Best Photo Ornaments of 2026: 6 Options Compared

Best photo ornaments at a glance

• Best overall photo ornament: The Remento Ornament ($29.99). A 2.87-inch ceramic photo ornament with a QR code on the back that plays unlimited voice and video stories from the whole family. The only ornament in this set that holds the story behind the photo.
• Best for fast shipping: Mpix Custom Ornament ($19.99). Glossy aluminum printed on both sides, eight shapes, and shipped in 1 to 2 business days.
• Best metal photo ornament: Shutterfly Metal Ornament ($24.99). Coated aluminum in four shapes with photos and text on both sides, backed by 2,700+ reviews.
• Best heart-shaped photo ornament: Personalization Mall Porcelain Heart ($34.99). A 3D porcelain heart with one photo and two lines of text, shipped in 1 to 2 days.
• Best rustic wood photo ornament: Personal Creations Picture-Perfect Photo Round Ornament ($19.99). A 3.75-inch wood round with an optional message and a velveteen gift bag.
• Best artist-designed photo ornament: Minted Custom Ceramic Photo Ornament ($45). A 3-inch printed ceramic ornament designed and made by an independent artist.

The best photo ornaments do more than hang a picture on the tree. They hold onto a moment: the first Christmas in a new house, a grandparent laughing on the couch, a trip the whole family still talks about. Most photo ornaments capture what the moment looked like. Very few capture what it sounded like.

This guide compares six photo ornaments (the Remento Ornament, Mpix, Shutterfly, Personalization Mall, Personal Creations, and Minted) on four criteria: memory and storytelling, ornament quality, value, and ease of ordering and gifting. Every product was scored on the same scale, using details published on each brand's own website.

What is a photo ornament?

A photo ornament is a Christmas tree ornament printed with, or framed around, a photo you choose. It's one of the most popular personalized Christmas gifts because it turns a single favorite picture into something a family brings out every December.

A photo ornament is different from a name or date ornament, which personalizes with text only. Photo ornaments come in ceramic, porcelain, metal, wood, glass, and stone, and some newer designs go beyond the print: a recordable photo ornament can play a voice or video message tied to the picture.

The best photo ornaments compared

Information pulled October 2026. Prices may change during the holidays; check each site before ordering.

How were these photo ornaments evaluated?

All six photo ornaments were evaluated against the same four criteria, and each product review below shows how that ornament scored on every one of them.

• Memory and storytelling: Does the photo ornament hold more than a picture or a name? Can it carry the story behind the moment, in someone's voice or on video, and can more than one person add to it?
• Ornament quality: Material, size, print or finish, durability, and how it arrives (ribbon, gift box, or pouch).
• Value: What the price includes, any bundle or multi-ornament pricing, and whether anything costs extra later.
• Ease of ordering and gifting: Design and preview tools, production and shipping time, how clearly the holiday order-by date is posted, and how gift-ready it is out of the box.

Each criterion is scored from 1 to 5, and the overall score is the average of the four, weighted equally and rounded to one decimal. Scores reflect what each brand publishes on its own website as of October 2026, including prices, specs, shipping times, and on-site review ratings where shown.

The Remento Ornament: Best Overall Photo Ornament

Score: 4.8/5

Price: $29.99 plus shipping; four-pack $89.97 (buy 3, get the 4th free, one photo across all four).

A ceramic photo ornament that plays the story behind the picture, told by the people who were there.

Upload any photo, preview it, and Remento prints it on a 2.87-inch ceramic ornament with a unique QR code on the back. Right after ordering, record the story behind the photo in audio or video from any phone or computer, then send an invite link so family and friends can add their own.

Anyone who scans the QR code with a phone camera can play every recording, with no app or subscription needed, and no account needed to listen.  Recordings and contributors are unlimited, recordings stay hosted with no subscription, and each one can be downloaded. Start from any photo or pick an occasion design, from Baby's First Christmas to Graduation.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Plays recorded voice and video stories, not just a picture.
• Unlimited recordings and contributors, so the whole family can add a message.
• No app or subscription needed, and no account needed to listen. 
• Gift-boxed and ready to hang.
• Recordings can be downloaded and saved outside Remento.

