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10 Ways to Gift Fond Memories in an Emotionally Hard Year
Pictures and memories can be especially meaningful as gifts in a year when we spent so much time apart.
What could be better than giving the gift of good memories? Whether it’s for someone in your household or someone more distant, these gifts attempt to harness positivity and joy for future days and years. The options range from framing existing old prints to putting someone’s face on a sticker.
Not all memories need to be too serious — some should elicit laugher! Some of these are permanent and others allow for flexibility in the future. Typically, memories are priceless, but in this case, here are a few ways to capture them and send them to others in need of some good vibes.
Sticker Mule Die-Cut Stickers and Magnets
Those frames and books might be the more traditional ways to display photos, but there are hundreds of other ways to keep memories vivid. One idea for sparking joy with a photo is in the way it’s presented.
Sticker Mule has several options to make an impression with a photo. The company’s die-cut stickers or magnets are some of the best. I’ve made stickers of my family’s faces in the past and used them in place of signing our names on the Christmas presents we give to others. For example, writing “from” and then sticking the faces underneath. These managed to elicit smiles from all recipients which, in turn, made them worth the reasonable cost to create them.
Making your own funny faces or cropping a bright smiling face to send to someone for their refrigerator can go a long way in creating little moments of joy throughout their day. Even better is that Sticker Mule will automatically do all the cuts and get whatever photo you want to use ready. No photoshop skills are required on your end. It really couldn’t be easier to get started and confirm you like what it will look like before you get them in the mail.
To give the gift of future memories, Manual sells disposable cameras you mail back in order to get your photos sent back to you digitally. Why use a disposable camera when everyone now has a really great camera on their phone? The thrill of only having 27 shots and not knowing what they look like immediately is one that might be able to elicit a forgotten joy. The cameras start at $15 which includes development and digital images.
The company not only sells disposable cameras, but will also develop old rolls of film you shot in a past life that may have been sitting on a shelf for far too long. Photos are typically developed and sent digitally in 1-3 days. You can also request negatives sent back in the mail at no additional cost.
Manual was started by Malcolm Dia and the company has recently been selling protest photos to raise funds for Minnesota Freedom Fund.
Firebox is another place that has taken up interesting uses for people’s faces. It has leaned into the wacky with compelling results. It will facilitate the urge for you to slap your face or memory on socks or even a suitcase. Seriously, it will put someone’s face on air fresheners, pillows, coffee mugs, lollipops, blankets, and baby onesies.
One splits the difference between cute and silly is its face cushions. These come in different sizes and can be single or double sided. The cushions start at $24 and go up for the different options. Possibly better is the ability to turn a pet’s face into a custom shaped cushion.
Turn a photo into a light fixture. GiftJourney on ETSY is creating handmade, light wire outlines of personal photos that make incredibly captivating and unique gifts.
This type of personal lamp made to display a personal photo can be used for pets, weddings, cars, or any other type of moment that may be special. The photo light measures 9.7-inches by 6.7 inches which makes it great for a shelf or desk. Best of all, the cost to immortalize a memory in this way is only around $50, depending on any sales going on. The price does go up for the amount of people in the photo. Even though the cost is reasonable, the time to receive the handmade item may take a few weeks.
CreativePenDesign Wood Photo Statuettes
Similarly to the 3D light, these wood photo statuettes are handmade and sold on ETSY by Creative Pen Design. Photos are professionally printed, applied to a wood block, and then cut out of the wood. The price starts at $7.99 for a 4x6 photo and goes up to $15.99 for an 8x10 size. These can stand on their own on a shelf or table year round, but the smaller ones can also be given a hook to hang on a Christmas tree as a personal ornament. Turn around time is currently listed at a quick 3-5 days.
A Looping Video that You Can Hang on Your Wall
A Looping Video that You Can Hang on Your Wall
Infinite Objects is a looping video in a frame. Just like those living photos on the walls in Harry Potter, Infinite Objects provides more than just a static image without any of the work of showing a video. You can also think of it as a physical GIF, if that helps convey its appeal.
The product comes with several different options including the frame material and different sizes. It has a battery inside, but you’ll want to place this looping artwork somewhere near an outlet. Although this frame is a budget friendly way to bring memories to life, you can order more generic looping videos like balls bouncing around, and there are also several collections of art to display.
If you like the idea of an Infinite Objects frame, but would rather have one you can change in the future, the Meural WiFi Photo Frame is one of the best options. Unlike other ways to display photos, this option doesn’t look digital. It uses a matte display that resembles a framed printed photo. It also has a nice frame with wood in-lays on the top and sides. It blends in and lets the memories be front and center, instead of the piece of technology displaying them.
The Meural Photo Frame has a robust app that can upload your photos to it instantly. Or, it allows others you grant access to share their photos with you from a distance. There’s an art subscription service built into the app as well so you can rotate in thousands of famous pieces of art for different times of the day. The only downside here to the Meural Photo Frame might be its $299 price. Of course, if price isn’t an issue, the company also makes frames even bigger meant to hang on your wall for a more permanent look, blending analog and digital.
Artifact Uprising Photo Books/Photo Calendars
A photo book or calendar from Artifact Uprising may seem traditional, but the company is known for its pristine quality. The color and material choices, such as the foil printing on the pastel covers, make each item feel very professionally done. Photo books start at $15 with a soft cover and go up to larger and more sophisticated materials. Calendars start at $30 and also include several variants of material and hanging or standing options.
If you have a photo you want to frame and turn into a gift, Framebridge is a great option. Adding a frame and matting that fits its style could breathe new life into a photo (or artifact — more below) that’s not getting the attention it deserves. The choices of materials and styles abound to perfectly fit any home or placement.
Framing an existing photo that has been stuffed away in a photo album is a brilliant way to relive the past. How does this happen? You’ll need to send the existing print into Framebridge to have the company frame it. Of course, you can also upload a digital photo and they’ll print and frame that if sending a one-of-a-kind image through the mail makes you nervous.
Additionally, if you have objects beyond photos, such as a newspaper, certificates, or sports gear, the company can frame those items too. Framing photos and other memorability isn’t necessarily cheap — it all varies based on the styles you select — it often makes for a really great, thoughtful gift.
Fracture Frames
Fracture prints photos directly on glass to great effect. Photos are more vibrant and eye-catching than typical photos printed on paper. Because the glossy, frameless pictures pop on the glass there’s a tendency to want to reach out and touch them. Fracture has lots of different sizes, ranging from small, 5-inch by 5-inch for $17 to the largest, 21-inch by 28-inch, at $135. These are unique enough to catch someone’s eye, but also won’t distract from any decor style. The glass prints can be mounted directly to the wall or stand freely with one of Fracture’s stands. For additional display options, the company also sells a floating shelf with notches perfectly suited to keep the pictures from slipping down.
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