Personalized Christmas Gifts for Dad: Ideas Made from a Photo

Quick answer: The most personal Christmas gifts for Dad are made from a photo. A handmade bobblehead of him in his hunting gear, team jersey or work uniform starts at $67.90, photo engraved champagne flutes or wine glasses cost $46.60 for one or $78.20 for a pair, and a photo lamp of the kids costs $33.90–$74.70. For a smaller gift, the hand-painted initial glass mug is $29.99. Order a bobblehead by November 16, engraved glasses and the wood portrait frame by November 27, and everything else by December 1 for standard US delivery before Christmas.

Personalized Christmas gift ideas for Dad

Every gift below is made to order from your photo, his name or his initial, and each price is for the option described. You can browse more ideas in our personalized gifts for him collection.

A handmade bobblehead of Dad

The custom bobblehead for him is sculpted by hand in polymer clay from his photos and dressed in the outfit you describe. One person costs $67.90–$90.00, depending on the height (6, 7 or 8 inches) and whether the head is fixed or bobbles. Add his dog or cat with the 1 person + 1 pet style ($101.90–$121.50), or a separate prop such as a golf bag or motorbike with the 1 person + 1 object style ($115.50–$144.40).

If his hobby or job is a big part of who he is, start from a themed design at the same prices:

• Hunting bobblehead: camo or blaze orange, with a rifle, bow or fishing rod.
• Sports bobblehead: his team jersey, with a ball, bat, racket or golf club.
• Uniform bobblehead: his military, police, firefighter or pilot uniform, with badges and patches.
• Work bobblehead: his work clothes, at his desk or with the tools of his trade.
• Doctor bobblehead: scrubs or a white coat with a stethoscope.
• Musician bobblehead: on stage with a guitar, drum kit or microphone.
• Superhero bobblehead: Dad as the family hero, in the costume and cape you describe.

Not sure whether a prop needs the + 1 object style? Email support@giftsjourneyshop.com before you order. Every bobblehead takes 10–15 business days to make after you approve the preview, and our Christmas bobblehead guide walks through the photo and preview steps.

Photo engraved glasses for a Christmas toast

The photo engraved champagne flutes and wine glasses carry your photo, names or a date. Choose a champagne flute (8.8 oz) or a red wine glass (11.8 oz), as a single glass for $46.60 or a couple set of two for $78.20, which works well as a gift for Mom and Dad together. They take 5–7 business days to make.

A photo of the family that lights up

• Custom photo 3D night lamp ($48.40–$74.70): your photo as a lamp about 9.8 inches tall, with a short message such as "Best Dad Ever" on the wooden base. The elliptical base plugs in by USB and switches between three light colors ($48.40–$63.70). The round base adds a Bluetooth speaker and a rechargeable battery ($59.40–$74.70). The price depends on the number of people in the photo, from 1 up to 8–10.
• Custom photo 3D moon lamp ($33.90–$50.90): printed with your photo, with an optional name, date or short message, in 4.0, 4.7 or 5.9 inch sizes.
• Wood engraved portrait frame ($49.00–$79.90): a portrait carved in wood from your photo, in 6 to 12 inch sizes, for his desk or a workshop shelf.

For the dad who loves his dog

The pet portrait baseball cap ($59.99) has his dog's or cat's face embroidered from your photo, with the pet's name or a short text underneath, on an adjustable cap. If he would rather have something warm, the pet portrait embroidered scarf ($59.90) comes in 11 colors. Both take 2–4 business days to make after you approve the preview. Our Christmas gifts for dog and cat lovers has more pet ideas.

A smaller gift or stocking stuffer

The initial glass mug ($29.99) has his initial hand-painted on a 17 oz borosilicate glass mug, with an optional name or date. It handles hot coffee and iced drinks and is dishwasher and microwave safe. The 4-inch photo moon lamp ($33.90) is the other gift here under $35.

Christmas gifts for Dad compared

Combine gifts and save

Code 20OFFBUY2 takes 20% off 2 or more items, and 30OFFBUY3 takes 30% off 3 or more, on any mix of the gifts in this guide (gift cards excluded). For example, a 6-inch bobblehead of Dad ($67.90) and an initial glass mug ($29.99) come to $97.89, or $78.31 with 20OFFBUY2 before tax, and standard shipping is free because the order is still over $70.

How to order and which photo to send

• Bobbleheads: use the Upload your photo button to add one clear, front-facing photo of his face in good light, without sunglasses. Add a full-body photo if you want an outfit copied, and describe the outfit, pose, props and any name on his shirt in Special instructions.
• Lamps, glasses and wood portrait: choose a sharp photo where the faces are large and in focus. For the 3D night lamp, select the number of people in the photo.
• Pet cap and scarf: send a sharp, front-facing close-up of the pet's face.
• Name and initial items: they are made exactly as typed, so check the spelling and capital letters.
• Keeping it a surprise: recent phone photos usually work. You can reply to your order confirmation email with more photos.

Items made from a photo come with a digital preview to approve before production starts, and bobbleheads get previews as the figure takes shape. Reply quickly, because production begins only after you approve.

When to order for Christmas

• By Monday, November 16: bobbleheads, made in 10–15 business days after you approve the preview.
• By Friday, November 27: engraved champagne flutes and wine glasses and the wood portrait frame, made in 5–7 business days.
• By Tuesday, December 1: photo lamps (3–5 business days), and the pet cap, scarf and glass mug (2–4 business days).

Standard tracked US delivery usually takes 6–9 business days after dispatch. Standard shipping is free on orders of $70 or more and $7.99 under $70, and express shipping is $15. Ordering after December 1? Email support@giftsjourneyshop.com before you order and we will tell you honestly whether it can arrive in time, or send a Gifts Journey gift card by email ($35, $70, $130 or $220) so he can choose his gift and upload his own photo later. Every shipping option is on our delivery information page, and our last-minute personalized Christmas gifts guide lists every order-by date.

Shopping for more people? See our ideas for your husband or boyfriend, for Mom, for grandparents and for Secret Santa under $35.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good personalized Christmas gift for Dad?

Something made from a photo that fits what he loves: a handmade bobblehead of him hunting, golfing or in his work uniform, photo engraved glasses, a photo lamp of the family, or a pet portrait cap if he is a dog or cat person.

Can I make a custom gift for Dad from a photo?

Yes. The bobbleheads, photo lamps, engraved glasses, wood portrait frame and pet cap and scarf are all made from your photo, and you approve a digital preview before production starts.

What is a personalized gift for Dad under $35?

The hand-painted initial glass mug ($29.99) or the 4-inch custom photo moon lamp ($33.90).

What is the last day to order for Christmas?

November 16 for a bobblehead, November 27 for engraved glasses and the wood portrait frame, and December 1 for everything else, with standard US shipping.

Is shipping free?

Standard US shipping is free on orders of $70 or more and $7.99 under $70. Express shipping is $15.