Photo Gifts Worth Way More Than 1000 Words

That old adage about a picture being worth a thousand words carries new meaning. It's 2019 and our social spheres are flooded by virtual visuals that leave little space for the more classic photo moments. But, just because the fleeting likes of Instagram Stories and TikTok are monopolizing our sights doesn't mean the lasting power of a physical snapshot is lost on us. To prove it, we found the best giftable examples.

Going the old-school photo route is a savvy holiday-gift choice for three reasons: it's easy, affordable, and still uniquely personal. If you're yawning at the thought of lackluster calendar books and mousepads, don't worry — we're only featuring the trendiest of picture presents that money can buy. From instant-digital hybrid cameras to mug-shot picture pillows and unexpected frames, each of the tangible memory-keepers ahead is worth way more than a thousand words.

Artifact Uprising Modern Wall Calendar

While this may look like an aforementioned "lackluster calendar book," it's actually much more — Artifact Uprising gives the classic wall calendar an artful twist with a reimagined modern design that uses perforated edges for snapshots that can be repurposed and used once the dates expire.

Artifact Uprising Modern Wall Calendar, $, available at Artifact Uprising

Shutterfly Photo-Gallery Wine Glass

Gift them a set of stemless glassware that's personalized with their favorite photo (or face).

Shutterfly Photo Gallery Wine Glass, $, available at Shutterfly

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ibi Smart Photo Manager

Like a personal cloud, this smart photo manager is an easy, go-to gift for anyone with more photos and videos saved on their phone than they know what to do with. ibi will help any budding photographer/influencer/travel enthusiast collect, organize and privately share their photos and videos.

Western Digital ibi Smart Photo Manager, $, available at Western Digital

Snap Instant Digital Camera

This top-rated gadget totes all the fast retro fun of an instant-film camera but coupled with digital photo-uploading capabilities.

Polaroid Snap Instant Digital Camera (Pink), $, available at Amazon

Firebox Mushions

Give the gift of their face (or their pets') on a literal cushion. This funky British photo-personalization site ships worldwide and will print your mug on, well, just about anything.

Firebox Mushions, $, available at Firebox

Personalized Collage Planner

It's planner season — so why not make a splash by gifting one for 2020 with a personalized photo cover?

Zazzle Personalized Photo Collage Custom DIY Planner, $, available at Zazzle

Urban Outfitters Mini Instax Photo Frame

A clever and stylish way for giftees to display all of their Mini Instax prints.

Urban Outfitters Mini Instax Acrylic Album Photo Frame, $, available at Urban Outfitters

Custom-Printed Photo Cookies

Nothing screams the holidays like a batch of fresh-baked cookies with your giftee's face printed on every last sugary crumb.

Inkedibles Custom Printed Sugar Cookies (18), $, available at Etsy

Printworks Photo Album

Gift them a blank canvas to color in with their favorite memories. This stylish coffee-table book is covered in linen and filled with 30 paper pages just waiting to be personalized with photos, postcards, and notes.

Printworks Photo Album, $, available at Anthropologie

Polaroid Photo Printer Lab

Giftees can transform their Instagrams into polaroids with the press of a button, thanks to this compact-printing gadget with throwback flair.

Polaroid Originals Photo Printer Lab, $, available at Urban Outfitters

Custom Photo Playing Cards

A custom card deck that makes them the queen of hearts in every hand.

Zazzle Custom Playing Cards, $, available at Zazzle

Oliver Bonas Beaded Hanging Frame

Table frames may be mundane, but hanging beaded picture keepers are gift catnip — hang them from windows, walls, or holiday trees.

Oliver Bonas Beaded Hanging Photo Frame 2x2", $, available at Oliver Bonas

Custom-Printed Photo Socks

Now they can wear their pup pride on their feet with a pair of photo socks that are custom printed with their beloved pet's cuddly mug.

MyPupSocks Custom Printed Photo Socks, $, available at Amazon

Minted Framed Heart-Photo Collage

Give photo collages a cohesive and heartfelt new name with this sweet gift idea that can be personalized with 30 different snapshots.


Minted Heart Snapshot Mix Framed Photo Art, $, available at Minted

Custom Photo Magnets

These hand-cut and crafted custom face-photo magnets make for uniquely thoughtful stocking stuffers.

WoodcraftCentral Faces Custom Refrigerator Magnets, $, available at Etsy

Framebridge The Holiday Duo

When in doubt, go to the classic route. Framebridge makes printing, packaging, and gifting your most cherished moments an elevated breeze with its elegant pair of matching frames — that will ship within 4-6 days post order.



Framebridge The Holiday Duo, $, available at Framebridge

from Refinery29