Cons

• Made to order, so allow 6 to 9 business days. Order by December 14, 2026 for delivery by December 24.
• Ships within the U.S. only, with shipping added at checkout.

How it scored

Memory and storytelling: 5/5

The only ornament in this roundup that carries more than a printed image. Unlimited audio and video recordings from unlimited contributors sit one scan away, and families can keep adding stories in future years.

Ornament quality: 4.5/5

Ceramic, 2.87 inches, with the photo on the front and the QR code on the back. It arrives in a decorative gift box with a red hanging ribbon, and there's no battery or speaker to wear out because recordings play on the phone that scans it.

Value: 5/5

One price covers the ornament, the gift box, and unlimited hosted recordings, with no subscription. The four-pack brings each ornament to about $22.49, which suits siblings or grandparents who all want the same photo.

Ease of ordering and gifting: 4.5/5

Upload, preview, and order in a few minutes. Recording can start right after purchase, so the ornament can arrive with stories already on it, shipped to you or straight to the recipient. Ornaments are made to order in 6 to 9 business days, with a clearly posted order-by date of December 14, 2026 for delivery by December 24.

"I love that you can send a picture and just say, can you tell me about this picture? And then you can see his face light up while he's remembering it."
Jennifer H., Remento customer, on recording stories behind family photos

Verdict: The best photo ornament for anyone who wants the picture and the story behind it on the tree, in the voices of the people who were there.

Make your Remento photo ornament • $29.99

Mpix Custom Ornament: Best for Fast Shipping

Score: 4.5/5

Price: $19.99 per ornament; a quantity discount applies to multiples of the same design, and gift packaging is extra.

A glossy aluminum photo ornament printed on both sides, in eight shapes, shipped within two business days.

Mpix prints photos on 1/16-inch aluminum with a glossy finish, front and back, in eight shapes: circle, scalloped circle, Christmas ball, ornate square, ornate, gift tag, oval, and snowflake (2.25 to 4.33 inches). Wording and colors are editable with an online preview, and Mpix says each ornament is handmade in the USA.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Printed on both sides, with room for two photos.
• Eight shapes to choose from.
• Ships in 1 to 2 business days.
• 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Cons

• No voice, video, or story beyond the print.
• Gift packaging costs extra.
• An account is required to design one.

How it scored

Memory and storytelling: 4/5

Up to two photos plus custom text across the front and back leave room for a caption or date. The story stays in print, though: there's no way to attach a voice or video.

Ornament quality: 4.5/5

Premium glossy aluminum, made in the USA, with the widest shape selection in this roundup and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Mpix warns that faces 1/4 inch or smaller may print soft or blurry.

Value: 5/5

$19.99 for one ornament, tied for the lowest price in this roundup, with a discount on matching designs. Boutique gift packaging is an added cost.

Ease of ordering and gifting: 4.5/5

An online designer with preview, and Mpix prints and ships within 48 hours. Designing requires an Mpix account, and no holiday order-by date is posted on the product page.

Verdict: A strong pick for a quick, durable, double-sided photo ornament when the picture and a caption say everything you need.

Shutterfly Upload Your Own Design Metal Ornament: Best Metal Photo Ornament

Score: 4.3/5

Price: $24.99.

A lightweight coated-aluminum photo ornament with photos and text on both sides, backed by the largest review base in this roundup.

Shutterfly's metal ornament comes in four shapes: a 3.25-inch round, a 3.125-inch square, a 3 x 4-inch rectangle bracket, and a 3 x 5-inch gift tag. It's designed for one photo, with photos and text (a family name, a year, or a note) on both sides. Each ornament ships with a red ribbon and a soft storage pouch.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Durable, lightweight aluminum.
• Four shapes, printed on both sides.
• 2,700+ reviews averaging 4.66 stars.

Cons

• Designed for one photo.
• No voice, video, or recorded messages.
• Ships in a storage pouch, not a gift box.
• No production time or holiday cutoff posted on the product page.

