Christmas shopping on a budget doesn’t have to mean boring gifts. With a few favourite photos and an online photo lab, you can create presents that feel personal and thoughtful and which are surprisingly affordable. Most of these ideas stay under $25 if you choose smaller sizes, value packs, or budget versions, and you can do everything from home just by uploading your pictures. 

Here are 25 Christmas photo gift ideas under $25, presented by Jean Coutu photo printing services.  

 

Photo gifts for grandparents & extended family 

 

1) Grandkids-in-a-calendar: one new photo every month 

This is a classic grandparent gift, and it can be enjoyed all year. Choose a wall or desk calendar format and add a new photo of the grandkids for each month. You can show how they’ve grown over the year or organize it by theme: first day of school, birthdays, day at the park, family holidays. Add little notes on special dates like school concerts and sports days to make it even more personal. 

 

2) Christmas family photo cards for the whole clan 

Instead of a generic box of cards, turn your family photo into this year’s Christmas card. Most online labs have ready-made holiday templates, so you can just drop in your picture and a short message. One strong image is often better than a collage: everyone’s face is bigger and easier to see. Order a small run for close family and friends to keep costs down. 

 

3) “Year in review” family wall calendar 

If you want something for parents, siblings, or close friends, a simple “year in review” calendar works well. Pick 12 favourite family moments from the last year and match them to the months: snow days in January, cottage trips in July, Halloween costumes in October, and so on. Many labs let you add captions or short notes, so you can write a line about each memory. 

 

Fridge-friendly gifts & stocking stuffers 

 

4) Fridge magnet portraits 

Fridge magnet portraits are a perfect little stocking stuffer. Upload a close-up photo of the kids, the whole family, or even a pet, and turn it into a magnet that sticks to any metal surface. Choose a simple background or tight crop so faces don’t get lost. These are cheap to post in an envelope and last far longer than a standard print. 

 

5) Custom apron 

A thoughtful pick for the home chef or grill master in your life — personalize an apron with a favourite family photo, a holiday message, or even a child’s hand-drawn design.  

 

6) Wallet-size photo packs 

Wallet prints are tiny but powerful. They slide easily into a purse, phone case, or wallet window, and they’re usually very affordable in bundles. You can print school photos, sports team shots, or a special grandparent-and-child photo. One little pack can be split between several relatives. 

 

7) 4×6 value-pack prints

If you can’t decide on just one photo, a value pack of 4×6 prints is a simple way to create lots of small gifts. Use them to top presents, tuck them into cards, or put together a small “year in pictures” bundle for each household. You can also mix serious portraits with silly outtakes, so the selection feels fun. 

 

8) Custom-made photo puzzle 

A grandparents’ favourite! Turn a treasured family photo into a custom puzzle that grandparents can piece together, smile by smile — it’s a heartwarming way to relive special moments while keeping their minds active. 

 

Desk & office-friendly ideas 

 

9) Photo mouse pad 

A mouse pad with a favourite photo is a simple way to brighten a home office. Choose a clean, high-resolution image — something that still looks good when partly covered by a mouse. Avoid very dark photos, as they can look flat once printed. A basic mouse pad design is usually under $25. 

 

10) Calendar mouse pad 

Take it one step further with a calendar-style mouse pad. Many labs offer a pad that includes all the months of the year plus one main photo. It’s handy for anyone who lives at their desk —teachers, office workers, or students — and still feels personal. 

 

11) Desk or easel calendar 

A small desktop calendar with 12 photos is an everyday reminder of family, friends, or pets. Choose vertical photos that fit nicely in the design and keep text light and easy to read. Smaller desk formats often cost less than large wall calendars, so they’re a good choice when you’re working with a budget. 

 

12) Photo bookmark 

For readers, a custom bookmark is a simple but thoughtful gift. A photo of a favourite place, pet, or person works well. Some templates let you add text so you can include a quote, an inside joke, or a “This book belongs to…” line. Pair it with a paperback and you’re still under $25. 

 

Mugs, keychains & everyday essentials 

 

13) Classic photo mug 

The photo mug is a Christmas staple for a reason. It gets used every day and can be tailored to anyone: a child’s doodle for a parent, a holiday picture for grandparents, or a silly selfie for a friend. Keep designs simple and high contrast so the image is easy to see from a distance. Standard 11 oz mugs are usually comfortably under $25. 

