Print and personalise: next-level Valentine's photo gifts they’ll love
Spent way too long Googling ‘personalised gifts for Valentine's Day’? Struggling to find something that’s actually unique? Your search ends here. Today, we’re showing you how to create ultra-authentic photo gifts using our instax Link™ smartphone printers. Get ready to win over your loved one with these genius Valentine’s photo makes.
Suss out the right snaps for your Valentine’s photo gifts
Candlelit dinner with bae on the cards? Got a Galentine’s date with your bestie coming up? You wouldn’t want to turn up empty-handed.
Luckily, your instax™ smartphone printer gives you endless possibilities for gifts. It’s always there on standby, ready to kick into action, and help you slay the gifting assignment. The bit your printer can’t do? Select your most gift-worthy snaps (that’s your job). If you’ve no clue where to start, use these simple ideas as inspo:
Piece together your year, month by month
Timeline-style gifts always go down a treat. Instead of selecting pics at random, aim to grab a shot from each month. Include snaps that capture you both chilling at home, that candid straight-to-camera gaze after a cute moment — maybe even that energy buzz after an unforgettable concert. Even if you’re not at the ‘moving in together stage’ yet, remembering those all-important dates will show them they’re living rent-free in your head.
Dig out hidden gems from your holiday archives
From cocktails on the beach to dune buggy rides in the desert, nothing says ‘you’re my no 1’ like those romantic vacay visuals. Grab everything from tropical sunset shots to rainy staycation scenes. And don’t forget to include any iconic holiday fits that you both felt fire in. Let’s be real, holidays with your SO are the ultimate mood booster.
Replay the moments that made you both feel unstoppable
Nailed a viral recipe together? Secured tickets to Glasto? Big wins hit different when you're celebrating together. Screenshot those hype messages, snap those victory poses, and don't sleep on the impromptu celebratory takeaways. Those moments when you both understood the assignment and absolutely ate it up? They need to be in there.
Feature your fav ‘you had to be there’ moments
Those funny moments together that mean nothing to anyone else? Add them in. Whether it’s a photo of that guy you kept bumping into on holiday (and named), a snap from the evening you decided to start a spontaneous rap battle, or a shot of that time you got drenched in the rain — all those memories are precious and hilarious. Be sure to include them so you can look back and laugh together.
Store those magnetic moments on a photo tree
Like the sound of a sentimental gift that doubles up as decor? This ultra-aesthetic moment isn’t just giving ‘stylish gift vibes’, it's also bringing thoughtfulness in abundance. Fill it with dance floor antics, memorable meals, and all those good times together.
To create your photo tree, you'll need:
- A selection of large, dry twigs
- A large pot
- A block of polystyrene slightly smaller than your pot
- A selection of big and small stones
- A roll of ribbon
- Scissors
- Sticky tape
- A selection of instant prints
- Optional: battery-operated fairy lights (if you're feeling extra)
Start by arranging your branches. Push them into the polystyrene to form a tree-like shape or be more abstract — if you want, you can snip them to even them out.
Next, transfer your twigs and polystyrene into your pot and fill with stones. It’s best to place the larger stones towards the bottom and smaller ones on top. This’ll help with stability.
Next, cut short lengths of ribbon and loop them to make hooks. Secure them in place with tape on the back of your instant film prints.
Finally, fill up your tree with your film, add fairy lights, and watch your memories come to life on each branch.
Which is the best printer for your photo tree? Use our SQUARE Link™ printer to print off classic SQUARE™ film for an instantly timeless aesthetic.
Keep the flame alive with a memory matchbox
A tiny treasure chest of memories? We're here for it. Take a large empty matchbox and transform it into a time capsule of your relationship. Pop in prints featuring your top-tier dates, stack them in chronological order, and watch their face light up as they slide open the matchbox drawer.
Ready to make it even more of a moment? Create a concertina situation inside — fold a strip of card like a mini accordion, stick your prints onto each panel, and suddenly you've got a whole timeline that unfolds like magic.
If you need some help with those folds, check out our 5 quick and easy instax™ craft projects and scroll down to the accordion video for step-by-step instructions.
The best printer for your memory matchbox? Use our mini Link 3™ printer and cute heart patterned mini film to create adorable prints that fit snugly inside your matchbox.
Monthly love mail, sealed with a kiss
Monthly happiness delivery? Sign us up.
This is another really simple one. Grab 12 aesthetic envelopes and fill each one with a print and a little 'remember when' note that'll have them feeling all the feels. It’s giving ‘old school romance’ but make it 2025.
Doing months of the year? Write the month on the outside of the envelope so they know which one to open and when.
The best printer for your monthly love mail? Use the instax Link WIDE™ and our dedicated WIDE film for even more magic in each envelope.
Create your own happily ever after with a memory book
Ready to craft your own love story? Be the main characters and make it happen with a memory book. Start from your meet-cute and take them on a journey through all your iconic moments together.
To create your memory book, you'll need:
- An empty scrapbook
- A mix of prints
- Relationship keepsakes. Think: gig tickets, restaurant receipts, festival wristbands
- Double-sided tape or glue stick
Start by laying out your prints and keepsakes. Group them by theme or date — whatever tells your story best. You’ll want to do a rough arrangement before sticking anything down.
Next, begin filling your pages. Start with larger prints as focal points, then build around them with smaller prints and your mementos. Leave enough space around each item so your pages don't look too crowded.
Finally, add written personal touches. Write little captions with dates and place names. Add fun song lyrics you were both singing for weeks. Jot down inside jokes that'll have them looking at you with that knowing smile. Those handwritten details are how you go from ‘basic effort’ to ‘babe you're the best’.
Which printer should you use for your memory book? It’s essentially a scrap book — so — all of them. Mix and match print sizes and play around with layering to make your book even more dynamic.
And don’t forget to have fun with film
You and boo have some insanely good photos together. Why play it safe with film? Make your gift a whole vibe by experimenting with fun frames or colour palettes. Lean into the romance theme with our pink gradient or love hearts film. Try our sunset film for dreamy holiday snaps. Or, make your love the main event with our chic black and white border film.
Make their Valentine’s Day with instax™ cameras and printers
Don’t just take, give. Make your Valentine’s gifts extra special with instax™ cameras and printers. Wherever you’re headed and whoever you’re spending it with — say it with sentimental snaps this year.
