*Disclosure: This is a sponsored post which contains affiliate links.
Mother’s Day is May 13th and I’ve been checking out some possible gift options for my mom. While photo books are always her top pick, there are several other photo gifts I think she might enjoy as well. Besides, don’t moms love everything their children make for them? This is a known fact right? This post features gift ideas from one of my favorite photo book companies – Mixbook. You may not know that they have lots of other nice photo gift options besides photo books.
PLUS! What better way to celebrate this coming Mother’s Day, but with a Mother’s Day Giveaway! You’ll have a chance to win one of THREE Prizes! Three winners will be drawn!
- First Place: $100 credit to Mixbook
- Second Place: $75 credit to Mixbook
- Third Place: $50 credit to Mixbook
More on the giveaway and my top Mother’s Day gift ideas below!
Canvas, Metal, Acrylic or Poster Prints
How about making something for mom to hang up on the wall? Mixbook has significantly expanded the types of media upon which you can print your favorite photos. Canvas prints are probably the most familiar to most, but Mixbook has added, metal, acrylic and poster prints as well. I love the option of turning a favorite family photo into piece of art you can hang on the wall. I recently made an acrylic print with Mixbook and reviewed it here. It’s the centerpiece of my kids’ art gallery wall.
In addition to enlarging a cherished family photo, here are some other possibilities:
• A memorable landscape from a family vacation;
• Favorite shot of your hometown or a local iconic landmark;
• Botanicals are always tops on my list – flowers are just a classic choice;
• A collage of old family photos (why let those past pre-digital favorites collect dust in a box?);
• Hire a professional photographer or enlist a friend to take a nice family photo (grandmas love photos of their grandkids);
• Kids’ or grandkids’ artwork;
• Picture of a place from mom’s past (her home growing up), some place significant to her.
These are just a few ideas to help get those wheels turning!
Stationery
Do you ever have an occasion pop up like a birthday or anniversary and you don’t have time to run out for a card (or you forgot until the last minute?) I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been saved by my stash of stationery. I’ve taken several of my favorite shots and made birthday cards or cards with blank insides so I can use them whenever I need them. Here are a few of the custom cards I’ve made in the past. Great way to personalize a greeting isn’t it? Plus, with everything being increasingly digital now, a handwritten card or note is always appreciated.
Well, I think Mom might appreciate a set of notecards with her initials on them, or a package of cards that she can use to send birthday greetings. Mixbook has excellent tools to customize any card with lots of premade layouts and customizable ones as well. I never feel locked into any design with Mixbook software – you can change a photo size, text box, anything which is the ultimate in flexibility.
Here’s some of Mixbook’s note card themes:
Photo Books for Mom
I did say that photo books are my mom’s personal favorite, so of course I have to do a survey of the possible photo book topics to choose from:
#1. Baby Book for New Moms
The newly minted mother’s first Mother’s Day is a particularly memorable one. How about a cute baby book or putting together some of those newborn photos of mama and baby? Or a book of pregnancy memories and all those cute belly shots? Dads you cannot go wrong with this one!
Chalkboard Baby Girl – Mixbook
#2. Family Cookbook
Here’s a project that my brother is working to get off the ground. Our mom is an amazing cook and my brother has already made a list of dishes he wants her to write down for us and for future generations. Get those cherished family recipes down on paper! Add some anecdotes and photos and you have the perfect family heirloom. After you gift mom her cookbook then just make additional copies for family for a jump start on holiday gifts! I love presents where you basically do the work once but maximize your time and effort in the end.
#3. Family History
Family history books can focus on mom’s story – her childhood, school days, marriage and children, or you can go higher up the tree and start with mom’s parents or grandparents. I’ve also been working on a family history section in my sons’ baby books right now so I like looking at these for inspiration. I enlisted all the grandparents to write a narrative about their lives so that I can include it in their books as well.
#4. Pick an Event or Single Topic
Don’t let your hesitation of going through a large mass of photos discourage you from making a book. Make it easier by focusing on a single event or subject and choose photos from that smaller subset. Anniversary, birthday, Easter, spring break, family reunion, family vacation or kids’ art are possible topics. Or perhaps your mom is a flower lover like mine – take some photos of her garden or of a local garden. These themes are more photo focused and let the pictures tell the story.
