The first time I saw Lovopoly, I knew it would be the perfect gift for me to make for my first anniversary with Jon. I can't believe it was so long ago that we were together. We're working on year four and still going strong (and living together)! I feel like this game was one of the most labor intensive things I've ever made for Jon. I really love making gifts for people, and I had to do it big the first time around. If you want to make a Lovopoly game or any other version of Monopoly, be sure you have enough time allotted, because it's not something you can do in a weekend.
MATERIALS
A game board (I bought a game from Goodwill with a fold out game board. You can also buy an actual Monopoly game so it has all the pieces.)
Paint
Cardstock (White and in assorted colors)
Mod Podge
Dice (2)
Monopoly houses and hotels (You can order these on Ebay)
Game pieces (These can come with the game you buy or you can make your own)
Clear packaging tape
Pictures
Markers
Large sponge brush or paint brush
Computer, paper and printer
DIRECTIONS
Game Board
1. Paint the game board whatever color you prefer. I chose black so it would cover up everything else that was on the original game board.
2. While the board dries, cut out 36 rectangular pieces of white cardstock of equal size for the game board and four square pieces for the corners.
3. Cut out long, rectangular pieces for the properties on the board. You'll need eight different colors. Figure out which ones need three and which need two.
4. Type up and print out the names and costs of the properties for your game board. I chose properties that were significant to Jon and me, such as Louisiana Tech (where we met and went to school), Bossier City and DeRidder (where we're from), and Istanbul and Australia (the #1 places on each of our travel lists). Instead of the railroads, I did four different cruise lines, and instead of the utilities, I did a drive-in movie and a picnic in the park. Instead of jail, I did the dog house. Instead of Community Chest and Chance, I did Family Jewels and Get Lucky. Get creative! It was so fun to come up with property and card types.
5.Use mod podge to glue the colored rectangular pieces, property names and costs onto the game board as needed. You can also place some pictures on certain spaces. Use markers to decorate and label anything else as needed.
6. Use the sponge or paint brush to paint mod podge all over the game board when it looks how you want it.
Money
1. Cut pieces of cardstock into rectangles, using seven different colors.
-- 20 $500 bills
-- 20 $100 bills
-- 30 $50 bills
-- 50 $20 bills
-- 40 $10 bills
-- 40 $5 bills
-- 40 $1 bills
2. I cut round circles of seven different pictures - 3 of Jon, 3 of me, and 1 of the both of us. I printed these on regular paper. Glue these to the center of the cardstock.
3. Use a black marker to write the dollar amount on the dollar bills.
4. Optional extra step: Use mod podge to paint over the entire dollar bill.
Property cards
1. Type up the information for the cards. Do a simple Google search or look at the actual Monopoly cards to get the rent prices and all of the other information for the cards.
2. Cut white cardstock into rectangles for the property cards.
3. Coordinate the colors on the board with the colors on the card, and use mod podge to glue the cardstock onto the property cards.
4. I chose to write out the names of the property on each of the cards, but you can also print it out like the rest of the information on the card.
5. Optional extra step: Use clear package tape to cover the entire card to give it a laminated feel. Alternatively, you can also actually laminate the card.
Community Chest and Chance Cards
I changed this to Family Jewels and Get Lucky.
1. Type up "Family Jewels" and "Get Lucky" in different fonts into rectangles.
2. Type up whatever you want for the cards. Be sure to include "Get out of the Dog House free" cards and cards that will make the players pay or receive money.
3. Print these out and cut them up.
4. Use mod podge to glue these onto pieces of cardstock.
5. Optional extra step: Use clear packaging tape to cover the cards to make it look like it was laminated.
Additional steps
1. Cut out pictures of you and your significant other to use as game pieces. I taped pictures to game pieces that were included in the game I bought.
2. Wrap the game box in wrapping paper (I turned some wrapping paper onto the white side).
This was the original box the game was in.
3. Use markers or paint to decorate the box.
4. Collect everything into small boxes or Ziploc bags and place in the box with the game board.
5. Give to your significant other and prepared to be showered with lots of love.
6. And of course, PLAY IT! It'll be even more fun because it's personal to both of you.
I know my steps were pretty vague, but once you get started, it's pretty easy to proceed to the next step. I had a lot of fun putting all of this together for my boyfriend, and he loved it! If you have any questions or need clarification on any of the tips or need any tips, I'd be happy to help!
Have you ever made a Lovopoly game or any other homemade board game?
This post is for the #SummerBloggerChallenge. This week's prompt: Write a tutorial. This can be a Craft/DIY project, a make-up tutorial, skincare routine, nail art, outfit tutorial, absolutely anything you like as long as it includes written instructions.
