7 easy photo gifts you can make in under 15 minutes

It’s that cold-sweat feeling, isn’t it? That date in your calendar you swore was next month is, in fact, tomorrow. And you are empty-handed. The last-minute panic sets in. You picture yourself grabbing a sad-looking bouquet from the corner shop or sheepishly handing over yet another voucher. But you can do so much better, in literally 15 minutes. We’re serious.

When you’re short on time, you need easy present ideas that are simple, speedy and still look like you put in all the effort. These are our top picks for quick personalised gifts that look brilliant (and nobody needs to know they only took you a few clicks).

1. The classic personalised mug

A personalised photo mug is a hero of easy gifts for a good reason. Everyone loves a cuppa, and having that first-thing-in-the-morning brew in a mug covered in your favourite faces just hits different.

It’s one of the fastest gifts to make. You just upload that one perfect photo – maybe that snap from holiday where you both look good, or a silly selfie you both love. Or if you can’t possibly pick (we get it), include a selection with a collage layout. It’s the perfect easy secret santa idea for your office bestie or a simple birthday gift for your dad (and if you ask us, one of the best easy gifts for guys who already have everything).

2. The year-long personalised calendar

This is the gift that keeps on giving all year long (literally). And no, it doesn’t take ages to fill 12 whole months. In fact, the hardest part is whittling your camera roll down to just your favourite photos.

Our intuitive creation tools make it easy. Just choose your snaps for each month and you’ve got a year’s worth of smiles. You can even start it on any month you like – a calendar that starts in March? Why not. This is one of our top easy handmade Christmas gifts for grandparents, or a brilliant fast birthday gift for a friend. In many of our calendars, you can even add photos to specific dates as a little reminder (so they really have no excuse to forget yours).

3. The super-cosy personalised cushion

This is one of those easy birthday gifts that looks like it took way more effort than it actually did (your secret’s safe with us). It’s also a top tier last minute gift idea for her (or him) when you need something with a personal touch, fast.

Who doesn’t love to hug a memory (or their pet’s face)? Find that one photo that makes you smile – that picture of the dog where he looks like a little old man, or that one great candid of the kids. Pop it on a cushion and you’ve got an instant home decor upgrade and a 10/10 huggable gift.

4. The stylish (and simple) photo block

If you’re looking for easy handmade gift ideas that are modern, stylish and unbelievably simple, say hello to Photo Blocks. They’re chic, chunky and they stand up all by themselves – the dream.

They’re perfect for popping on a desk, a bookshelf or a bedside table. And when we say ‘easy to create’, we mean it. You just pick your photo and you’re done. Photo blocks are fast birthday presents that look brilliant on their own, or your giftee can start with one and build a whole collection.

5. The big-impact canvas print

Want to make a statement? Gift a canvas print, which turns that a-mazing photo you love into actual art for their walls. And it’s still lightning-fast to make.

Our user-friendly tools make it super straightforward to get your photo on the canvas and looking spectacular in just a few clicks. That picturesque landscape from your hike? Instant art. The kids finally smiling in the same photo? Definitely art.

It’s a guaranteed win for parents – think simple Mother’s Day gifts or a classic easy Father’s Day gift. It’s also one of the best easy gift ideas for men who are ‘impossible to buy for’ (just find a great family shot or landscape pic and job done).

6. The sweet-and-simple photo magnet

Looking for one of those perfect quick gifts that’s small, sweet and guaranteed to make them smile? Photo magnets are the one. They’re the easiest way to add a bit of personality to the most-visited spot in the house – the fridge.

You can make a whole set of magnets in minutes. Just pick your fave snaps (those silly selfies, the brunch that looked too good to eat, the new kitten) and you’re good to go. They’re a lovely little stocking filler (making them one of the best simple homemade Christmas gifts going), a ‘just because’ treat, or a great way to add to an ever-growing collection.

7. The ready-to-hang framed print

Gifting a photo is a lovely idea, but finding the right frame is always a faff, isn’t it? Our framed wall art range solves that. You get the print and the frame, all ready to hang. And the best bit? You can still create the whole thing in minutes.

It’s an impressive last minute gift idea for her and a fantastic fast gift idea if you’ve left the gifting a little too late (but still want to look like you’ve spent weeks planning it). All you need to do is decide on the style (and choose your colour frame):

• A framed poster: Perfect for that amazing landscape shot or colourful holiday snap.
• A framed canvas: Gives you photo a textured, gallery-style finish.
• A framed photo collage print: The answer when you have too many great photos and just can’t decide.

There you have it – seven amazing, thoughtful and quick gift ideas that you can create from your sofa. And being short on time doesn’t mean you have to skip the personal touch. You’ve already got the magic ingredients – those hundreds of funny and heart-warming photos sitting on your phone. All you need is 15 minutes to turn them into one of these easy homemade gifts.

So, ditch the last-minute panic, check out our full range of quick personalised gifts and get ready to be the hero of every occasion. (You can thank us later).

Check out all of our personalised gifts here