How it scored

Memory and storytelling: 3.5/5

One photo plus front-and-back text covers the basics: who, when, and a short note. Like the other print-only ornaments here, it can't hold a voice or video.

Ornament quality: 4.5/5

Durable, lightweight coated aluminum, imported and personalized in the USA. Shutterfly shows a 4.66 rating from 2,726 reviews, the largest review base in this roundup.

Value: 4.5/5

$24.99 for a one-photo ornament, in the middle of this roundup's price range, with a storage pouch rather than a gift box.

Ease of ordering and gifting: 4.5/5

Shutterfly's design tools are familiar to many families. The page asks for a ZIP code to estimate arrival and doesn't list production time or a holiday cutoff, and it ships in a pouch rather than a gift box.

Verdict: A dependable, well-reviewed pick for a sturdy, two-sided photo ornament.

Personalization Mall Family Photo Personalized Deluxe Heart Ornament: Best Heart-Shaped Photo Ornament

Score: 4.1/5

Price: $34.99; personalization included.

A polished porcelain 3D heart with one photo and two optional lines of text, shipped in 1 to 2 days.

Personalization Mall prints one photo that fades out at the edges of a 3D porcelain heart (3 inches wide, 3 inches tall, 1 1/4 inches deep), with up to two optional lines of text in your choice of font. The back is plain white porcelain. It hangs from a satin grey hanger with a bow and an antique matte silver cap.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Porcelain heart shape stands out on the tree.
• Personalization included in the price.
• Ships in 1 to 2 days.

Cons

• Printed on one side only.
• The photo is cropped and faded to fit the heart.
• No voice, video, or story beyond two lines of text.

How it scored

Memory and storytelling: 3.5/5

One photo and two short text lines on one side. A sweet way to frame a favorite picture, with no room for the story behind it.

Ornament quality: 4.5/5

Glistening, ultra-polished porcelain in a 3D heart shape. Personalization Mall shows 4.7 stars from 24 reviews; a few reviewers mention off-center photo placement.

Value: 4/5

$34.99 with personalization included, a few dollars more than the Remento Ornament.

Ease of ordering and gifting: 4.5/5

Ships in 1 to 2 days with express options. No gift box is listed, and no holiday cutoff is posted on the product page.

Verdict: A pretty heart-shaped home for one favorite photo, ready to ship fast.

Personal Creations Picture-Perfect Photo Round Ornament: Best Rustic Wood Photo Ornament

Score: 4.0/5

Price: $19.99; personalization included.

A 3.75-inch wood photo ornament with an optional message, packed in a velveteen gift bag.

Personal Creations offers this 3.75-inch wood round in two designs, Photo and Photo with Message. It comes with a white ribbon for hanging and a velveteen drawstring bag for gifting and storage. Personalization is free, and the brand backs it with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Low price with free personalization.
• 4.8 stars from 767 reviews.
• Velveteen gift bag included.
• Satisfaction guarantee.

Cons

• Number of photos and sides isn't stated.
• No voice, video, or recorded messages.
• No holiday order-by date on the product page.

How it scored

Memory and storytelling: 3/5

A photo with an optional message. The product page doesn't say how many photos fit or whether both sides print, and there's no voice or video option.

Ornament quality: 4/5

Wood with a rustic look and the largest diameter here at 3.75 inches. Personal Creations shows 4.8 stars from 767 reviews.

Value: 4.5/5

$19.99 with free personalization and a gift bag included, tied for the lowest price in this roundup.

Ease of ordering and gifting: 4.5/5

The page shows an earliest arrival of October 27 but no production time or holiday cutoff, so order early in December.

Verdict: A charming, budget-friendly choice for families who love a rustic, wood-and-ribbon tree.

Minted Custom Ceramic Photo Ornament: Best Artist-Designed Photo Ornament

Score: 3.8/5

Price: $45.

A 3-inch printed ceramic ornament with your photo and a custom line of text, designed and made by an independent artist.

