Photo gifts are always popular for the holidays and now that we’ve got smartphone photos, photo apps, an Instagram addiction, and services that connect to all of the above, it’s even easier to find some cool–and affordable–photo gifts for everyone on your list. Most of all, those sentimental grandparents. Next up in our Holiday Tech Gifts series: 9 wonderful ideas in every price range to get those photos off your smartphone and into the hands of someone who will love them.
[Also, don’t miss our AMAZING giveaway below!]
Mosaic Photo Book
Download the free app, and in moments you can choose your favorite iPhone photos and turn them into an affordable photo book that happens to be really nicely done too. ($20, mosaic)
Your coolest photos can now become your coolest coffee table adornment, when you turn them into coasters. We love this gift idea! ($25/4, coastermatic)
We’re still waiting to try out this service that turns your Instagram photos into a series of magnets, but the buzz is good and the price is great. In fact, order one for yourself–they’re way cuter than those old alphabet letters on your fridge. Just make sure you order by 12/9 in the US to insure holiday delivery; they ship from the UK. ($14.99 per sheet of 9, Stickygram)
Edible Chocolate Photos
It might not be the right place for a photo of your kids, but your tree or a snowman or anything festive at all would make a delicious gift. Pictures with fun photo filters turn out best, we’ve found. Order by 12/15 for Christmas delivery. (from $14, cocoagraph)
Keepsy Photo Books
These lovely mini photo books are so easy to make, and we don’t know a grandparent who wouldn’t love your year in review, photo style. Way cooler than a “Christmas letter,” isn’t it? ($17.95+, keepsy)
We recently discovered this clever service which turns your favorite photo into something more practical than artwork. Neat classroom gift for a teacher; or even for a kid’s room–just make sure you grab a beloved team photo or pet, and not a sign that says “clean this room up now!” ($99+, magneticpix)
Custom Photo Phone Cases from Tiny Prints
While a lot of companies now make custom photo cases, one of the things we like about the service from Tiny Prints is that a designer will go over your case, the same way they do for their beloved cards and invitations. Use one of their templates or just grab a single photo and add some copy–or not. ($39.95+, tiny prints)
Animoto Video
You can’t beat free, and for years we’ve been singing the praises of Animoto which makes editing your photos into a professional looking video that you can send to everyone you love, beyond easy. And yeah, free. Now they’ve added a new Facebook app that can grab photos right from your timeline as you specify. You can also upgrade your service for longer videos, download ability, and other benefits. (Free, Animoto)
Custom Photo Canvases
Of course the gift of a favorite photo, framed and wall-ready is always a classic gift. This new service will print your smartphone photos onto canvases beautifully, and the price is pretty unbeatable. Just make sure your resolution is decent, or stick with the smaller frame size. (from $9.79, Snapbox)
For more cool holiday gift ideas, don’t miss our 2012 Holiday Gift Guide on Cool Mom Picks.
Update: This contest is now closed. Congratulations to our winner, Betsy M!
EXTRA-EXTRA-COOL: WIN IT! We’ve got an amazing Tech Prize Package worth over $600 up for grabs for one lucky winner! WHOO!
Sonos Play 3 • Kindle Fire • Design Your Own Casemate Case • SkullCandy Navigator Headphones Other Holiday Tech Gifts:
Cool Gifts for the Audiophile
Chic Tech Gifts for the Fashionista
The Coolest Games and Tech Toys for Little Kids
Tech Games and Toys for Teens and Big Kids
Cool Gifts for the Audiophile
Chic Tech Gifts for the Fashionista
The Coolest Games and Tech Toys for Little Kids
Tech Games and Toys for Teens and Big Kids
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