Home & Comfort

Picture frames

8 kinds worth knowing, 11 picks, and what to check before you buy.

Representative photo-style image of picture frames — generated, not a specific product
Representative image, generated

Picture frames are an easy gift for someone who has lots of family photos but never gets them off their phone. Parents and grandparents are the usual people you're buying for, especially when kids and grandkids live far away. A digital picture frame gets the most use when the family keeps sending new photos to it. A plain frame gets used when it comes with a photo already inside, or when it clearly suits a spot in their home. Before you choose, think about how comfortable the person is with tech and where the frame will go. Also think about whether you'll be the one keeping it filled with photos.

Kind 1 of 8

The Aura Carver Frame for a shared family feed

The Aura Carver Frame is a Wi-Fi photo frame. Family members can send photos to it from their phones, and they show up on its screen at home. It suits parents and grandparents who want new pictures without having to do anything themselves. The best time to set it up is before you wrap it: connect it, invite siblings to add photos, and load a first batch. Before buying, find out if the person has reliable Wi-Fi and a good spot near an outlet. Also think about whether the family will really keep adding photos after the holidays.

  • Representative Wi-Fi photo frame showing a winter family picture while another photo is sent from a phone

    Curated pickOver $100

    Aura Carver Frame

    The family sends photos from their phones; new pictures just appear on the shelf.

Kind 2 of 8

Digital picture frames that keep photos rotating

A digital picture frame is a screen that cycles through a collection of photos, so one frame can hold hundreds of moments. It works well for someone with a full camera roll and little patience for printing. Some load photos from a memory card or USB stick, and others receive them over Wi-Fi from family phones. Check which method fits the person. Wi-Fi frames suit families who share often, while offline frames suit people who dislike apps and accounts. Also look at screen size, portrait versus landscape display, and whether it can dim or switch off at night.

  • Representative photo-style image of digital photo display frame — generated, not a specific product

    Gift ideaUsually $50–$100

    Digital photo display frame

    This modern frame is perfect for tech-savvy individuals who want to easily showcase a rotating collection of cherished memories.

Kind 3 of 8

Choosing a digital photo frame they'll keep on

Whether you call it a digital photo frame or a digital picture frame, what matters is whether it stays plugged in and in use a year later. Frames that are simple to update last. Frames that need the person to manage storage or menus tend to go dark. Think about who will add the photos. If that's you, choose a frame you can send photos to from your own phone. Check how well the screen shows up in a bright room, how it handles phone photos taken upright, and whether the cord will look tidy on a side table or shelf.

Kind 4 of 8

The Skylight Frame and Skylight Calendar 2

The Skylight Frame is a touchscreen photo frame, and family can send pictures to it by email or through its app. It's a good fit for a grandparent who wants photos to simply arrive. The Skylight Calendar 2 is a larger screen for a busy household. It works more as a shared family calendar and planner, with photos as a bonus. Decide which job matters more: showing photos or organizing a family schedule. For either one, check where it will sit, whether it needs Wi-Fi, and whether anyone will set it up and keep it updated.

  • Representative digital photo frame being enjoyed by an older family member while photos are shared from a phone

    Curated pickOver $100

    Skylight Frame

    Family photos land on their frame the moment you hit send.

  • Representative family schedule display mounted in a bright household entryway

    Curated pickOver $100

    Skylight Calendar 2

    One wall screen that syncs every family calendar into a single view.

Kind 5 of 8

Shadow box frames for keepsakes and memorabilia

A shadow box frame is a deep frame that holds objects as well as photos. People use them for baby shoes, medals, jerseys, wedding invitations, concert tickets or a child's first drawing. It makes a thoughtful gift for a milestone like a retirement, a new baby or a wedding anniversary, especially if you fill it yourself. Before buying, measure the thickest item you plan to display and check the inside depth. Also check whether the back is fabric or corkboard for pinning, and whether it opens from the front or the back.

  • Representative photo-style image of shadow box memory display frame — generated, not a specific product

    Gift ideaUsually $25–$50

    Shadow box memory display frame

    Perfect for crafters, collectors, or anyone wishing to preserve and showcase three-dimensional mementos alongside photographs.

