A few printed photos, some glue, maybe a bit of glitter, and good memories. You envisioned yourself spending the perfect afternoon creating special ornaments to hang on the tree for years to come. Then reality sets in! Sticky fingers, crooked ribbon, and a picture just a bit off-center that you cannot unstick, of course.
DIY ornaments can be great fun, and the truth is, there is something special about making them. But when it comes to photo ornaments that need to stand the test of time, the ones that you actually want to take out of storage in 10 years, there's more to the story.
As engravers of keepsakes for over 20 years and from personalizing a million ornaments, we can share one important fact: Some memories deserve more than a weekend project.
The Joy (and Struggle) of DIY
We get it; DIY takes love, time, and intention. You pick the photo, design the layout, and for a moment, it does feel like magic.
However, most homemade ornaments are not made to last. The paper will fade, the glue dries yellow, and fine materials will shred after a few attic seasons. One day you’ll open that old storage box and find the photo smudged, the ink bled, the hanger long gone. What was once a sweet idea becomes a fragile relic.
It was a lovely moment, but not a forever memento.
DIY ornaments are made in the moment. They occupy a Saturday afternoon full of giggles and delight. But truthfully, it’s not an ornament you would want to give to someone ten years later. And if the memory meant that much to you, then it is nice to have something that doesn't fall apart before the next move.
Why Professional Craftsmanship Wins
All of our custom photo ornaments are engraved with a laser, giving you accuracy and precision. No glue, no fading ink, and no cracked plastic that splits as you unwrap it. The name, date, and image are engraved exactly as you typed. This means that decades later, the ornament will look just as perfect as the day you gifted it.
DIY projects are made with whatever is available: paper, tape, maybe a little crafty paint. We construct all of our projects with solid glass, wood, and ceramic to preserve all the details. All personalised ornaments pass through engraving, polishing, and finally gift wrapping.
Our customized ornaments take all the stress out of it. Laser-engraved, processed, and shipped in 24 hours. Every piece comes gift-wrapped and ready to give, so you can concentrate on the important part: finding the best photo and seeing someone light up when they open it.
How My Ornament Crafts Memories For You
You don't have to choose between personal and professional.
My Ornament allows you to upload a photo, choose your design, add your date or phrase, and you still get the handmade feel, without the messy hot glue gun.
You do the creating; we just make it permanent.
Our ornament combines the creative excitement of DIY with the reliability of professional engraving. And what does that amount to? An ornament that looks just like a vision board, but you can trust it to last a lifetime. In a personalised ornament like the ones we craft, you get the soul of a handmade ornament with the finish of heirloom quality. A total win-win, if you ask us.
Make, or Make It Last?
Both DIY and professional ornaments come from the same place: love. One captures a fun afternoon full of glitter and laughter; the other carries those memories forward for a lifetime.
After more than 20 years and a million+ personalized photo ornaments, we know the happiness that keepsakes can bring. An ornament that still looks perfect in 2035, the ornament that your daughter hangs on her own tree one day? These are memories in ornaments that won't fade, crack, or break apart in a box.
Create your custom photo ornament today, crafted with care, engraved to last, and ready to gift.