#5. Year in Review
Year in review books are very popular for a lot of our readers. It’s a great way to remember the past year. Pick some highlights from each month and put them in a book. These themes are really good at guiding you and giving you prompts for your layouts.
#6. It’s All About the Grandkids
If your mom is a grandmother, you know that nothing would make her happier than a photo book full of photos of the grandkids. It’s almost too easy! 🙂
Watercolor Grandparents Mixbook
#7. Mother’s Day Themes
Themes specific to Mother’s Day are also available. Many feature appropriate quotes about how great moms are and offer mom’s day – themed clip art.
Personalized Mother’s Day Book Mixbook
10 Things I Love About Mom theme – Mixbook
What You Can Win!
Now that you’ve seen some mother-approved gift ideas, let’s get to the GIVEAWAY! For our Mother’s Day Giveaway we’re fortunate to have Mixbook sponsoring some awesome prizes.
- First Place: $100 credit to Mixbook
- Second Place: $75 credit to Mixbook
- Third Place: $50 credit to Mixbook
Three lucky winners will be drawn!
What I love about Mixbook giveaways is the company generously allows winners to combine their credits with any ongoing promo that Mixbook is running. For example, Mixbook’s current featured PhotoBookGirl reader deal is 40% off photobooks (and 30% off everything else), so if you were to order your photo books now, it means you could stretch a $100.00 credit to a value of $166.00!
How you choose to spend your prize is up to you!
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ENTER HERE!
HOW TO ENTER THE PHOTO BOOK GIRL MOTHER’S DAY GIVEAWAY SPONSORED BY MIXBOOK!
You have 5 possible ways to enter, but you must do the REQUIRED ENTRY for the others to count. For EACH entry, you have to COMMENT ON THIS POST below with a separate comment for EACH entry, telling me what type of entry you did. (Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page to the “Post a Comment” box.)
REQUIRED ENTRY:
- IF YOU WON, HOW WOULD YOU SPEND YOUR PRIZE? (Would you make a photo book? Cards? Canvas? What would be the subject?)
OPTIONAL ENTRIES:
- Subscribe to my newsletter (look for light blue box at top right) AND tell me in the comment below that you subscribed and the name you subscribed under (first name is fine). If you already subscribe to my newsletter, tell me in your comment and give me your name. (Please remember for it to count, you must confirm the subscription. Sorry RSS reader subscriptions don’t count);
- “Like” me on Facebook (if you are already a fan, or become a new fan, tell me your Facebook name in the comment form);
- “Like” Mixbook on Facebook (if you are already a fan, or become a fan, tell me your Facebook name in the comment form);
- Give your review of any photo book/canvas company you’ve tried on the company’s main reviews page. (Click here to give a canvas print review). Click on the “Read Review” button. You’ll see a place to add your review at the bottom of each company’s page. Let me know which company you commented on by telling me in a comment in this post below. (Limit to two (2) entries using this method. Reviews given prior to the start of this Giveaway don’t count – they must be new ones please!)
Make sure to do the REQUIRED ENTRY or the optional entries won’t count!
This giveaway is open to anyone 18 or older. No country restrictions (so it’s international but please check if Mixbook ships to your country if you have any doubts). Void where prohibited. Void in Quebec. Entries must be received by Monday, April 23, 2018, at 11:59pm CT and any entries not in accordance with the rules will be disqualified at our sole discretion and at the discretion of the sponsor. Winning entries will be chosen using Random.org. After compiling the results, I will announce the winners thereafter and will email the winners and post the names on my site. The winners will have 24 hours to respond or I will redraw another entry. Canadian winners may be asked to answer a skill question to be eligible, to comply with Canadian laws. Winners will be issued a credit on their Mixbook account. Credit does not expire. Shipping costs varies by location – see Mixbook’s site for details. Winners may apply value towards a higher priced item, and pay for any additional charges. You may even apply any applicable promo for extra savings. Winner will be solely responsible for any taxes due on the product or prize including but not limited to sales tax, tariffs, duties and fees as well as any income tax obligations if any. Disclosure: I am an affiliate of the company. The links on these pages go to the company’s site. If you click on a link to Mixbook’s site and make a purchase, I may receive a referral fee from the company. This giveaway and post is sponsored by Mixbook. Regardless of affiliation my opinions are always my own and I always give my honest opinion.
