‘Tis the Season for Portraits

Thanks to digital photography, it's easier than ever to give photo potrait gifts. These make perfect holiday keepsakes for grandparents, godparents and far-flung relatives and friends.

Simply pose the family for a digital portrait, then use the digital file to create an astounding array of gifts. Of course, there are always traditional framed photos. You can have them printed at a traditional photo lab or an online service - or even print them yourself. But the list is much longer.

Mugs, t-shirts, holiday ornaments, mouse pads, calendars, mock magazine covers, baseballs... the list is nearly endless. You can also have hard-or soft-cover books printed. And "photo clings" stick to almost any surface, but can be removed and restuck to nearly anything innumerable times.

Or take a series of portraits - group and individual shots - load them on a digital picture frame and present that to grandma and grandpa as a holiday gift.

You can even send your family portrait to everyone on your list - and still have it appreciated. Just take your favorite digital shot and print it on your holiday cards.