Before we get going on this, I have to give you a pretty big caveat: I suck at DIYs. Guaranteed I will figure out every way it can go wrong, hot glue my electricity bill to the table, and invariably have to run back to Michaels 47 times. Which is why I’m the ideal person to tell you how to make this adorable, new big sister / big brother gift, perfect for the big trip to the hospital to meet the new little one. It’s super-easy and totally mom-brain-proofed. (I should mention if you want actual DIYs that will rock your socks, you should head over to A Beautiful Mess or Oh Happy Day and hold onto your hats.)

First, you’re going to assemble the supplies. I actually forgot to include one of the things in the photo (I didn’t say the blog post was Kara-proofed) so here’s a full list:

THE SUPPLIES!
-1-2 sheets of foam paper (this is for the crown part so make it a regal color)
-a box or a bunch of chipboard shapes (these go on sale all of the time so wait until then if you can)
-a roll of double-sided stickers (or a glue gun if you’ve got all the bills put away)
-scissors
-not pictured, but you still need ‘em: foam letters (I might invest in two boxes if you’re going to be making multiples of these because the Bs and Ss go fast)

1. Now, here’s where it starts to get intense. Ready? You’re going to want to take your foam sheet the long way and cut out the crown shape. As you can see I just did it freehand because it makes it more artistic and I always say why spend time finding a ruler when you can instead pass yourself off as a free spirit?

2. Sort out your letters. Depending on whether or not you listened to me, this may also involve 2a. Drive back to Michael’s and purchase a second box.

3. Holy cow, we’re really getting going now. You’re going to want to put stickers on the backs of the letters and stars (whoops, pull out some stars), but don’t remove the backing. Also, please ignore my desperately-in-need-of-a-manicure fingers.

4. Here’s why you don’t want to remove the backing – because we’re fancy, we’re going to pre-place the letters so we can get everything all lined up. What’s next? Prom dresses at breakfast?

5. Once you have them where you want them, go to town and get rid of the sticker backing.

6. All right, so I might have overlooked one step. Unless your big sister / brother has the world’s tiniest head they’re probably going to need an extender. So I’d still add the row of stickers to the end as shown above (leaving the backing on so mom can make it fit their head properly), but I’d also add in a rectangle strip of matching foam board with stickers on each end in case it ends up being too small. Like I said, I find all the trouble spots for ya…

And, voíla! The finished product! Well, with the addition of a really cool t-shirt that you can buy right over here in a bunch of different colors.

And, because products are always better when modeled by adorable nieces, here it is in action. Can someone please get this kid a JCPenney catalog modeling contract, stat? That chin tilt is perfection!

And, you’ll be happy to know it’s still getting plenty of use even six months after the fact. Look at how well it still fits! And, okay, this last part is maybe just a thinly veiled excuse to post a photo of my ridiculously cute nephew, but so worth it, am I right?