This is seriously the cutest thing ever! I wish this was a way to customize this online because I don't know if I'd have the energy to do it all myself! Seriously this is the BEST DIY project I've ever seen. I know your boyfriend must have loved it <3
Yay! I'm glad you liked it. You can also make it for a friend or family member and call it something cheesy like "Friendopoly" or "Bestieopoly" or "Famopoly."
I'm sure there are some customizable Monopoly games out there. It would be so much easier just to order it! He did love it, and after he saw this post today, he complained about how long it's been since we played it, so I guess we'll be playing it soon!
Oh my gosh, this is sooooo cute!! I know it's summer, but I hope I have the time and resources to make one in the future! (Imagine an "famopoly", haha. That'll be pretty insane to play with your family).
We actually just played last night! We hadn't played it for awhile, but when he saw the post he decided we had to. It was so much fun. I feel like we're going to start breaking it out more often.
Just wanted to day thanks for posting this with instructions! Over the weekend I was looking for 1st wedding anniversary gift ideas and stumbled across this. Love it and today am just about done with mine. Can't wait to give it to my husband this weekend. Yours turned out great, and offered great guidelines to follow!
That just made my night! I hope you have fun making your own board game! And then playing later. My boyfriend and I love to get out this game to play every once in awhile. It's so much more fun when it's personalized.
Hi Tiffany, I'm in the process of trying to make this for my husband! It is such a cute idea! I originally saw it on pinterest but am now looking for more of a step by step so I was so happy when I saw your post. My only question is if the mod podge will bleed the images. Did you use specific paper or a spray first? Any advice would be so helpful! Thank you! Christina
Hi Christina! What an awesome gift idea for your husband. I think he's going to love it! I didn't use any special kind of paper for anything I printed out. I just used regular copy paper. For the pictures, some were glossy and some were matte. In my experience, Mod Podge has never made the images bleed, so you're all set! Good luck with creating this awesome game!
Hello Tiffany, I just started this project today, and looking through pinterest I found your page. While looking through your pictures and steps I noticed the date you wrote on the box, And I have to say if I wasn't committed before I sure am now! I was married on that day and now I know this is the perfect thing to make my husband this Valentine's Day! Thank you so much! Fawn
Oh my goodness! That's so incredible! What a perfect day for love! Thank you so much for sharing that with me. It seriously warmed my heart. Good luck with creating your own Lovopoly game. I know your husband is going to love it!
Reading this made me so happy! I think this would be the perfect first wedding anniversary gift, and you can spend the night playing it together. All of the personalizations make it extra special. That's great that you're already almost done with yours. It's a lot of hard work, but it's definitely worth it when you see their reaction opening it, and it's even more awesome because you get to reap the benefits too!
You win best DIY! This is amazing! I don't think I would ever finish making it, haha.
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing!!! I want to be in a relationship right now just so I can make one! Pinned for when I find a guy again.
ReplyDeleteThis definitely looks like it was a labor of love-- but it turned out amazing! What a great idea!
ReplyDeleteThis is seriously so amazing! You are so creative!
ReplyDeleteAmazing. I would so not have the patience.
ReplyDeleteWow!! This is awesome!
ReplyDeleteOMG STOP. This is SO CUTE!! What an amazing DIY!
ReplyDeleteYou put a LOT of work in that! I would print out most of mine!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this! I think I'll definitely be making this in the future!! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a cute idea I don't think I would be patient enough to finish it tho!
ReplyDeleteSo cute, I love this idea
ReplyDeleteThis is seriously the cutest thing ever! I wish this was a way to customize this online because I don't know if I'd have the energy to do it all myself! Seriously this is the BEST DIY project I've ever seen. I know your boyfriend must have loved it <3
ReplyDeleteI love this!!! It's such a good idea and so cute! You spent so much time on it, I'm sure he loves it :)
ReplyDeleteOh, this is so awesome and unique, great idea.
ReplyDeleteOMG THIS IS AMAZING! Such a unique and special idea!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! It's one of my favorite craft projects that I've ever done.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! It was really time consuming, but I was determined!
ReplyDeleteYay! I'm glad you liked it. You can also make it for a friend or family member and call it something cheesy like "Friendopoly" or "Bestieopoly" or "Famopoly."
ReplyDeleteIt definitely took a lot of my time, but it was totally worth it!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
ReplyDeleteI still can't believe I did. I was so determined to finish it though.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amy! I love it too.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Rachael!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ashleigh! I'm still obsessed with it even though it's from a couple years ago. Probably my favorite DIY I've ever done.