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Best of luck to everyone! Can’t wait for your entries to come in!
By the way, just in time for Mother’s Day, there are a lot of new deals on the site including awesome deals from Mixbook! Be sure to check them out before they’re gone!
My daughter graduates high school this year .. I’ve been wanting to make her a photo book of her senior year – this would be great!!!!
I like both on Facebook already .. Janet Stricklin Gist
you’ve given such great ideas here! We’ve got a big trip coming up, so in an effort to save money, I’d ask my husband to use this to cover mother’s day!
2. Already subscribed
3. Already liked Jill C
Liked Mixbook! Jill C
Required entry: I’d create a canvas with a photo of the entire family. We do a family photo every October which is a bif birthday month for us!
I “liked” on Facebook, and my face book name is Cynthia Armentrout
I “liked” Mixbook on Facebook! Cynthia Armentrout
If I won I would make another travel book. Or maybe I would splurge and get a nice canvas print!
My son took a school trip to Spain and Italy. So far the pictures remain on the computer and phone, but before graduation I want to put them in a book and make three copies – one for him, one for a close friend whose parents are moving after graduation, and one for his awesome teacher who bravely took 25 teenagers to Europe and brought them all back with great stories and memories!
I already subscribe to your newsletter and really enjoy it. My name is Karen Helberg.
My husband and I are expecting our first grandchild in August! We’re so excited!!! I’d use the prize to make a photobook for the proud parents and one for us.
I’ve liked your Facebook page as Karen Helberg.
I’ve also liked Mixbook’s Facebook page as Karen Helberg.
I would love to make something fun like a metallic print.
I already subscribe to your newsletter. My name is Leigh.
I already “like” you on Facebook. My name is Leigh Everson.
I already “like” Mixbook on Facebook. My name is Leigh Everson.
I would make a Mommy-Son photo book and try out Mixbook! (Required entry)
I liked Mixbook on FB.
Wendi Weaver likes you on FB
If I won I would most likely get a photo book or two for my mom and mother in law. My moms I would make with pictures of her growing up since it’s only been a year since my grandfather died and it would mean a lot to her to have one. My motherinlaw would love an updated one with pics of her grandkids.
I like photo book girl on Facebook, Jennifer Cervantes
I like mixbook on Facebook, Jennifer Cervantes
Subscribed to newsletter, Jennifer
I’d do a vacation book from our last trip.
I subscribe to your newsletter – Jill M
I like you on FB – Jill K-M
I like Mixbook on FB Jill K-M
If I won, I would make a photobok of my son!!!
I already subscribe to you newsletter under Karla Fedorak
I already liked you on Facebook under Karla Vitovitch Fedorak
I already liked Mixbook on Facebook under Karla Vitovitch Fedorak
If I won I’d make a photo book for my son. He is turning 21. I’d do a book of his life so far.
I follow you on Facebook!
I am subscribed to your newsletter and love it!
I like Mixbook on Facebook
I would make a photobook.
I’d make a photo book.
I like you on Facebook as Eugenie Wu.
I like Mixbook on Facebook as Eugenie Wu.
Like you on Facebook.
Gina Hull
If I won I would make a photo book of my family.
I already like your Facebook page as Darlene Willner
Photo book #2 from 2015 to finish that year. ?
And then my son graduates high school this year, too.
I follow you on Facebook group.
And I get your newsletter!
Love what you do.
I would make a metal or acrylic print since I haven’t ordered either yet.
Thanks for the giveaway!
I already subscribe to your newsletter under Josiane.
Thank you for another generous giveaway so soon after the last one!
I still need to make my wedding album, so I would use it for that!
I subscribe to your newsletter
Photo book for upcoming vacation
I subscribe to newsletter (Brian)
like you on FB (Brian J.)
like MIXBOOK on FB (Brian J)
I would make a photo book for my mom!
I like photo book girl on FB.
I like Mixbook on FB.
I subscribe to your newsletter
I made my first Mixbook Photo book in December and have completed several large books since. I have a grandson’s graduation coming up and would use the prize toward that book!
