Top 5 Photo Gift Ideas | Holiday Gift Guide

Turn on the Christmas music, it’s HOLIDAY SEASON! This season just brings so much joy. The festive mood, twinkling lights, good food, cozy nights, more time with the people we love. After a year of COVID and not being able to travel home to Michigan as easily to see our family, or heck, even be with our friends here in Buffalo as freely as we once were… I’ve come to appreciate my loved ones even more. Having time together and making memories with them has been something I’ve missed dearly this year. Have you been feeling this way, too? Have you been able to see your family regularly throughout the chaos of 2020?

OK getting back on track. As I’ve been prepping for the season, I wanted to share a gift guide of photo related gifts, perfect for anyone! Especially those hard to buy for family members. (We all have them.)

Here are my top 5 photo centered gift ideas for this holiday season.

1. Framed Artwork

Framed photo gifts are one of my go-to’s, always. It’s so important to have printed photos of your memories and to not just let them die on social media. Not only is it meaningful, but it doubles as home decor and that’s a win in my book!

If you have had a session with me, open your photo gallery and click PRINT STORE to browse the variety of frame style and color options available. If you know someone who has had a session with me and would like to surprise them with a beautifully framed photo, please send me an email and I’ll get it taken care of for you!

2. Gift Certificates

Give the gift of an experience with a photo session. Gift certificates are perfect for families, newlyweds to book a First Anniversary session, or even for parents. When was the last time your parents had professional photos together? I’d be willing to bet it was their own wedding. Give them a reason to get dressed up, spend intentional time connecting, and enjoy a nice dinner afterwards.

3. Keepsake Albums

If your goal is to make them cry, keepsake photo albums are the gift you need. If you’ve recently gotten married, photo albums make for such a meaningful gift to parents or grandparents. Write a special message on the inside cover to make it that much more personal. If you’ve had family photos taken, consider a smaller album, lovingly referred to as the “Grandparent Brag Book” because they will be showing it to everyone they know!

There is something so special about having your beloved photos preserved in a family heirloom album and nicely displayed on your bookshelf or coffee table.

NOTE: You can order albums year round, but to arrive in time for Christmas, all albums must be ordered, designed, and approved by November 24!

*BONUS ALBUM IDEA!* Start the tradition of creating a family yearbook. Have everyone in the family contribute their favorite photos and memories over the past year and create an album that includes them all. Yes, iPhone photos are totally fine for this!! Start a new tradition of looking at past family yearbooks each holiday season, and looking at the newest one together. If you don’t have time for this and would like me to take it off your plate, I’ve got you covered 😉

4. Kitschy Photo Gifts

Think photos on playing cards, puzzles, photo coasters, pillows, socks with YOUR face on them… the list could go on. This category is the perfect combo of cheesy and fun. Get creative!

5. Customized Photo Calendars

In our house we always have a family calendar! It hangs in the kitchen above our bar cart and as we flip to the page to start a new month, it’s so fun to see memories from the past year. This idea is all credit to my husbands Aunt and Uncle, who take the time putting it together for everyone. You could also do a more modern desk calendar to spruce up your work from home office space.

There you have it, the top 5 photo gift ideas! Did this help you check a present off your list for someone? If you would like to talk more about gift certificates or albums, please don’t hesitate to reach out! You can’t go wrong giving a meaningful present to be cherished for years to come. Happy Gifting!