Today’s Hint: Order Photo Gifts Now for Father’s Day

What to get your partner or your own dad for Father’s Day? I always felt like it must be super easy if your dad’s an avid golfer or fisherman. Neither my dad nor my husband fits that bill, so I’ve always struggled to come up with something on their special day.

I think it’s hard to go wrong with a cute photo of the kids nicely framed or on a mug, iPhone case or other gift item. This is also the kind of gift that means more coming from someone you love vs. ordering it yourself. (Plus, I don’t know about you, but I’m the designated photo-taker and manager in my house.)

I upload photos to Snapfish, and I’ve been doing it for years. My parents know how to view and order photos through the service, and I’ve found it’s a great way to share with them since they live across the country. There are many similar photo services, like Shutterfly, and they all offer many gift options. The trick for special days and holidays is to order early. This is why today’s hint is to order photo gifts now for Father’s Day.

For example, Shutterfly is currently offering a host of photo gift promotions, and Snapfish has similar deals too. In the past, I’ve ordered early to get such discounts and free or expedited shipping. If you give the recipient a heads-up that a gift is coming, even if it arrives early, they can hold off on opening it until the actual day arrives. (Or obviously if you’ll see them in person on Father’s Day, just ship the photo gift to yourself.)

I ordered my parents a custom photo calendar for Christmas, and I bought my mom a customized Mother’s Day card along with prints of some of my family’s best photos. Of course, I’m in the midst of pondering my own Father’s Day gifts, so I can’t tell you just yet what I’ll settle on. Atravel mug? A magnet? There are so many ways to share the love, and get great discounts, with a little advance planning.

Don’t think Dad will want a photo gift? Last year, Hint Mama shared some fun and affordable gift ideas for gadget lovers, and don’t forget to ask Dad what he wants. In addition, it’s not just the photo sites offering deals for early birds: Other retailers, like Amazon.com, are too.

What are you giving the dads in your life this Father’s Day?

Karen Witham is a mother of two children who she can’t believe are already ages six and seven. She spends her time on both sides of the Bay, working full-time as an editor and writer in San Francisco and living in Oakland. A transplant from the East Coast, she spent ten years living in Boston and also loves New York and most of all, Paris. Karen has a B.A. from Brown University and an M.A. from Emerson College. She blogs at Thoughtstream. Connect with her on Twitter at @kewitham or LinkedIn.

Follow Hint Mama on Facebook and Twitter, and read more about her and her disclosures.