Kind 6 of 8

Wood picture frames that suit most homes

Wood picture frames are the safe, lasting choice. A plain oak, walnut or painted wood frame fits into most rooms and doesn't date quickly. A single frame on a desk or tabletop is a simple gift that feels personal once you add a favourite photo. Match the wood tone to the person's furniture if you know it. Check the photo size it takes, whether it stands, hangs or does both, and whether a mat comes with it. A mat makes a small print look more finished.

  • Representative photo-style image of classic single picture frame — generated, not a specific product

    Gift ideaUsually $15–$25

    Classic single picture frame

    A timeless choice for anyone wanting to highlight a single special moment or portrait, suitable for desks, shelves, or walls.

  • Representative photo-style image of desk or tabletop photo frame — generated, not a specific product

    Gift ideaUsually $15–$25

    Desk or tabletop photo frame

    An excellent gift for office workers, students, or anyone who enjoys personalizing their workspace or living area with cherished photos.

Kind 7 of 8

Large frames and gallery wall sets

Large picture frames suit a family portrait, a wedding photo or a set of pictures meant to fill a wall. Gallery wall sets and multi-opening collage frames let you tell a story across several photos, like a year of the grandkids or a family trip. These work best for someone who has an empty wall and wants to decorate it. Before buying, check the opening sizes against the prints you have or can order. Also check the hanging hardware and how much wall space the whole layout needs. Printing photos to fit takes time, so plan ahead.

  • Representative photo-style image of gallery wall picture frame set — generated, not a specific product

    Gift ideaUsually $50–$100

    Gallery wall picture frame set

    This curated collection of frames is perfect for individuals looking to create a cohesive and stylish photo display on a large wall.

  • Representative photo-style image of multi-opening photo collage frame — generated, not a specific product

    Gift ideaUsually $25–$50

    Multi-opening photo collage frame

    Ideal for families or those with many memories to share, this frame allows for a curated display of multiple photos in one cohesive piece.

Kind 8 of 8

Floating frames and clear acrylic displays

Floating frames hold a photo or pressed item between two panes of glass, so the wall or room shows around the edges. Acrylic blocks give a similar clean look on a desk or shelf. They suit modern or minimal decor and work nicely for pressed flowers, postcards, tickets or small prints. Check that your photo or item is smaller than the glass, since the border around it is part of the look. Also look at how the panes clamp together and whether the frame hangs, stands, or both.

  • Representative photo-style image of floating glass picture frame — generated, not a specific product

    Gift ideaUsually $15–$25

    Floating glass picture frame

    This elegant frame style creates a modern, minimalist look by suspending a photo between two panes of glass, ideal for contemporary decor.

  • Representative photo-style image of acrylic block photo display — generated, not a specific product

    Gift ideaUsually $15–$25

    Acrylic block photo display

    A contemporary and sturdy option for showcasing a single photo with a sleek, self-standing design that adds depth to any surface.

How to choose picture frames as a gift

  • Put a printed photo in a regular frame before you wrap it, because an empty frame often sits in a drawer.
  • For a digital frame, set it up and add photos before giving it, so it works as soon as it's plugged in.
  • Match the frame's colour and style to their home, not your own taste, if you've seen the room it's going in.
  • Check the photo sizes a frame takes against prints you actually have or can order in time.
  • Think about who will keep a digital frame updated, and invite siblings or cousins to add photos too.

Usually safe to skip

  • Empty generic frames with no photo or personal meaning tend to get regifted or stored away unopened.
  • Wi-Fi photo frames for someone without reliable internet at home usually end up unplugged and forgotten.
  • Heavily themed or novelty frames date quickly and rarely match the rest of someone's decor.

Questions people ask about picture frames

What is the difference between a digital picture frame and a digital photo frame?
Nothing meaningful. Both names describe a screen that shows a rotating set of photos. What matters is how photos get onto it: a memory card or USB stick, or Wi-Fi from family phones.
Is a digital frame a good gift for grandparents who aren't good with technology?
It can be, if someone else handles the photos. Choose a frame that family can send photos to from their own phones, set it up before you give it, and add plenty of photos so it's ready as soon as it's plugged in.
What can I put in a shadow box frame as a gift?
Try keepsakes tied to a memory: baby clothes, sports medals, wedding invitations, ticket stubs, pressed flowers, a child's artwork or travel mementos. Measure your thickest item first so it fits the frame's depth.

Looking for one person in particular? Shop by person.

Everything else

All picture frames picks

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