Picture Perfect Gift Ideas

Say "Cheeeeese!"!! If you're like me, the only time I am actually IN a picture is if we get someone else to take it, otherwise I am behind the camera. This is the time of year that seems perfect for getting a family photo for Christmas cards and just to update your frames. 
I am a huge fan of using photos as gifts! I know to some it may seem corny or cheap or just plain dumb, but what do you give the parents and grandparents who have everything?!?

Shutterfly photo mugs

 I love Shutterfly for photo gifts and prints...they have a ton of ideas from collages to mugs, calendars, and more. I actually gave these photo mugs with personalized photo cards for Father's Day this year and they were a big hit! And, they didn't break the bank, which was a huge plus!

Here are a few other photo gift ideas that you can make online or use already printed photos:

Scrapbook page framed--frames at Hobby Lobby are around $20, so wait til they are on sale!

Canvas prints--My friend  and neighbor, Traci, (check out her blog!) always does our family photos and she orders from a professional photo printing if I ask her to...for super quality, ask your photographer about this, otherwise, sites like Shutterfly, Snapfish, Wal-mart and the like will probably be just fine.

Collage--online or make it yourself

Photo Coasters--online or make them yourself using tiles, cork squares, Modge Podge, and sealer--I made these for Mother's Day a couple years ago...you can even put them on mini plate racks to display!

Calendars--online or make it yourself---way cute to personalize with kids' photos!

Photo Books--These are way cool and easy to put together online! You can even make "story books" where you can type in things you want to say about the photos, etc.

You can start by downloading your favorite photos to your favorite photo service site (which is the longest part of the process usually) and then click and play with them to see what you can come up with!
   If you have a favorite photographer, ask them about photo gifts or if you have the rights to use the pics they've taken of you and your family to make your own gifts. Be sure not to use them without their permission! Also, don't forget that some of your own candid, fun snapshots are just as meaningful as posed or professional photos so don't discount your own, even if you are not a fabulous photographer!

And don't forget the shots that are fun and don't even involve people! I took this one on vacation a couple weeks ago.