Here Are the Best Photo Gifts, From Custom Socks to Personalized Phone Cases

Tap into your loved one’s nostalgic side with the Image3D Custom RetroViewer, a blast from the past inspired by their favorite childhood toy — except better, because this time the images are personalized. They can use the redemption code included with the viewfinder to add their favorite travel snapshots to the made-to-order reel. Viewfinders are available in a choice of four colors from red to black, and each reel holds seven images. Additional reels and a retro wooden storage holder can be purchased separately. 

Price at time of publish: $35

Rhode Island-based family business Jon and Julie Rousseau offers an innovative way to keep travel memories fresh with these cork-backed, marble coasters. Available in sets of four, the coasters are printed with images of your choice in a retro, instant-camera style. They’re a great conversation starter when you have guests over, or the perfect prompt for reminiscing about your favorite adventures while enjoying that end-of-the-week beverage together. Upload pre-cropped, square images for the best results.

Price at time of publish: $65 (without captions), $75 (with captions)

CraftsByAleja takes the idea of a standard photo keychain to the next level by allowing you to add up to 10 images to a vintage film roll. We love the idea of ordering one to commemorate a special vacation; or perhaps filling one with family images to give to a loved one before their next work trip or solo overseas adventure. Whoever you buy the keychain for, you can add a customized message to the pull-out tab and choose from five different colors for the film roll itself. 

Price at time of publish: $30

The ideal stocking filler or addition to your family tree, this personalized ornament from SweetGiftMart pairs a handmade wood slice with a natural twine hanger for a gorgeous, rustic look. You can choose to have yours printed with a different photo on either side, or you can add personalized text to the reverse instead. Measuring roughly 4 x 4 inches, we think this is a beautiful way to immortalize your loved one’s favorite travel shot(s) while also ramping up the festive cheer. 

Price at time of publish: $20 (one photo), $28 (two photos)

We love the idea of this Custom Music Plaque as a gift from one spouse to another to celebrate a destination wedding. The high-quality, transparent acrylic plaque can be printed with the name and artist of your favorite song, with your photo where the cover art should be. There are four styles to choose from — one with space for a collage of four images, the others with space for one photo and a scannable Spotify code. All styles have a wooden base with integrated LED lights that illuminate the plaque with seven different colors. 

Price at time of publish: $13

Looking for a thoughtful gift for the passionate pet lover in your life? These impact-resistant, clear TPU phone cases from West & Willow come personalized with a digital animal portrait inspired by your photo. Each image is created by hand without the use of apps or filters, resulting in unique artwork that’s the ultimate tribute to your furry friend (making it a little bit easier to say goodbye when traveling overseas). Cases are compatible with wireless chargers and available for a wide range of iPhone and Samsung phones. 

Price at time of publish: $60

If your jet-set friend or family member has ever joked that they wish they could pack you in their suitcase, well, now they can. These custom crew socks come in more than 40 different patterns, all of which put your face (or that of a loved one) front and center. Styles range from cute ones perfect for Mother’s Day to humorous ones entirely covered with close-up mugshots. The socks are machine washable and blend polyester, cotton, chinlon, and spandex for just the right combination of flexibility and comfort. 

Price at time of publish: $13

If a photo is worth a thousand words, how valuable is a video? Heirloom video books allow you to collate all of those vacation reels and move them off your phone and into a keepsake book where you’re more likely to actually watch them (and less likely to accidentally delete them). Decide whether you want yours to run for 10 or 20 minutes, then choose from a range of pre-designed, themed covers or design your own custom-printed photo cover for a small extra fee. 

Price at time of publish: $49 (10 minutes), $69 (20 minutes)

These gorgeous French lace purses come with a photo of your choice printed onto the inner lining, making for a very subtle and hugely meaningful gift for the traveling lady in your life. If you’re planning a destination wedding, we also love the idea of ordering these as gifts for members of your bridal party (or even for yourself as your very special “something new.”) Customization options include a choice of differently embroidered patterns in delicate shades of ivory or white.

Price at time of publish: $59

Sometimes, having to travel frequently can be hard — both on the person traveling and the loved ones they leave behind. We love the idea of this photo engraved dog tag, which allows those on either side of the separation to wear the people they care most about close to their heart. PicturesOnGold offers options for every taste and budget, with four sizes and five materials to choose from (from sterling silver to 14-karat white or yellow gold). Photos are laser engraved in color and are both scratch and water resistant. 

Price at time of publish: $135 for sterling silver

What better way to stay warm this winter than with a cozy blanket printed with images of your favorite sun-soaked vacation destination? Made from soft polar fleece with hemmed edges and fade-resistant, full-color printing, these high-quality comforters come in two sizes (50 x 60 inches or 60 x 80 inches). Use the online template to create your bespoke design. Whether you orientate your blanket vertically or horizontally, use a single statement image, or create a collage masterpiece is up to you. 

