Personalised Christmas Photo Gift Ideas for 2026
By Photo Blocs Team
A personalised photo block makes a thoughtful Christmas gift for almost anyone on your list: choose a photo from the year, pick a size from 5x5 to 8x6 inches and an edge finish, and it arrives ready to stand on a shelf. Prices run from £13.99 to £15.99, with free Standard UK delivery on orders over £50.
Below are nine ideas by recipient. Every bloc is made to order, so check the section on ordering in time for Christmas.
Christmas photo gift ideas at a glance
Match the person to a photo, then the photo to a size. Close-ups and pets suit the square 5x5, classic prints suit the 6x4, couples and portraits suit the 7x5, and family groups suit the 8x6.
| Who it's for | Size | Finish | Photo idea | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parents | 8x6 | Oak | A family group from the year | £15.99 |
| Grandparents | 7x5 | Walnut | The grandchildren together | £14.99 |
| Your partner | 7x5 | Black | The two of you | £14.99 |
| New parents | 5x5 | White | A close-up of the baby | £13.99 |
| Pet lovers | 5x5 | Oak | Their pet looking at the camera | £13.99 |
| Friends | 6x4 | Black | A trip or night out together | £13.99 |
| Siblings | 6x4 | Walnut | A scanned childhood print | £13.99 |
| Colleagues and Secret Santa | 5x5 or 6x4 | White | A team day out | £13.99 |
| The whole family | 8x6 | Oak or White | A favourite photo from the year | £15.99 |
Nine Christmas photo gift ideas by recipient
Each idea suggests a size, finish and photo, but every size comes in all four finishes, so adapt it to suit the person.
1. For parents: a family group on an 8x6 bloc
If the whole family made it into one photo this year, on holiday, at a wedding or around a birthday table, put it on an 8x6 photo block. It is our largest size, so every face stays recognisable in a big group. A warm Oak finish suits most living rooms and mantelpieces. Ask whoever took the photo for the original file, not the copy sent round the family chat.
2. For grandparents: the grandchildren on a 7x5 bloc
A 7x5 photo block in portrait orientation suits two or three grandchildren standing together; turn it landscape if there are more. Walnut gives a rich, traditional look, while White keeps things light. Alternatively, give one 5x5 bloc per grandchild: four come to £55.96, which qualifies for free Standard UK delivery.
3. For your partner: the two of you on a 7x5 bloc
Choose a photo of the two of you that means something, from a trip away to your wedding or engagement day. The 7x5 gives a couple more presence than the smaller sizes. Black suits a modern home; Walnut adds warmth. For more ideas, see our wedding photo gift guide and anniversary gifts.
4. For new parents: baby's first Christmas on a 5x5 bloc
A close-up of a baby's face fills a square beautifully, so the 5x5 photo block is the natural choice, and a White finish suits a nursery or pale shelf. Phone photos taken in square mode fit without cropping. If the photo came from a professional newborn shoot, check the photographer's terms allow printing. For more ideas, see our baby gifts page.
5. For pet lovers: their pet on a 5x5 bloc
Pets are often easiest to photograph up close, which makes the square 5x5 a good fit. Look for a photo taken at the pet's eye level, in good light, looking towards the camera. Oak suits most homes and coat colours. If someone lost a much-loved pet this year, a favourite photo can be a gentle way to remember them; see our pet memorial gifts page.
6. For friends: a shared memory on a 6x4 bloc
Think of the photo you both still laugh about: a festival, a holiday or a night out. The 6x4 photo block is the same shape as a classic 6x4 print and costs £13.99. A Black finish looks sharp with bright, colourful party photos.
7. For siblings: a childhood photo on a 6x4 bloc
Find a picture of you as children in an old family album. Because the 6x4 matches the shape of a standard print, very little of the original is lost. Lay the print flat in even daylight and scan it or photograph it straight on, avoiding glare. Walnut suits the warm tones of older prints; Black works well with black-and-white photos.
8. For colleagues and Secret Santa: a £13.99 bloc
A 5x5 or 6x4 photo block costs £13.99, which makes it a personal option for Secret Santa or a colleague. Try a photo from a team day out, with a White finish for a neutral desk. Standard UK delivery adds £3.99 to orders under £50, so a single bloc comes to £17.98 delivered; four blocs at £13.99 come to £55.96 with free delivery.
9. For the whole family: a Christmas photo tradition
Instead of a gift for one person, begin a family tradition. Each Christmas, put a favourite photo from the year on an 8x6 bloc and add it to the mantelpiece. Sticking to Oak or White keeps the growing row of memories looking consistent. Browse our Christmas photo gifts for more inspiration.
How to choose the photo
The best Christmas photo gifts use a clear, well-lit photo in its original, full-resolution form. Screenshots and copies sent through messaging apps are often compressed, which can make a printed photo look soft, so ask for the original file where you can.
As general advice, zoom in on the faces: if they look blurry on screen, they will not look sharper in print. Then check the bloc in 3D in our online designer before ordering. Our guide to choosing a photo block and photo gift ideas have more help.
Order in time for Christmas
Every photo block is made to order, which takes up to 5 working days, and Standard UK delivery then takes up to 5 more working days, so allow about two working weeks in total. With Express delivery, allow up to 5 working days to make and up to 2 to deliver: up to 7 working days.
| Delivery option | Making | Delivery after dispatch | Allow in total | Delivery cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard UK | 3–5 working days | 3–5 working days | Up to 10 working days | £3.99, free on orders over £50 |
| Express | 3–5 working days | 1–2 working days | Up to 7 working days | £7.99 |
To give your gifts the best chance of arriving before Christmas:
- Check the last order dates on our shipping page before you order.
- Count working days, not calendar days. Weekends are not working days.
- Leave a buffer. Delivery times are estimates, so do not plan to the last day.
- Check the preview carefully. Because each bloc is personalised, we cannot accept returns if you change your mind. If a bloc arrives damaged or misprinted, tell us within 14 days and we will replace it or refund you.
Free UK delivery on orders over £50
Standard UK delivery is free on orders over £50 and costs £3.99 below that. If you are buying for several people, putting all the blocs in one order is the simplest way to go over the threshold.
- Four 8x6 blocs: 4 × £15.99 = £63.96, free Standard delivery.
- One of each size (5x5, 6x4, 7x5 and 8x6): £58.96, free Standard delivery.
- Three 8x6 blocs: £47.97, just under the threshold. Add a 5x5 and the order comes to £61.96.
Looking after a photo block
A photo block needs very little care. Keep it out of direct sunlight to prevent fading, and wipe it with a dry, soft cloth. After Christmas, it can move from the mantelpiece to a shelf or desk.
Ready to get your Christmas shopping sorted? Browse our photo blocks or see all our Christmas photo gifts, and preview your bloc in 3D before you order.
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