ReplyDeleteIt was a lot of work, but it was totally worth it. After awhile, I wish I had printed everything out too!
ReplyDeleteYou totally should! It's time consuming, but that'll just make it that much more awesome whenever you do finally get to play it.
ReplyDeleteThank you! It definitely took a lot of time, but I felt awesome after I finished it.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Paris! I'm glad you like it.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure there are some customizable Monopoly games out there. It would be so much easier just to order it! He did love it, and after he saw this post today, he complained about how long it's been since we played it, so I guess we'll be playing it soon!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Raewyn! It was a fun (and time consuming) project, but I think he loved it as much as I did. I'm happy I still get to reap the benefits!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Daniela! I'm glad you like it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kallie! It took up so much of my time, but it was worth it. I still love it as much as when I first finished it.
ReplyDeleteAwwwww how cute! Love this!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, this is sooooo cute!!
ReplyDeleteI know it's summer, but I hope I have the time and resources to make one in the future!
(Imagine an "famopoly", haha. That'll be pretty insane to play with your family).
WOW! This is adorable but looks like it definitely took some time! You're so crafty ;)
ReplyDeleteThis is so cute! I HAVE to have something like this for me and Darell!
ReplyDeletedo you guys still play it often?
ReplyDeleteWe actually just played last night! We hadn't played it for awhile, but when he saw the post he decided we had to. It was so much fun. I feel like we're going to start breaking it out more often.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
ReplyDeleteFamopoly would be so much fun! Everyone could have their own piece with their picture on it. I love it!
ReplyDeleteIt took a good chunk of my time, but it was totally worth it, especially since I still reap the benefits of it. It's so much fun!
ReplyDeleteYou should! Monopoly is fun, but playing a version of Monopoly where it's all about you two is even more fun!
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to day thanks for posting this with instructions! Over the weekend I was looking for 1st wedding anniversary gift ideas and stumbled across this. Love it and today am just about done with mine. Can't wait to give it to my husband this weekend.
ReplyDeleteYours turned out great, and offered great guidelines to follow!
aww, this makes me happy!!
ReplyDeleteI was looking for step by step instructions and I'm so happy I came across this - thanks!!! :)
ReplyDeleteYay! I'm so happy you stumbled onto this post, then. If you have any questions, feel free to shoot me an email!
ReplyDeleteOH MY GOSH! Thank you!!! I've been looking for something like this all week! you are amazing!!!
ReplyDeleteThat just made my night! I hope you have fun making your own board game! And then playing later. My boyfriend and I love to get out this game to play every once in awhile. It's so much more fun when it's personalized.
ReplyDeleteHi Tiffany, I'm in the process of trying to make this for my husband! It is such a cute idea! I originally saw it on pinterest but am now looking for more of a step by step so I was so happy when I saw your post. My only question is if the mod podge will bleed the images. Did you use specific paper or a spray first? Any advice would be so helpful! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteChristina
Hi Christina! What an awesome gift idea for your husband. I think he's going to love it! I didn't use any special kind of paper for anything I printed out. I just used regular copy paper. For the pictures, some were glossy and some were matte. In my experience, Mod Podge has never made the images bleed, so you're all set! Good luck with creating this awesome game!
ReplyDeleteHello Tiffany,
ReplyDeleteI just started this project today, and looking through pinterest I found your page. While looking through your pictures and steps I noticed the date you wrote on the box, And I have to say if I wasn't committed before I sure am now! I was married on that day and now I know this is the perfect thing to make my husband this Valentine's Day! Thank you so much!
Fawn
Oh my goodness! That's so incredible! What a perfect day for love! Thank you so much for sharing that with me. It seriously warmed my heart. Good luck with creating your own Lovopoly game. I know your husband is going to love it!
ReplyDeleteWow Such a awesome idea!!! Will be working on it this weekend. Do you have the sizes of the properties and spaces on the board?
ReplyDeleteYay! That's so awesome! The corner spaces are squares, and they're 2.5" x 2.5" and the property spaces on 1.5" long and 2.5" tall. Hope that helps!
ReplyDeletethis is so adorable!
ReplyDeleteSuch an adorable DIY
ReplyDeleteReading this made me so happy! I think this would be the perfect first wedding anniversary gift, and you can spend the night playing it together. All of the personalizations make it extra special. That's great that you're already almost done with yours. It's a lot of hard work, but it's definitely worth it when you see their reaction opening it, and it's even more awesome because you get to reap the benefits too!
ReplyDelete