One of Disneyland’s longest running souvenirs are the pressed pennies available at stations throughout the resort. But over the years, several readers have asked me, “what do I do with those if I get them?” So I thought I’d share some ideas I’ve seen on Pinterest, Instagram, or even directly from crafting time with friends, so that you can make the most of your own collection.
1. Create a display frame
Get a shadow box or a standard picture frame with a material background (like cork or felt and carefully arrange your pennies inside. You can also stick a photo from your trip inside if it fits! Or, if you want your pennies to be the main focus, use mounting tape or removable adhesive dots to keep the pennies in place without damaging them.
2. Store them in a coin album
Disneyland actually sells specific albums for pressed pennies, or you can find a regular coin album at lots of different craft stores. You can usually find the Disney versions in the nearest gift shop to that pressed penny machine location.
3. Use them as magnets
You can find little adhesive magnets in tons of stores. Stick one onto the back of each penny, and you have a perfect way to keep your trip memory in your home.
4. Make a scrapbook of your trip
Put together a scrapbook with autographs, trip photos, tickets, etc., and then glue pennies on various pages.
5. Turn them into ornaments
With a little ribbon or twine (or an ornament frame if you don’t want to glue directly onto your penny), you can easily turn your pressed penny into the perfect ornament for your tree. A friend of mine strung hers together to create a little pressed penny wreath she hangs up every Christmas!
Source: Etsy
6. Add them to your park map
You can easily create some framed art in your home with another park souvenir: your map. Glue each penny onto the location where you pressed it and then place the map into a frame, and you’ll have a custom piece of art from your trip.
7. Keep them in a small glass jar
Another friend of mine keeps her penny collection in a little glass jar on her mantle. Every few years (or when her collection gets too big for the jar!), she pours them out, looks through them and remembers her trips, and then keeps her favorites.
8. Make a keychain
If you’re a little more ambitious, you can turn your penny into a keychain! Use a small jewelry kit (or keychain kit) and punch a hole near the top edge of the penny, then just string it onto a chain or cord. If you’re too intimidated to drill a hole, you can also use a pre-drilled bezel or coin holder to create the keychain.
9. Make a gift tag
If you have other Disney fans in your life you give gifts to, follow the same steps as you would for the keychain above. But string a ribbon through the hole instead of a cord and tie the ribbon to a gift bag or wrapped present to add a little Disney magic for the recipient.
10. Decorate your initial
Many craft stores sell foam letter blocks. Get one with your initial, and glue your pressed pennies all over it to create a shiny piece of home décor.
Whether you’re crafting a display, making something practical, or giving your collection a new purpose, there are so many things you can do with pressed pennies. I’m sure this list is just the tip of that iceberg!
Source: Pinterest