Wrap It Real Nice – Christmas Gifts, instax™ Style

Look, we all know that moment when you’ve spent ages picking the perfect gift, only to wrap it in whatever paper you grabbed at the till. But what if your wrapping could be just as thoughtful as what’s inside? Enter: instant photos.

This year, we’re turning gift wrap into something way more personal – and honestly, more fun. With instax™, your wrapping becomes an extension of the gift itself, a reminder of all the good times you've had together.

Turn your pics into gift tags

Sure, stick-on labels do the job, but if you want to add a bit of personality to your gifts, instant photos make brilliant gift tags.

Grab your instax mini 12™ or mini 41™ and capture a pic of you and the person you’re gifting to. Maybe it’s from that festival you went to together, or just a random Tuesday coffee run. Once you've got your print, attach it to the gift with a bit of washi tape for an instant gift tag that's worth keeping.

The best part? They’ll probably stick it on their wall or slip it into their phone case after. Your wrapping just became a keepsake.

Match your prints to your vibe

Here’s where it gets fun. Think of your wrapping paper as a canvas, and your prints as the final touch. 

Got minimalist brown paper? Add a single instant photo tied with black ribbon. Going full festive with shiny paper? Print a pic with holiday vibes and let it pop against the colour. The key is making it feel intentional, not random.

With the instax mini Link 3™ or SQUARE Link™, you can print straight from your phone, so you can scroll through your camera roll and find the exact pic that matches your wrapping aesthetic. Easy.

DIY mini print collages

For gifts that deserve a little extra love, create a mini collage right on the gift box.

Print 3-4 pics that tell a story – maybe your friendship timeline, or photos from the year you’ve had together. Arrange them on the gift like a little grid, secure with washi tape or double-sided tape, and you’ve got yourself wrapping that feels like an actual art project.

This works especially well for bigger boxes. The instax mini LiPlay+™ is great for this because you can edit and add filters before you print, so all your pics match the vibe.

Memory-themed wrapping

This one’s for the people who really get you. Instead of just one pic, theme your wrapping around a specific memory.

Wrapping for your travel buddy? Print pics from your last trip together. For your childhood bestie? Dig into those throwback photos. For family? Pull prints from past Christmases and make it a full nostalgia moment.

The instax™ SQUARE Link is perfect for this because the bigger format makes each print feel more like a little poster. Plus, the square shape just looks cooler when you’re arranging multiple prints.

Make photo ornaments

Here’s a move that’ll actually blow people’s minds: turn your instax™ prints into tiny ornaments that double as gift decorations.

Print a pic and stick it to a piece of card that's slightly bigger than the photo. Punch a hole through the card at the top (not the photo itself - this keeps it from getting damaged), and tie it to your gift. They can hang it on their tree after, or keep it as a bookmark, or stick it literally anywhere. It’s a gift topper that keeps on giving.

The reuse factor

Unlike a regular gift tag that gets ripped off and tossed away, your instax™ prints stick around. They become fridge magnets (pop them in instax™ magnetic frames), wall art, journal inserts, or just get tucked into a memory box. You’re giving someone a little piece of a moment you shared.

Quick tips for photo wrapping that looks good

Keep it balanced. Don’t go overboard with prints. Sometimes one great photo is better than five random ones.

Think about colour. Match your print vibe to your paper. Warm-toned pics work with kraft paper. Bright, colourful shots pop on solid colours.

Use simple ribbon. Let the photos be the star. Twine, thin ribbon, or even plain string works better than anything too fancy.

Print extras. Have backups. You never know when you’ll want to swap one out or add an extra pic.

Which instax™ to use?

All of them, honestly. But here’s the vibe check:

instax mini 12™ or mini 41™ – Classic instant cameras for capturing spontaneous moments. Snap pics while you're wrapping and turn them into gift tags on the spot.

instax mini Link 3™ or SQUARE Link™ – Print from your phone, so you can curate exactly which pics you want. Great for planning ahead.

instax mini LiPlay+™ - Edit before you print, add filters, make everything match. This is the one if you want your wrapping to look really cohesive.

The bottom line

This is genuinely the easiest way to level up your gift game. Grab some instant prints, get creative with it, and people will be just as hyped about the wrapping as what's inside.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not about the perfect bow, or the most expensive paper. It’s about giving moments, not just things. And with instax™, that’s exactly what you’re doing. 

So go grab your camera, capture some memories, and wrap it real nice this Christmas. Your gifts are definitely going to stand out this year. 

Want more creative ways to use your instax™? Check out our Inspiration page for more ideas.