 

14) Travel mug or tumbler (small size) 

For commuters or coffee lovers, a small travel mug with a custom photo is both practical and personal. Vertical or wrap-around images work best. Choose a simple design with a secure lid and handle if possible. Stick to smaller sizes to keep the price within budget. 

 

15) Photo keychain

A keychain with a photo insert is a tiny gift with big emotional impact. It’s ideal for new drivers, grandparents, or anyone who likes to keep a loved one “with them” throughout the day. Many versions come gift-boxed and still stay under $25, especially simple plastic or metal styles. 

 

Christmas tree & home décor 

 

16) Photo Christmas tree ornaments 

Photo ornaments are a lovely way to grow a collection over the years. Each Christmas, you add one with a new picture: a baby’s first Christmas, a new house, a pet, or a special holiday trip. Round and square shapes suit close-up portraits, while rectangular ones are good for family photos. Lightweight materials are safer for homes with kids or pets. 

 

17) Photo coasters

A set of photo coasters makes a practical, easy-to-wrap gift. Choose four related images —perhaps four destinations, four family members, or four seasonal photos — for a tidy set. Darker images hide stains better, while lighter ones feel more airy and modern. Many coaster sets are priced low enough to fit under the $25 mark. 

 

18) Photo trivet for the dining table 

For home cooks, a photo trivet is a fun, useful idea. You can feature a family meal, a favourite recipe, or a simple pattern built from a close-up photo. It helps protect the table while adding a personal touch to dinner time. 

 

19) Small flower pot with a photo wrap 

Some photo labs offer small planters or flower pots you can decorate with your own pictures. A photo of grandchildren, a pet, or a favourite landscape can wrap around the pot. Add a small plant and you have a complete, personalized gift still under $25, if you keep the pot size modest. 

 

Memory keepers & story-based gifts 

 

20) Budget-friendly softcover photobook 

Photobooks don’t have to be expensive. A small softcover book with a simple layout can often stay under $25, especially if you limit page count. Tell one clear story: “Our year in photos”, “Christmas traditions” or “Our trip to the lake.” Keep backgrounds plain and let the images do the talking. 

 

21) Custom pet bandana

A perfect stocking stuffer for the animal lovers in the family — add a favourite photo or your pet’s name to a colourful bandana and turn everyday walks into a fashion statement. It’s a small, affordable way to show love for the furry members of the family while keeping them festive for the holidays. 

 

22) Personalized passport holder 

Ideal for the traveller or snowbird in the family, a photo or monogrammed passport holder makes every trip feel special. Durable, practical, and under $25, it’s a thoughtful gift that keeps cherished memories close from check-in to boarding gate. 

 

23) Customized snow globe 

A nostalgic holiday classic with a modern twist — place a family photo, wedding shot, or baby picture inside a custom snow globe and let the magic swirl. It’s a heart-warming keepsake grandparents adore, bringing a touch of winter wonder to any shelf or mantel. 

 

24) Pet-themed print set 

Pet owners are easy to buy for: they love anything with their cat or dog on it. Put together a little set of prints showing different sides of their pet — sleeping, playing, doing something silly. You can also mix one small enlargement with several mini prints. 

 

25) Funny custom photo shirt 

Add a dose of laughter to gift-giving with a t-shirt printed with a silly family snapshot, an inside joke, or a pet’s best expression. It’s light-hearted, personal, and budget-friendly — sure to get smiles when it’s unwrapped (and every time it’s worn). 

 

A few quick tips before you order :

• Check resolution: Aim for around 300 DPI at the final print size. In practice, that means higher-resolution photos work better for bigger items like calendars, mugs, and coasters. 

• Mind the crop: Use the preview tools carefully — faces and key details should sit away from the edges in case of trimming. 

• Keep colours natural: sRGB JPEGs with light editing usually print more predictably than heavily filtered images. 

• Order early: Custom items like calendars, mugs, and ornaments often have Christmas cut-off dates. Standard prints are usually the fastest option if you’re running late. 
   

Ready to buy? Check out Jean Coutu custom photo gift collections to tick off a big part of your Christmas list.