Parenting...Again?!! Freebie Friday: A Christmas Gift Made From Your Own Photos
- Stacy Sanchez
- Dec 19, 2025
- 3 min read
You Can Turn Real Photos of Their Grandchildren into a Coloring & Activity Book using ChatGPT (no tech skills required)
This coloring book is a keepsake gift.
Not fancy.
Not perfect.
But deeply personal.
You’re taking real photos you already have and turning them into a coloring and activity book your grandchild will treasure.
This is what it will look like:
What You’re Making
A small homemade coloring & activity book using:
Actual photos of your grandchildren
Simple black-and-white coloring pages made from those photos
Name puzzles using their names
Optional extras to make it feel special
You can make:
One book per child
Or one shared “cousin book”
What You’ll Need
Supplies
A phone or computer (to access photos)
A printer (home or library)
White printer paper
Stapler or hole punch & ribbon
Crayons or colored pencils
Optional Extras
Cardstock for the cover
Stickers
Dollar bills
Ribbon or twine
A handwritten note
Step 1: Choose the Photos
Pick simple, clear photos:
Faces showing
Not too dark
Everyday moments are perfect:
Baking
Playing
Holding hands
Reading
Helping in the kitchen
Sitting together
You only need 3–6 photos for a lovely little book.
Step 2: Upload the Photo to ChatGPT
Open ChatGPT
Tap the photo/image icon
Upload one photo at a time
👉 Don’t worry about editing first. ChatGPT will help.
Step 3: Ask ChatGPT to Turn the Photo into a Coloring Page
After uploading the photo, type exactly this:
“Please turn this photo into a simple black-and-white coloring page.
Keep clean, clear outlines.
No shading.
Easy for a child to color.”
That’s it.
ChatGPT will convert the photo into line art suitable for printing.
If you want it simpler, you can also say:
“Make the lines bolder and simpler for young children.”
Step 4: Repeat for Each Photo
Upload the next photo and repeat the same request.
Each photo becomes:
One coloring page
Featuring your actual grandchild
This is what makes the book special.
Step 5: Create Puzzles Using Their Names
Now you’ll add fun activity pages.
Name Search Puzzle
Type this:
“Create a simple name search puzzle for a child named [Child’s Name].
Include these words: Grandma, Grandpa, Christmas, Love.
Make it easy and kid-friendly.”
ChatGPT will:
Create the puzzle
Include the word list
You just print it
Step 6: Optional Faith or Encouragement Pages
If you’d like gentle encouragement:
“Create a simple coloring page with the words:
‘You are loved’
Include hearts and stars.”
Or faith-based:
“Create a black-and-white coloring page with the words:
‘God loves you.’
Keep it simple and child-friendly.”
Step 7: Put the Book Together
Suggested Order
Cover page (you can write the title by hand!)
“My Christmas Coloring Book”
“Made Just for You”
Coloring pages (from photos)
Puzzle pages
Final page that says: “Made with love by Grandma & Grandpa”
Step 8: Bind the Book (Very Easy Options)
Option 1: Stapled (Easiest)
Stack pages
Fold in half
Staple along the fold
Option 2: Ribbon Binding
Punch holes along the left side
Thread ribbon through
Tie a bow
Option 3: Spiral Binding
Office stores can spiral-bind for a few dollars
Makes it feel like a “real book”
Step 9: Make It Extra Special (Optional)
🎨 Coloring Supplies Gift
Wrap colored pencils with a dollar bill
Tie with ribbon
Add a note: “For coloring—and something special later”
💌 Personal Note
Slip in a handwritten note:
“I made this just for you because I love you.”
⭐ Sticker Cover
Let your grandchild decorate the cover themselves.
A Gentle Reminder for Grandparents
This does not need to be perfect.
Your grandchild won’t care if:
The lines aren’t exact
The pages aren’t straight
The binding isn’t fancy
They will care that:
It’s them
It’s their name
It’s from you
That’s what makes it a gift.
Final Encouragement
If you can:
Take a photo
Upload it
Print paper
You can do this.
And you’re not doing it alone.
If you get stuck, you can always ask ChatGPT:
“Help me make this easier.”
❤️✏️🎄
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