PW4GDF

Thinking ahead to Christmas. I like to give my friends and family something that I have made that features my photographs. But this year I just have no ideas. Yes there are plenty of ideas on the internet, drug store calendars etc. Many will go overseas so it has to be lightweight and small. Just thought I would ask if anyone has ideas?
Thanks,

cabunit Loc: SE Connecticut

You've no doubt thought of this, but here goes: I have made sets of greeting cards now and then, usually 8 or so, with the photos hand mounted onto blank cards from Michael's or AC Moore. I try to keep the subjects pretty generic and suitable for thank-yous, sympathy use, and so on.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

PW4GDF - You might want to check photographic gifts available from commercial labs like The Darkroom, Meridian Professional, and many others. Items include ornaments, magnets, mugs, cups, etc. Regards, Ralph

TommiRulz Loc: Corpus Christi, TX

One year I snuck around and got pictures of everyone's favorite pet, then I had throw blankets made on Snapfish. On black friday they have usually a 70% off sale. So I had all the items ready in my cart and bought them Black Friday. The blankets were GORGEOUS! It was a huge hit.
https://www.snapfish.com/photo-gift/woven-photo-blanket-details#!/pdpview

Also have made charm bracelets made at Shutterfly, they were very pretty too.

TommiRulz Loc: Corpus Christi, TX

Another fun idea for your older family members that don't love technology and keep all their pictures forever on the SD card.... Sneak over and steal the pictures off the camera, then make them a photo book with their own pictures! They love it !!

TommiRulz Loc: Corpus Christi, TX

Ok - one last thing,,,, check out a website called Artscow
http://www.artscow.com/photo-gifts/allbags
They have different things than most of the places like Snapfish and Shutterfly. But slow shipping.

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

You can't beat a calendar; it's light weight for mailing and just requires a large envelope. The recipient gets a gift every month when they turn the page.

Billy Bob

CALENDERS is your best bet. Check some here https://snapshots2010.smugmug.com/Other/My-Smug-Mug/ I make these every year for Christmas as a thank you gift, I HAVE 1000s of templates to do it.

Joecosentino Loc: Whitesboro, New York

A Lotmof the labs also have photo cubes or tree ornaments. Check out WHCC, millers, national photo labs

PW4GDF

Yes you are right, the calendars are always appreciated. They are easy to make and mail. I just feel I do not have many original pictures this year, and in my mind they have to be taken this year, so it is not too late to start. In fact I am going to the beach this morning as it is supposed to be stormy here in Florida and it may be interesting.
Thanks.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

One year I received as a gift a square block with 6 head pictures glued on: 2 parents and 4 kids. I have thought about putting pictures on a mounted globe of the earth. Too big for overseas shipping, but for your locals maybe.

hank6595 Loc: Amesbury, MA

Eight or nine years ago, I'll have to check, I took a boat trip around the lake on which I live. I photographed every residence around the lake. I transferred them to discs and inserted them in the Christmas cards that
I delivered to all the homes which I normally gave cards to each year. (about 20). I think its about time to do it again, as I've been asked when I'm going to do it again.

tHANKs

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Assemble a photo album of selected images you think people will enjoy most. Does not need to be a big album or contain large prints; people do appreciate small prints as well.

Photocraig

I've posted this sentiment before. We photographers get really wrapped up with print size. While it is a legitimate technical issue on the many levels it represents, a large print matted and framed takes up a huge amount of wall space in a home, and, usually, there might be ONLY ONE piece of art that merits that place of honor. It would be quite presumptuous to ship someone a large Panorama or whatever 3-4' wide matted and framed that can only fit that spot where they now have (in my case a large art piece that we love and spent several thousand dollars for).

Meanwhile a set of 4x6's or 5x7's matted and framed tastefully telling a story (HUH!?!?) of kids, pets, multi home views front back, winter spring summer fall etc.) that can fit elsewhere and enjoyed by the family members is a special thing. And, we're able to use our less than perfect but nicely composed, exposed and cropped photos that capture the personality of the people, pets and homes or toys or environments of all of them. For the viewer and recipient, it is the story, the subject and the creativity and time YOU are giving then that's the gift.

Meanwhile keep posting about your 48x60 Murals you get from you new GIGA Pixel Gas Suppressor. I'll listen with a little envy, still.

Merry Christmas. I'm off to my LR catalog to start a calendar.

PW4GDF

For the viewer and recipient, it is the story, the subject and the creativity and time YOU are giving then that's the gift.

Yes you are so right, I have decided on a calendar(s) just have to go through and see what I have done this year. I have also thought about a theme and there is still time. I went to the beach today thinking there would be nice stormy clouds and surf but it was not too impressive, but I took them anyway.
Thanks.