Giving photos can be a quick and easy way to give a personalized gift this season, but the options can feel overwhelming. Here are 4 quick photo gift ideas to jumpstart your creativity and send you in the right direction depending on your needs and budget.
Chatbooks
Chatbooks is my favorite way to order photo books. For our family, we get one of their subscription books as well as the occasional one off book for vacation photos.
Fun fact: We have been getting the chatbooks, photobook subscription for over 7 years now!
Use my referral code for $10 off: $10 off your first order
What I Like: Simple interface, easy to order in the app, great customer service
Cons: This is not the place to go if you want to order wall art or unique custom gifts
Parabo Press
Parabo Press is my go to place to order those adorable square prints. They make a great addition to a card gift or even add them to your Christmas cards so your family will have some cute photos to display of you in their home.
I personally love to order the 4″x4″ prints with the white border as photo gifts.
Special Discount: Use code ALP30 for 30% off sitewide through January 15, 2026 (not an affiliate code, just one they gave me to share with you!)
What I Like: Cute, unique prints (I haven’t seen these types of prints at the big box options), easy to order on your computer or phone
Cons: These prints are not your typical ‘frame on the wall’ prints, and colors may be less vibrant than traditional photo paper
ProDPI Prints
ProDPI is the photographer’s best kept secret. For years, you could only order from ProDPI if you were a professional photographer. This was my go to source of professional photography prints back when I used to sell products (now I give all my clients a digital print release). I’ve tested ordering through their website and get the same great prints as I do through their pro interface. And what is even crazier is sometimes the prices on the website are CHEAPER than what I pay as a professional photographer through their ordering portal.
My favorite thing to order from ProDPI is their Photo Prints. Every year, I print out our family photo, put it in a frame, and gift it to all of our parents and grandparents.
What I Like: High quality prints that will last your family years, these are printed right here in Minnesota, so shipping time is usually crazy fast
Cons: There are more options, and it can be a little more confusing to decide which print type you want if you’re not well-versed in professional photo prints
MPIX
In all these years, I’ve never actually ordered from MPIX, but before ProDPI had online ordering on their website, it was the gold standard recommendation on where to order high quality prints without going through a photographer. They also have so many options if you want to get your loved ones cute, unique gifts.
What I Like: Great option for high quality photo products
Cons: None?
Want to make sure you have awesome photos to use in next year’s gifts? Be sure to hop on the waiting list to get first dibs on the 2026 schedule when it becomes available.
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