# Gifts for your roommate

URL: https://madeupmerch.jackmccarthy020.workers.dev/ideas/gifts-for-your-roommate/
Updated: 2026-10-23

You know exactly what they did with the last of the oat milk. Now you can have it framed.

**Short answer:** Put them on trial: a framed courtroom sketch of your roommate charged with something petty, like setting the thermostat to 64 and lying about it. For something softer, their usual 2 AM order as a giant pillow, or a flag for your apartment's made-up nation.

## The picks

1. [Courtroom Sketch](https://madeupmerch.jackmccarthy020.workers.dev/court/) (Framed print): Your roommate on trial for the petty charge of your choice, sketched in pastel and charcoal, with the case number and a verdict stamp. Framed in black, white or red oak.
2. [Big Snack](https://madeupmerch.jackmccarthy020.workers.dev/snack/) (Shaped pillow, stickers, magnets): Their usual 2 AM order as one giant pillow for the couch you share, painted to look delicious or made to look like a plush toy.
3. [Flag Foundry](https://madeupmerch.jackmccarthy020.workers.dev/flag/) (Flag): Found the Republic of Apartment 4B, design its flag together, and hang the 12 x 18 in one in the window.
4. [Left On Read](https://madeupmerch.jackmccarthy020.workers.dev/bubble/) (Shaped pillow, stickers, magnets): Their most iconic text to the house chat, like did you eat my leftovers, as a pillow with the read receipt underneath.
5. [Group Chat Tapestry](https://madeupmerch.jackmccarthy020.workers.dev/tapestry/) (Wall tapestry): The house chat's worst night, woven like a medieval tapestry, for the living room wall you both have to look at.

## Keep the charge small

The best roommate gifts are about the stuff you both live with: the thermostat, the dishes, the one bite of cereal left in the box. Big grievances don't frame well.

On [Courtroom Sketch](https://madeupmerch.jackmccarthy020.workers.dev/court/) you name the defendant and type the charge. The court writes it up in legalese, gives it a case number, rules on it and stamps a verdict, anything from GUILTY or CONTEMPT to ON PROBATION or ACQUITTED. If it comes back harsher than you meant, untick the stamp and the print leaves the verdict off.

## What the sketch shows

The drawing doesn't try to look like your roommate. Names are kept out of the picture and the defendant is drawn as a generic person, TV courtroom style, in pastel and charcoal. Their name prints on the caption underneath: THE PEOPLE v. and then theirs.

## Questions people ask

### Will the courtroom sketch look like my roommate?

No. The defendant is drawn as a generic figure and real names never go into the drawing. Their name prints on the caption.

### Can I put my roommate's cat on trial instead?

Yes. Animals take the stand in a tiny suit, and objects like the dishwasher can be defendants too.

### What sizes is the courtroom sketch?

A framed print in 16 x 12 or 24 x 18 in, in a black, white or red oak frame.

## Or just make one

- [Courtroom Sketch](https://madeupmerch.jackmccarthy020.workers.dev/court/): Put your roommate on trial. Get the courtroom sketch.
- [Big Snack](https://madeupmerch.jackmccarthy020.workers.dev/snack/): Type your usual order. Get it as a giant pillow.
- [Flag Foundry](https://madeupmerch.jackmccarthy020.workers.dev/flag/): Make up a country. Design its flag. Fly it.