One of my favorite holiday traditions is adding something personal to every gift. A beautiful ribbon is lovely… but a DIY photo gift topper turns a present into a keepsake. These photo ornaments work two ways: clipped onto a bow for wrapping and hung on the tree after gifts are opened. It’s simple, sentimental, and reusable year after year.

For me, this particular project is deeply meaningful. I created photo ornaments using pictures of Cody, and they’re now part of how our family remembers and honors him each Christmas. Whether you choose a favorite childhood photo, a pet portrait, a “from us” snapshot, or a snowy scene, every DIY photo gift topper tells a story.

If you’ve been wanting gift wrap that feels thoughtful without being complicated, you’re going to love how easy and impactful this project is.

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Why a DIY Photo Gift Topper Is the Most Meaningful Detail

There’s something powerful about a photograph—it carries memory, emotion, and connection in a way nothing store-bought ever will. A DIY photo gift topper:

• Makes every gift personal without extra cost

• Doubles as a tree ornament after unwrapping

• Becomes a keepsake that’s saved year after year

• Works for adults, kids, and even pets

• Elevates simple brown paper into a custom gift moment

It’s one of those details that stops people in their tracks. Guests always ask about them. And the best part? You can make an entire batch in one evening.

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DIY Photo Gift Topper Supplies

Everything I used for these photo gift toppers is affordable and easy to find. You may already have most of this at home.

What You’ll Need:

• Small vertical or horizontal photo frames (these are the ones I used)

• Printed photos (wallet size or trimmed to fit)

• Ribbon or velvet ribbon (for hanging + tying onto gifts)

• Hole punch or mini drill (if your frame doesn’t already have a loop)

• Scissors or paper trimmer

• Gift wrap (see my guide here)

• Gift tags (optional)

• Pretty paper, tissue, or twine for styling

Optional:

• Dried greenery

• Faux jingle bells

• Wax seal sticker

• Gold paint pen for writing dates on the back

• Printer and matte photo paper (if printing at home)

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How to Make a DIY Photo Gift Topper Ornament

This DIY photo gift topper project is about as simple as it gets—no hot glue, no mess, no complicated steps.

Step 1: Choose Your Photos

Pick images that are meaningful for the recipient:

• Baby and childhood photos

• Family portraits

• Pets

• Holiday snapshots

• Black-and-white heirloom photos

• Winter scenery or names if you prefer a neutral look

For “from us” gifts, a family photo makes it feel incredibly personal without being too sentimental.

Step 2: Print and Trim

Trim photos to fit your mini frame size. Many home printers let you print multiple wallet-size photos per sheet if you want efficiency.

Step 3: Assemble the Frame

Open your frame, insert the photo, and close it securely.

Step 4: Add Ribbon

If your frame already has a loop, thread ribbon through and tie a bow.
If it doesn’t, punch a tiny hole in the corner and add ribbon.

Make the ribbon long enough to:

• Tie through a bow on a gift

• Hang from the tree later

Step 5: Style on Packages

Once your DIY photo gift topper is finished, tuck it into your ribbon or lay it over your bow for an effortless heirloom look.

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Styling Ideas for Your DIY Photo Gift Topper

These ornaments are incredibly versatile. Here are a few favorite ways to use them:

On Gifts

• Tie one directly onto the bow

• Layer it on top of folded ribbon

• Use it as the name tag instead of a paper tag

• Pair with dried greenery or bells for texture

• Use kraft paper to let the photo shine

On the Tree

• Group several on a single branch

• Mix in ribbon-hung photos between ornaments

• Use them along a garland

• Create a full “memory tree” section with family photos

• Add dates or names to the back

On Stockings

Clip photo toppers onto ribbon-loop stockings for a personal touch.

As Place Cards

Use as a holiday place setting name holder at the table. Guests take theirs home at the end of the night.

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DIY Photo Gift Topper for Holidays and Hosting

These also make meaningful details for:

• Holiday dinner parties

• Christmas Eve gatherings

• Memorial tables

• Baby’s first Christmas

• Pet memorials

• Wedding or engagement Christmases

A DIY photo gift topper doesn’t just sit on a box—it becomes part of the memory of the day itself.

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Why This Project Was Personal for Me

This year, my ornaments were made with photos of Cody.

Every photo reminds us that love doesn’t end at the holidays—it becomes part of them. These little frames let me place his face gently into the season instead of hiding the ache away. And that has changed everything.

If you’re walking through a season with loss—or just longing—this project might become something sacred for you too.

Or if you’re filled with joy, celebrating grandchildren, new babies, or first homes, these ornaments become a timeline of life hanging quietly in your Christmas tree branches.

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Assembly Tips

If you’re making several:

• Print all photos first

• Cut everything at once

• Batch ribbon lengths

• Set up an assembly line

• Store extras in labeled bags for next year

I promise—your future self will thank you.

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Storage & Reuse

After the holidays:

• Store in small labeled pouches

• Wrap in tissue to avoid scratches

• Add year labels on the back

Over time, your DIY photo gift topper collection becomes a visual family history.

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DIY Photo Gift Topper Frequently Asked Questions

Can these be reused?

Yes! Replace the photo insert when you want or reuse as is.

Is it safe for gifts?

Yes. They simply tie into the ribbon.

Can kids make these?

Absolutely. Let children choose photos and tie ribbons.

What if I don’t want photos?

Use names, winter scenes, artwork, or handwritten notes.

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Final Thoughts on Creating a DIY Photo Gift Topper

A DIY photo gift topper might seem like a small thing.
But it’s not.

It’s storytelling.
It’s memory.
It’s love tied in ribbon.

And that’s what the holidays are really about.

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🎄 Gift Topper Blog Hop 🎄

Below are more beautiful gift-topper ideas from this year’s blog hop. Be sure to visit each creator and gather even more inspiration for your holiday wrapping:

Blogger’s Best Holiday Christmas Tags

DIY Photo Gift Topper Ornaments (That Double as Tree Decor) | My Sweet Savannah

Make meaningful DIY photo gift topper ornaments using family pictures, pets, or snowy scenes. Easy tutorial and styling ideas included.

Beaded Name Gift Tag | Craftberry Bush

These cute little personalized gift tags can be repurposed as a key chain or purse chain.

Clay Initial Tags | Most Lovely Things

Make simple clay tags with initials to use on packages, stockings, napkin rings…save and reuse them from year to year!

Handmade Christmas Gift Tags | My 100 Year Old Home

This season, I decided to create my own Handmade Christmas Gift Tags using a mix of sketching and wax sealing. They turned out beautifully as they are whimsical, vintage-inspired, and perfectly imperfect in all the best ways.

DIY Christmas Gift Tags | Happy Happy Nester

DIY Christmas Gift Tags are such a cute and personal way to make your holiday gifts feel extra special! Instead of a standard paper tag, these shiny gold letters attach right to your ribbon — and you can spell out any name you like. They look festive, feel thoughtful, and take just minutes to make. If you love easy holiday projects that look like you spent way more time on them, you’re going to adore this one!