Price at time of publish: $60

The commuter in your life will thank you for this personalized travel mug, which employs double stainless steel walls and a vacuum seal to keep their favorite beverage at the optimum temperature. Choose from a range of templates to upload as many as 12 images in whichever way they look best — whether that’s portrait, landscape, cropped to a square, or a combination of all three. You can adjust the cropping until you’re completely satisfied, choose different backgrounds, or add text to get that extra special message across. 

Price at time of publish: $47 (16-ounce), $49 (20-ounce)

These photo magnets from Squared are so simple, effective, and utterly affordable that you might be tempted to add extras to your cart for yourself. The hardest part is deciding which of your favorite vacay shots to use. Then, choose one of six shapes and sizes from square to heart-shaped (our favorite is the polaroid-style option known as Retro). All shapes can come with or without a border in a glossy or matte finish, and all are printed on premium quality photo paper backed with flexible magnetic foil.  

Price at time of publish: $2 for 2×2 square

We all know that photo books are a great way to display your travel photos. We also know that they don’t mix well with inquisitive youngsters — until now. Artifact Uprising makes indestructible photo books especially for little ones with thick card pages, baby-safe rounded edges, and minimalist layouts that aid visual recognition. Need a lasting memento of baby’s first vacation? Want to remind them of faces they don’t get to see as often as you’d like? Here you go. There are four themes and three page counts to choose from. 

Price at time of publish: $45 (20 pages), $55 (30 pages), $65 (40 pages)

What to get the travel fanatic that has everything? A personalized passport holder, of course. You can choose yours in full-grain brown, black, or cinnamon leather, with a range of different engraving options including the opportunity to have your favorite photo converted into a sketch and engraved on the front. Add a logo, phrase, or initial for that extra element of customization. The holder includes dedicated space for up to two passports, along with room for banknotes and boarding passes, plus two separate slots for your cards. 

Price at time of publish: $75 with front intial/name

We’d be remiss not to include at least one digital picture frame on this list, and this one from Frameo stands out for its traditional aesthetic and affordable price tag. With 32GB of storage it has space for over 80,000 images — enough for even the most trigger-happy travel photographer. Images auto-rotate for vertical or horizontal display, while a 10.1-inch screen with 1280 x 800 resolution ensures optimal picture clarity. Tech-savvy recipients will appreciate that the frame is Wi-fi enabled and compatible with the free Frameo app.

Price at time of publish: $50

Whether they’re playing a round at their local club or teeing off at one of the world’s most famous courses, these personalized photo golf balls are sure to add a touch of class to their game. Select three photos to be printed in high-quality full color over a 1-inch print area on each ball. Customization options include a choice of generic, Titleist ProV1, or TaylorMade TP5 balls. There’s also the option to add a wood or acrylic display stand on the off chance that your recipient loves their gift too much to actually play with it. 

Price at time of publish: $15

Approved for glamor queens of all ages, this personalized sequin bag adds some feminine fun and sparkle to any carry-on suitcase. Use the brand’s dedicated customization app to upload your photo(s), create a collage if you’re using multiple images, and even add names or other text. At 7.75 x 6.5 inches, the bag is perfectly sized for makeup essentials — but we can think of a dozen other uses too, from serving as a pencil case for little girls to storing needles and thread for those that like to travel with a sewing kit. 

Price at time of publish: $20

If your friend or family member has had a brush with lost luggage in the past, this could be just the solution to restore their confidence. After all, it’s unlikely that a fellow traveler will claim their suitcase by accident if it has their face on it. The tags are made from durable hard plastic, with your photo on one side and more than 20 stylized prints to choose from for the reverse. These range from bridal themes for newlywed couples to themes for graduates and world travelers.

Price at time of publish: $17

If you love the idea of gifting custom photo jewelry but know that your recipient’s tastes are a little more subtle, this projection photo bracelet could be the perfect solution. By engraving your image onto a miniature projection stone, it’s kept completely invisible until you look closely through the pendant’s magnifying viewfinder. As a bonus, the waxed rope bracelet looks great on men and women and is suitably lowkey for travelers who frequent destinations where flashy jewelry is inadvisable. There are multiple color combinations to choose from. 

Price at time of publish: $17

Looking for an innovative way to celebrate a special trip taken together? Adorn this adorable keepsake box with your favorite photo, then fill it with treasures from your time away. It’s crafted from imported oak with a mahogany lacquer finish and a soft, felt-lined interior. In terms of customization, there’s a slew of styles to choose from, whether you want to include a single photo on the lid, a collage, or perhaps an image emblazoned with a meaningful word, phrase, or monogram.  

