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Creating unique gifts featuring your photos
Gifts for children are easy, since most children do not want a unique gift. We
know they will be happier with gifts that are widely advertised on TV or just
like their friends have. Unique gifts are not important to children. Sometime in
the years that follow, it seems that both giver and recipient develop the idea
that a gift's uniqueness is important. To some, more important than to others.
Unique gifts using photographs are especially appealing. Photographs make the
gifts one-of-a-kind, as well as personal. Few people have access to the same
photos, and even if they do, the possibility of them matching photo to gift is
slight. But does the use of a photo make the object a unique gift?
Let's say you have a great photo of your sister's children. You go to an online
website that lets you upload that image and have it imprinted on a mug, mouse
pad, tee-shirt, tote bag, or coaster. That is a unique gift, in that it is
personal. It is not a unique gift without the photo, however.
Unique gifts using photographs require either that the gift be unique, or that
the addition of a photo be unique to that type of item. In other words, would it
be surprising to see a personal photograph in that setting?
Finding ideas for unique gifts using your photographs
You will find that simply reading a few ideas for unique gifts using photographs
will spur your thinking on the subject. Here are a few ideas to help get your
creative juices flowing:
- Fish Lover: If the recipient loves diving, snorkeling reefs, or just watching
fish in a tank, you can give a unique gift featuring your photo. Purchase a
small wall aquarium. Enlarge one or more photographs of the recipient in the
water, and mount behind the aquarium so they show through the glass. Or scan
your photo and "PhotoShop" it into an underwater scene. You can do the same with
a table aquarium. Add water and fish for unique gifts using photographs.
- Office Worker: Male or female who spends most of everyday at a desk would
appreciate a paperweight. Websites that offer engraved keepsakes will engrave
your photo inside a crystal paperweight. Some will also add a brief message
inside the paperweight. Or have your photo laser engraved in a crystal "iceberg"
that sites atop a black stand. Some places will laser engrave on black marble,
too. These are unique gifts using photographs.
- Romantic: Photo trays can be purchased or homemade. They are basically deep
picture frames with velveteen covered backgrounds and glass. Slip photos between
the glass and the velveteen background, and use as a tray for cosmetics or
serving tea. If you yourself craft these unique gifts using photographs, you may
want to add cork to the bottom to protect tables. A refinished antique picture
frame, carved with flowers, would be romantic.
- Child: Room plates on their doors will tell everyone whose bedroom it is.
When those room plates contain photos, people will see whose room it is. Room
plates are just under 3" x 4" and come in two pieces. Crop your photos to fit,
snap the pieces together, and you have a unique gift for any child. Moms
appreciate these too.
- Traveler: You may not want a personal photo on a luggage tag or key ring, but
a photo of a favorite pet or location would be appreciated and would help a
traveler quickly identify his or her luggage. These also can be DIY, snapping an
appropriately trimmed photo into the tag. A unique gift for a birthday,
Christmas, or other occasion.
- Photography Buff: Gift baskets are plentiful online, but they can become
unique gifts using photographs. Find an online shop that offers customization of
gift baskets – baskets your way - or try a DIY gift basket. Think of things a
digital photographer would appreciate. Include a small photo album, photo paper
for printing, photo ink cartridge(s), camera batteries, a camera memory card,
and a digital picture frame. Fill the frame with a photo that is sure to please,
and place it in the front of the basket for a unique gift.
- Home Decor: Unique gifts using photographs can play a part in home decor,
too. These personal creations can be ordered online using your photographs:
pillows, quilts, afghans, handbags. You can even have photographs placed on
small footballs, baseballs, or soccer balls and use them as home decor.
Helpful Tip: When creating unique gifts using photographs, choose the photographs carefully.
A snapshot that is funny today might not seem as funny by the next birthday. A
photo that shows the recipient in an embarrassing situation may not be
appreciated. A unique gift is good. A unique gift that continues to be
appreciated through the years is better.
About the author: Anna Hart invites you to read more of her articles about
unique gifts at
www.distinctivegiftsandcards.com where she regularly posts additional
information about other gifts and cards.
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