After last Christmas I picked up a set of ten silver, circular frame ornaments at a deep discount from Red Envelope — something like $15 for the set. I imagined framing black-and-white photos in them, but the frames sat in a box for most of the year. A month ago, I finally set out to create a small, meaningful tradition. I decided to choose a standout photo from each year my husband and I have been together. With time short, I printed four black-and-white pictures: our wedding in 2005, a home improvement moment from 2006, our new puppy in 2007, and me crossing the finish line in my first 5K in 2008. The retroactive tradition was instant — and we love it. Maybe someday we’ll have an entire tree dedicated to framed-photo ornaments to commemorate every year of our lives together. — RA

This idea checks a lot of boxes: it’s affordable, sentimental, and easy to put together even at the last minute. Buying discounted frames after the holidays is a smart way to prepare for the next season without breaking the bank. Simple circular frames give the display a cohesive look, and printing photos in black and white adds an elegant, timeless quality that works with any tree décor.

How to start your own framed-photo ornament tradition:

• Collect inexpensive frame ornaments during post-holiday sales. Buying a set of frames on clearance gives you enough pieces to begin a new tradition without a big expense.
• Choose meaningful photos. Select one image per year that highlights something memorable: a wedding, a new pet, a milestone event, a renovation, or a memorable trip. If you want a consistent look, convert the images to black and white before printing.
• Print and trim carefully. Crop each photo so it fits the circular opening and centers on the most important element — faces, a meaningful detail, or a setting that tells the story.
• Label or date the back. For families who want to look back year by year, write the year or a brief note on the back of each frame. Over time, you’ll build a visual timeline of your family’s life.
• Display thoughtfully. Hang these ornaments on your main tree, on a smaller dedicated tree, or in a special vignette. Consider grouping them together to create an eye-catching focal point.

Beyond the practical steps, the real value is the ritual. Each year you add a new framed photo, you preserve a slice of family history and create a moment to pause and remember. These ornaments become keepsakes that tell your story and invite conversation with visitors who notice them.

Whether you have a cluttered schedule or plenty of time to craft holiday decorations, framing a single photo for an ornament is a manageable, meaningful project. It’s a low-cost tradition that grows richer each year, turning ordinary holiday decor into an ongoing family archive. Start with one or two frames if you prefer, and let the collection expand naturally as the years go by.

We love the idea of a tree dedicated to framed photographs — a yearly record of joy, milestones, and everyday moments turned memorable. If you’re looking for a heartfelt, affordable, and visually cohesive holiday tradition, framing photos in circular ornament frames is a simple and beautiful way to begin. Happy memory-making!