Minted's "Vacation Memory" ornament is designed and printed by artist Holly Whitcomb in her Nebraska studio. It's a 3-inch round of printed ceramic with your photo and custom text, such as a location, finished with a green velvet ribbon. The artist sells and ships it directly: you share your photo by Dropbox or Google Drive link, or the seller emails you for it after you order.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Artist-designed and printed in the USA.
• Ceramic with a velvet ribbon.
• A thoughtful format for a favorite trip.

Cons

• Highest price in this roundup.
• 15-day production, with a December 9 cutoff.
• No online preview, and no voice or video.

How it scored

Memory and storytelling: 3/5

A photo plus a custom location line makes it a natural travel keepsake. It holds the picture and a few words, with no voice or video.

Ornament quality: 4.5/5

Printed ceramic, 3 inches, made by hand in an artist's studio. The closest material match to the Remento Ornament in this roundup.

Value: 3.5/5

At $45, it's the highest-priced ornament in this set, reflecting its small-batch, artist-made production.

Ease of ordering and gifting: 4/5

Ships in 15 days from Omaha, and orders placed after December 9 ship the week of January 5. There's no online preview before ordering.

Verdict: A lovely splurge for a single travel memory, if you order early.

How to choose the best photo ornament

The right photo ornament comes down to four questions: what it's made of, whether it holds anything beyond the picture, how much you want to spend, and how soon you need it.

What material is best for a photo ornament?

Each material gives a photo a different look and feel:

• Ceramic and porcelain: a smooth, giftable finish that feels like a keepsake (Remento, Minted, Personalization Mall).
• Metal: light, durable, and often printed on both sides (Mpix, Shutterfly).
• Wood: a warm, rustic look that suits farmhouse-style trees (Personal Creations).

Should a photo ornament play a voice or video?

A printed photo shows what a moment looked like. A recordable photo ornament keeps what it sounded like: a laugh, a toast, the story of how the picture came to be. Remento's take on it is simple: your photos are only half the story.

Some recordable Christmas ornaments use a built-in speaker and battery. The Remento Ornament has neither, because recordings live online and play on the phone that scans the QR code, and anyone in the family can add a new message later.

One photo, two sides, or many messages?

Most photo ornaments hold one photo, and some (Mpix, Shutterfly) print on both sides. If more than one person wants to be part of the gift, look for an ornament that lets several people contribute. The Remento Ornament takes unlimited recordings from unlimited people on a single photo.

How much should a photo ornament cost?

Photo ornaments in this roundup run from $19.99 (Mpix and Personal Creations) to $45 (Minted). Most print-only ornaments fall between $19.99 and $34.99. The Remento Ornament is $29.99, including a gift box and unlimited hosted recordings, or about $22.49 each in a four-pack.

When should you order a photo ornament for Christmas?

Order custom photo ornaments by early December. Remento's cutoff is December 14, 2026 for delivery by December 24, and Minted orders placed after December 9 ship in January. Several brands don't post a holiday cutoff on the product page, so check before ordering.

Which photo ornament is right for you?

• You want the story, not just the picture: the Remento Ornament, so everyone in the photo can record what they remember.
• You need it in a hurry: Mpix or Personalization Mall, which both ship in 1 to 2 days.
• You're buying several on a budget: the Remento four-pack ($89.97, about $22.49 each) for matching ornaments with one photo, or Mpix or Personal Creations at $19.99 each.
• You want a heart shape: Personalization Mall's 3D heart.
• You decorate in a rustic style: Personal Creations' wood round.
• You want an artist-made piece for a favorite trip: Minted, ordered well before December 9.

What should you record on a photo ornament?

If your photo ornament can hold a recording, the photo itself is the prompt. These ideas come from the questions Remento suggests on its ornament page:

• The day the photo was taken.
• What the photo doesn't show.
• Who you wish could hear the story.
• What you want loved ones to know years from now.

Keep it short and natural. A one-minute story told the way you'd tell it at the dinner table is often the one people replay most.

Photo ornament ideas for every occasion

A photo ornament can mark almost any milestone. Here are the occasions Remento designs for, with a photo idea for each:

The bottom line on photo ornaments

The best photo ornament is the one that holds the memory the way your family wants to keep it. If the picture alone says it all, Mpix, Shutterfly, Personalization Mall, Personal Creations, and Minted each do one thing well. If you want the story behind the photo, in the voices of the people who were there, the Remento Ornament leads this set on memory and storytelling and value.