I have already liked Photogirl on facebook.
I previously liked Mixbook on facebook.
I am already on your mailing list.
If I won, I would use to prize to create some simple books for my granddaughter.
I posted a review on the Mixbook review page.
If I win, I would make a photobook of my daughter 🙂
I subscribed to your newsletter: hope wang.
I ‘liked’ you on Facebook
I ‘liked’ Mixbook on Facebook
I am your newsletter subscriber (Rivka Deutsch). I love making photobooks of each holiday spent with my family, or a trip we took.
I have “liked” Mixbook. Never tried using them yet. If I win it will probably be a photobook of whichever holiday just past.
I liked you on facebook. I will probably make a photobook of my family over a holiday or a trip.
Already subscribed.
I’d like to make a family yearbook.
Already susbscribe to your newsletter (forgot to add that with my posts April 16). My name is Ccynthia Armentrout.
I am over due in making a a book for my mom with her great-grand daughters. Her health makes it difficult for her to come and visit and so I try to keep her up to date with photo books. My oldest grand daughter (5 yrs) also enjoys photobooks with family pictures especially her baby pictures.
I already liked Photobook Girl on Facebook.
I already liked Mixbook on Facebook also.
I am already subscribed to your newsletter (that’s how I learned about this give away!). Thanks.
I would make an album for my MIL. She LOVES photos of the grand kids and would just adore a photo book.
I have already liked you on Facebook. My name is Nancy Pierce
If I win I will make an album for my grandson who will be 1 in May.
Thank you.
I would love to make family yearbook
Subscriber
I would make a photo book
I would like to make greeting cards for Christmas.
I am subscribed to the newsletter under Linda.
Required entry: Our family is going on our first Disney cruise today which we have been waiting for for more than a year!! I would love to make a photo book out of our journey this week!
#2 already subscribed (Sylvia Kwan)
#3 already liked photobook girl on Facebook (Sylvia Kwan)
#4 already liked Mixbook on Facebook (Sylvia Kwan)
I would love to make a photo book of my rainbow boy’s first year (he’s just over 16 months now!).
Subscribed under Claira
Already liked on Facebook (Claira Pam Vo)
Liked Mixbook on Facebook (Claira Pam Vo)
If I won, I would probably biysome of those gorgeous prints on metal. I especially love the curved ones Mixbook offers.
If I won I would make a summer family photo book including our youngest baby’s first beach trip.
I’m already an email subscriber (Laura H.)
I haven’t used mixbooks yet, but I’ve been doing photobooks a long time. Trying to find one I like since MyPublisher folded. Thanks for all the research. I’ve already ‘liked’ your facebook and mixbook.
Required Entry: if I won, I would make a photo book of my mother-in-laws recipes and give it to her for Mother’s Day!
If I were to win, I’d make a photobook of our going boating out on the water. Underwater shots and tons of others too!
I’d like to review Photobook America. The site leaves a lot to be desired for creativity, but for simplicity, they are a good one to use. I like to make family photo albums, not of an event, but just great shots of the family and the like. With Photobook America I can pick a color and start putting all the pictures one after another quickly and without a lot of extras. For special events or books made for an individual, I definitely use Shutterfly or Picaboo. But for down and dirty ‘traditional’ family photo books with not a lot of fluff, Photobook America is it. You can find a Groupon for an 8×11 book with 40 pages for $10! That’s great! Shipping is another $10, but still a great price! It does have what the other sites offer, color, layout, text, stickers, just not as many as the other sites. If you’re looking for quick and easy, give them a try!
I already liked Mixbook on Facebook.
I already liked PBG on Facebook.
I am subscribed on your newsletter.
If I win I would make photo book out of my Thai/Cambodia journey photos.
I would either make a canvas or a photo book. The subjects would be my two kids.
I liked mix book on Facebook
Anna McGilberry
I liked you on Facebook
Anna McGilberry
I would get a canvas picture of my three girls!
I would spend the prize on photobooks I have yet to make and some vacation pictures I would like to have printed (canvas maybe). Thanks!!
I like you on FB under Simone Traverse. Thanks!!
I like you Mixbook on FB under Simone Traverse. Thanks!!