Price at time of publish: $40

There are a hundred uses for a trusty tote bag, and just as many reasons to love this custom one from VistaPrint. Made from durable, high-quality canvas, it’s generously sized for everyday use at 18.5 x 15 inches. Choose yours in all white or white with black accents, and decide whether to print on one or both sides. The brand offers a range of customizable layouts for adding images and graphics to your photos, too, so your best shots look more professional than ever. 

Price at time of publish: $14

While you can certainly find cheaper laser-etched photo blocks, this one from ArtPix stands out for its near-perfect reviews and exceptionally detailed 3D rendering of your favorite image. Made from ultra-clear K9 crystal, you can choose to add a color-changing LED light base, transforming it into a mesmerizing nightlight for anyone who misses their loved one while they’re away. There are four sizes to choose from, from small (2.9 x 2.9 x 1.2 inches) to extra large (6.9 x 6.9 x 3.1 inches). 

Price at time of publish: $90 for small

For the long-distance couples, the kids of deployed parents, and the best friends going off to college, we have the perfect gift — a mini-me version of their favorite person, in huggable pillow form. Snugzy’s premise is simple: They print faces onto people-shaped pillows. There are hundreds of variations to choose from, though, whether you’re going for humorous (the mankini face pillow), meaningful (the soldier face pillow), or kid-friendly (the bat hero face pillow). And, at roughly 18 x 12 inches, they’re even suitcase sized. 

Price at time of publish: $38

How many times have you been left with nothing to do, waiting for a delayed train or an interminable bus journey to end with no juice in your phone? Save your loved ones from a similar fate by gifting them the traveler’s best friend — a deck of playing cards. These ones come with a difference that elevates your gift above a basic stocking filler: You can add your favorite photo to the reverse of each card. The pack is regular poker size and crafted from premium, easy-to-shuffle laminated card stock.  

Price at time of publish: $13

If you’ve been counting down to the festive family vacation of a lifetime, why not make the big day even more special with these personalized Christmas stockings? We love that you can add a single photo, or make a collage of up to five images. Add text (a name, perhaps, to prevent squabbling among the kids come Christmas morning), and choose natural, cranberry, or winter green for the color of the velvet cuff and cord trim. These are high-quality, beautifully finished stockings with a length of 16 inches. 

Price at time of publish: $25

Admittedly coffee mugs are one of the most obvious custom photo gifts out there, but clichés are clichés for a reason — everyone loves a good mug, and you can never have enough of them. This one from KandVPrints adds a little extra pizazz with its color-changing abilities (your photo is only revealed when hot water is added). Made of ceramic with beautiful rounded edges and a sturdy, C-shaped handle, the mug is microwave and dishwasher safe and comes in two sizes: 11 or 15 ounces. 

Price at time of publish: $25 for 11 ounces

Luggage is, of course, the ultimate gift for any traveler — and this brand offers personalized photo suitcases in four sizes, including kids’, carry-on, medium, or large checked. Your images look their best on the high-gloss polycarbonate shell, which also flexes to withstand rough handling while remaining impressively light. All suitcases have four 360-degree roller wheels and a retractable push handle, an integrated TSA-approved lock, and a fully lined interior with zippered pockets and tie-down straps. 

Price at time of publish: $177 for 22-inch

For your friend that’s always planning the next road trip, we present this ingenious map of the 50 states. Choose a style (frame or hanger), a background color, and whether to add text. Then, upload images taken in each state to be converted into state-shaped stickers that your friend can add at home. Still ticking destinations off their bucket list? Sticker tokens let them add to their map over time. Photomaps also offers a whole range of other options, from world maps to maps of Canada, Europe, and individual states. 

Price at time of publish: $54 with wood frame hanger

A somewhat subtler alternative to the film roll keychain listed above, this one’s for the minimalist with a sentimental streak. The keychain cover is made of soft leather in one of eight colors from tan to burgundy or light blue. Inside, add up to three metal inserts that can be printed front and back with up to six photos. You can also mix photos with text if you have a special message to convey. Photos are printed in full color and the keychain measures 3 x 2.5 inches. 

Price at time of publish: $34 for one side only text

We can see this one playing out one of two ways: either you upload photos of friends and family to serve as a memento of home for the recipient on their travels; or you add their favorite vacation snaps so the cube can be a brilliant (if sometimes frustrating) souvenir upon their return. Either way, we love the idea of revamping the classic colored Rubik’s cube faces with personalized photos. This one from JackAndJess on Etsy comes in regular or large sizes, with the option of adding a smart display stand. 

Price at time of publish: $25