Make your Remento photo ornament • $29.99

Frequently asked questions about photo ornaments

What is a photo ornament?

A photo ornament is a Christmas tree ornament that displays a photo you choose, usually printed on ceramic, porcelain, metal, wood, or glass. It turns a favorite picture into a keepsake the family brings out every year. Some photo ornaments also hold a recorded voice or video message linked to the photo.

What are the best photo ornaments?

The best photo ornaments of 2026 in this comparison are the Remento Ornament (best overall), Mpix (fast shipping), Shutterfly (metal), Personalization Mall (heart-shaped), Personal Creations (rustic wood), and Minted (artist-designed ceramic). The Remento Ornament ranks first because it's the only one that plays unlimited voice and video stories from the whole family. The best fit still depends on your budget, style, and timing.

Can a photo ornament play a voice recording?

Yes. A recordable photo ornament can play a voice or video message tied to the photo. The Remento Ornament has a QR code on the back that plays every recording on any phone, with no app, account, battery, or speaker needed. Family members can keep adding recordings over time.

How much does a custom photo ornament cost?

Custom photo ornaments in this roundup cost from $19.99 (Mpix and Personal Creations) to $45 (Minted). Most print-only options land between $19.99 and $34.99. The Remento Ornament is $29.99 with a gift box and unlimited recordings, or $89.97 for a four-pack with one photo.

What kind of photo works best on an ornament?

Close-up photos with clear faces print best on a small ornament. Remento recommends close-ups with faces and shows a preview before checkout, and Mpix notes that faces smaller than about 1/4 inch on the ornament may print soft. Crop tightly and choose a bright, well-lit photo.

How long does it take to get a custom photo ornament?

It depends on the brand, from about 2 days to more than two weeks. Mpix and Personalization Mall ship in 1 to 2 days, the Remento Ornament is made to order in 6 to 9 business days, and Minted ships in 15 days. For Christmas, order the Remento Ornament by December 14, 2026 and Minted before December 9.

Can more than one person add a message to a photo ornament?

On most photo ornaments, no, because the personalization is printed text. The Remento Ornament is the exception in this roundup: one invite link lets unlimited family and friends record their own audio or video stories, and every recording plays from the same QR code.

Do I need an app to play a recordable photo ornament?

Not with the Remento Ornament. Anyone can scan its QR code with a phone camera to play the recordings, with no app download, account, or password. Recordings can also be downloaded and saved outside Remento.

What is the best site for personalized ornaments?

The best site for personalized ornaments depends on what you want the ornament to hold. For a photo ornament that also plays the story behind the photo, the Remento Ornament is the top pick in this comparison. For print-only photo ornaments, Mpix, Shutterfly, Personalization Mall, Personal Creations, and Minted all personalize ornaments on their own sites, from $19.99 to $45.

What is the most sought-after Hallmark ornament?

Hallmark doesn't name a single most sought-after ornament, and collector demand changes from year to year. Collectors generally look for long-running Keepsake series, dated annual designs, and limited editions. If you want an ornament that's one of a kind to your family rather than a collectible, a personalized photo ornament like the Remento Ornament holds your own photo and recorded stories.

How to turn a photo into an ornament?

To turn a photo into an ornament, pick a bright, close-up photo, upload it to a photo ornament maker, preview the crop, add any text, and order before the holiday cutoff. With the Remento Ornament, you upload the photo, preview it, and then record the story behind it in audio or video, so the ornament arrives with the memory already attached.

Where can I get a photo made into an ornament?

You can get a photo made into an ornament online from any brand in this roundup: Remento, Mpix, Shutterfly, Personalization Mall, Personal Creations, or Minted. Remento prints the photo on a 2.87-inch ceramic ornament with a QR code that plays family recordings, ships it in a gift box in 6 to 9 business days, and takes orders through December 14, 2026 for Christmas delivery.