Turn a Great Photo of Dad and Kids into a Great Gift

You know he doesn't want much, and you know he loves his kids. So maybe the best gift for the dad in your life is a daily reminder of what matters most. There's still time to cajole the kids to pose with their dad for a nice photo, which can be turned into a fun, personal Father's Day gift.

Here's a roundup of some of my favorite photo gift ideas for Dad from some online photo and gift services. The emphasis is on fun, not goofy. No ties with baby-in-a-diaper images repeated from neck to navel. Something he can display but not look like he's bragging about his offspring—at least not too much.

Canvas print: KodakGallery and other online photo services offer this nice option of a canvas print in 16X20 ($90) and 20X24 ($100); add $20 if you want a softened "brushstroke effect." The canvas is stretched around a wooden frame and looks good with or without a formal frame. A nice way to dress up his office wall.

Travel coffee mug: I know. I know. Photo mugs are not terribly original, but I like the idea of a photo to-go cup. That way he can take the fam with him as he sips his hot beverage at the start of every work day. Snapfish (and others) offer a stainless steel, dishwasher-safe travel photo mug for $15.

Pen and pencil holder: Instead of a framed photo on the desk, a photo of the kids can actually help dad organize his desk. Shutterfly (and others) has a 5X5 hardwood holder for $30.

Photo box for stuff: Every dad can use an extra box to put keys, watch, odds and ends, on his bureau. This hardwood keepsake, 5X5 and 3 inches deep, sells for $30. 

Digital frame: Why not give him lots of photos of the kids instead of one for his office desk? There is an abundance of digital frame choices now and prices have come down. Pandigital's 8-inch frame ($150) is a nice choice. You can download photos directly from your PC, USB drive, or camera memory card, and create slideshows set to music you download.

Personalize kids' artwork: I know I said this was about making gifts out of great photos with dad and the kids, but you can veer from the conventional and make a gift out a unique piece of your children's art or photography. Web sites like Zazzle allow you to upload original art and images and create all kinds of gifts —T-shirts, aprons, mugs, etc.—from them.