Get Your 1,000 Words' Worth

There are so many gifts you can make with photos (including, um, framed photographs), but it is early enough in the season right now that there is plenty of time to have some cool gifts custom made with your favorite pictures (old or new).

Be sure to pick photos that will be meaningful and loved by the recipient (see if you can use a photo he/she hasn't seen for a while -- if ever). And please don't just slap a picture on a coffee mug -- think about what your giftee will use and enjoy!

Here are five ideas to get things rolling:

1. The photo book. If you have a lot of photos, it's easy to upload your pictures online to create a beautiful bound book -- ideal for capturing vacation memories, family history, special events, baby's first year, favorite sports shots, whatever. There are a lot of book producers out there now; I have seen good ones made by KodakGallery.com, Picaboo.com and Snapfish.com.

2. Photo memory box. Pick a favorite, meaningful photo and have it made into a tile on a beautiful laquered box. Bonus points if you fill the box with something special (jewelry, a gift card, cash, chocolate kisses or a personal note, perhaps). I just ordered a very nice personalized photo keepsake box from CafePress.com for $23.

3. A locket. You can use your computer and printer to shrink down a great photo and add it to a piece of jewelry to create sentimental, wearable art. UncommonGoods.com sells a pretty sterling silver and glass locket for $48.

4. Playing Cards. If you are finding a gift for someone who loves to play games (or your resident poker player), simply find a good (vertical) photo and upload it -- easier than a game of 52-card pickup! You can find photo cards for $20.99 at KodakGallery.com.

5. A Jigsaw Puzzle. This is a good idea if you are putting together a gift for someone who enjoys puzzles (duh), but it could also be a fun one if he/she will be spending the holidays with a group who could have fun working on the puzzle together during their downtime (apres ski, perhaps?). KodakGallery.com has 252-piece puzzles with matching box for $24.99.

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