Holiday season is upon us, and if you’re like me, you already have some anxiety going on when it comes to finding gifts for everyone. My husband and I have a whole big spreadsheet to keep us organized and we work on it for days at a time to try and balance fun with meaning, and minimize waste. I have put together a few ideas for you here, in hopes of getting at least one or two names checked off your holiday shopping list!

Memories restored - encaustic wall art made from an old photo of a loved one who has passed away

The holidays can be especially hard when we are missing a family member. Whether it’s a parent, sibling, or a beloved pet, creating a custom piece of art that celebrates them is a beautiful way to honour their memory. You can read more about this service and see some more examples here.

For the holiday season, I am making these for my clients in 10”x8” size for only $250. If you’d like to order one, please get in touch with me ASAP to ensure we get it done in time for the holidays. You can also give this service in the form of a gift certificate!

Desktop Metal print with easel

This is a wonderful gift idea for someone who works in an office, a child away for college, or for your young kid’s room. Having a family portrait or a portrait of your pet greeting you while you work can brighten anyone’s day. These metal prints are 8”x10”, with a durable matte finish to cut down glare, sleek and minimalist in design, propped up by an easel backing.

These desktop metals are $250, or order two for $400! If you’d like to add a personalized message to the print, I’d love to do that for you! Get in touch soon if you’d like to come in to view your portraits again and place your order. Cut off for order placement is Monday, Dec. 10 if you want to get it in time for Christmas.

Museum quality fine art print

Perfect gift idea for the whole family. Was there a portrait from your session you loved, but didn’t order the first time around? Surprise your family with giving it to them for the holidays. These also make wonderful gifts for grandparents and extended family, or family living abroad.

Fine art prints start at $150 and go up to $300. They are printed right in my workshop using museum quality fine art cotton rag paper and pigment inks, and carefully matted between two archival mats, ensuring your print is protected from yellowing and fading over time.

If you want to bring it to the next level, I highly encourage my clients to invest in custom framing. You have already invested in your beautiful portraits - now you can also display them beautifully. Custom framing starts at $150 and varies with moulding style and size. I usually also have a limited stock of one of a kind frames that are up for grabs for only $100! This includes all framing labour and hardware. I can also do custom staining if you are after a specific colour scheme. Give me a call if you’d like to stop by my studio and see what I currently have in stock!

Deadline for matted fine art prints to have them in time for Christmas is Saturday, Dec. 15. If you want to order a custom frame that is not in stock, you must do so ASAP as they take up to 4 weeks to arrive.

Mounted and coated print

These are perfect for kids’ rooms. The print is mounted on a thick lightweight board, and is finished with a very light, matte protective coating. They can be framed OR displayed on the wall directly using command strips for a more modern and minimalist look.

Mounted prints start at $200 and can be made quite large, as an economical alternative to canvas and metal wall art. The deadline to order these in time for Christmas is Monday, Dec. 10.

Holiday Cards, gift certificates, and other photo gifts

If you’d like to order holiday cards, do so ASAP so that we can send them out in time! Packages start at $250 for a pack of 25, with the option to add custom writing to the design, envelopes, and custom address labels!

Gift certificates for portrait sessions start at $400, which includes a matted 10”x8” fine art print to fit a standard 14”x11” frame (frame not included, but you can add one on!). If you’d like to include additional product in your gift, you are welcome to come in for a consultation and see all the different products that I offer. (Some of those are listed above, actually!)

If you’ve got a different photo gift idea that I didn’t cover here - just give me a call and I’m happy to help!

So, there you have it! A number of great options for gifts to yourself or others. Perfect for the holiday season, for Valentine’s day, birthdays, or just because! Most importantly, during this holiday season, create memories together. Treasure the time you have just being with each other. There is no better gift than time with our loved ones.