Gifting & seasonal

A Christmas gift that isn't a thing: digitising a lifetime of family photos

For the family that has agreed to skip Christmas presents, this is the one that everyone still says yes to.

4 min read

A Christmas gift that isn't a thing: digitising a lifetime of family photos

'Please don't get me anything' is the most common phrase in the run-up to Christmas, and it usually means 'please don't get me another thing.' A digital archive isn't a thing. It's an experience the recipient owns forever.

Why it works as a Christmas gift specifically

Christmas is the one time of year when several generations of a family end up in the same room, looking at old photographs. Having those photographs digitised and shareable — on a tablet, on a smart TV, in a family group chat — turns a coffee-table nostalgia session into something the grandchildren actually engage with.

The logistics

You don't need everything in the box by Christmas Day. A voucher is enough on the day, and the box can go into the post any time in the new year.

Trusted with family archives

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