Most people don’t expect or even necessarily want extravagant gifts. What they want is to feel loved and valued. The good news is you don’t need to spend a lot of money to do this. Our advice: make it personal. And photos make personalizing extra easy. Take time picking out photos that will make someone’s day and put pen to paper and let the recipient know what the memories mean to you and why you wanted to share them. The beauty of receiving a gift is knowing that the giver was thinking of you and a gift of personal memories shared through photos and words will let anyone know that they are loved. Read on for some of our favorite personalized gift ideas that also happen to be budget-friendly.
Softcover Photobook - $22
Give a gift that will get priority placement on a coffee table or prominent shelf. The same templates and book-making process as our Hardcover Photo Book in a zine-style Softcover Photo Book! This sleek alternative has larger pages and a lighter look and feel. The softcover makes these books perfect for page flipping and since they’re so affordable, you might just want to make one for multiple people on your list.
Each book contains 38 pages printed on 100% recycled photo paper, perfectly bound in a soft matte cover. Choose between 20 and 228 photos with a customizable cover. Make these right on your phone in the Print Studio app or head to the site for more layout options including multiple photos per page.
Metal Prints - Starting at $14
Metal Prints are the sleek, modern sister of Canvas Prints (which we still love, by the way. Canvas Prints start at $30, so consider these an Honorable Mention in this guide). We loved our Metal Prints so much, we created them in 35 sizes and added round and panoramic options too! Why do we love them so? Colors really pop on metal and these prints make a beautiful addition to a gallery wall or can hold their own printed solo. Family photos or other images featuring people look especially nice on metal.
Metal Prints are light and installation is effortless with the sawtooth hanger that comes installed on the reverse. No framing needed! The smallest 4x4 size is perfect for printing Instagram photos and 11 of the 35 sizes fall into this $30 and under category.
Mini Stickers - Set of 2 books for $20
For the DIYer in your life, we present you Mini Stickers! They’re awesome for sticking to… everything. Each sticker is just 2cm square, so they’re the perfect size for adding additional flair to a travel journal, a baby’s scrapbook, or a planner to note birthdays and important events.
Stickers come in two little booklets, each with 126 stickers for a total of 252 stickers. You can print each sticker as a unique image or print that one weird photo of your friend 252 times.
Photostrips - Set of 9 for $12
A retro fave, our Photo Strips are a great addition to a gift or fun surprise for that aunt or cousin you may not always exchange gifts with. We take your photos, and turn them into a photobooth style strip printed on thick luster photo paper with a semi-gloss finish. Our strips make great wrapping accessories or card inserts in addition to all of the DIY possibilities they present. (Lots more DIY inspiration on our blog!)
Strips come in sets of 9 and each photo measures 1.6 x 1.6” for a total size of 7.3 x 1.9”. Want bigger photo strips? Check out our Giant Photo Strips! They also fall under the $30 and under category at just $24 for a set of two.
Mini Squares - Set of 48 for $17
Mini Squares were made for DIY. At 2.4 x 2.4”, these little minis are an ideal way to get Instagram photos printed and into the hands of your favorite DIYer. These aren’t limited to just Instagram though! Print straight from your camera roll in the Print Studio app or your desktop on our site. The possibilities for these little prints are endless, but some of our favorites are DIY wall art and scrapbooks of all types.
Printed on the smooth matte cardstock we’re known for, these prints come in sets of 48 and are a delight in the hands and sure to make your recipient smile at the possibilities for crafting and decorating.
Magnets - From $18 a set
Our Magnets are the perfect size for slipping inside a stocking. Quality, durable, and cute, Magnets take memories and turn them into a beautiful display for your fridge or file cabinet. Don't have the photos you want to turn into little magnetic gifts for them? Ask to borrow their phone and quickly message yourself some of their best photos and turn them into little magnetic works of art.
Magnets come in 2x2” and 3x3” squares and 1x1” round.
Mini Books - Set of 2 for $20
Wow someone on your list with a whole miniature photo album tucked inside their stocking. They’ll be expecting to pull out something generic and will be delighted to find a little book with 50 thoughtfully curated photos spiral bound into a book they can take anywhere. Just the right size for tucking into a center console or stashing in a purse, these books can truly go anywhere.
Mini Book come in sets of two. Choose 50 photos for two identical books or upload 100 for two unique books.
Ornaments - $15
Described by one customer as “grandparent catnip” these metal ornaments are truly a great gift for friends and family of any age. These work for school portraits, pet snaps, family photos, or any treasured picture. Each ornament is a keepsake, but over time, the collection is priceless.
Ornaments are twirl-ready with the selected photo printed on both sides and they come in your choice of four shapes shapes: circle, star, hexagon or heart.
The gift of memories is one of the absolute best options for affordable and meaningful gift giving. Printed photographs offer a way to capture life’s best moments and preserve them in real, tangible form to enjoy for years to come. Slow down, take time to sort through the many photos you likely have trapped in your phone or camera, and think about how you could share those moments with the people you love the most. Budget-friendly doesn’t have to be boring!
We can’t wait to see what Social Print Studio gifts you make for the special women in your life this holiday. Share with us by tagging us @socialps on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. And check out our other gift guides for kids, teens and tweens, him, and her.
