What grandparent would not cherish a Christmas gift featuring a prize-winning shot of their grandchildren? It’s a question I stopped asking my parents shortly after my daughter was born. They know by now that every Christmas (or any special occasion for that matter) they will be unwrapping some type of gift that bears the photo of their one and only granddaughter. (What more could they ask for, right?)
My daughter is now three years old, so the trick is finding new items each holiday. If you are tired of giving framed photos of your children to the grandparents and are looking for fresh ways to turn digital memories into one-of-a-kind keepsakes you hit the jackpot with this blog.
The following is a running list of photo-inspired gifts I have kept for the last year or so. Each time I see a new offering I jot it down in my notebook. The options listed below are ones I have already created or ones I feel are worth the money to purchase. See what you think:
Wal-Mart can turn your prized pics into Christmas ornaments for about $10 each. In addition, both Wal-Mart and Walgreens allow you to add your digital images to items such as teddy bears ($25), coffee mugs ($14), T-shirts ($17), sweatshirts ($25), ties ($20), and canvas totes ($25). You can even get a picture of your newborn transferred on a diaper bag ($50). That might be a nice gift option for a new mom. However, if your loved one is a parent to a four-legged child you might want to opt for custom made photo pet gifts such as a dog bowl or leash featuring a picture of their pooch ($20).
Kinko’s is another place I have found a number of great photo-inspired gift options. Unlike Target and Walgreens, Kinkos has an extensive variety of calendars that feature up to 18 of your best images. You can choose from the affordable year-on-a-page ($6.99) and monthly tear-off ($10.99). Kinkos also offers a large selection of photo magnets ($5.99); luggage tags ($8.95) and drink coasters ($19.95 for a set of four).
If you are looking for a really unique item your best bet is to shop online. Websites such as CafePress.com offer hundreds of products that incorporate images uploaded directly from your home computer.
In a previous blog I detailed Apple’s iPhoto software, which is useful for creating custom photo books using images on your hard drive. It’s so easy to make I don’t see how it hasn’t put photo labs out of business. You simply create a library of photos and click on the “book” button to initiate the process. You can choose from more than a dozen designs. Hardcover photo books are $29.99 for 20 double-sided letter-size pages, with up to 100 additional pages at 99 cents each. While medium-size soft cover and wire-bound books are even cheaper, $9.99 for 20 double-sided 6-by-8-inch pages (49 cents per extra page).
Other Photo Gift Ideas:
Making Christmas Ornaments From Your Favorite Photographs
Showing Off the “Lights of Your Life”
Fun Photo Project: Photo Flowers
Travel Tips: Keeping the Memories Alive
Fun Photo Projects—Thank You Cards
Creating A Fabulous Photo Wall
Photography Potpourri—-NO To “Cheese” and YES to Hats