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5 Heartfelt Year-End & Christmas Gift Ideas

Okay everyone, let’s be honest: every December, we tell ourselves, “This year I’m going to buy meaningful gifts. No more last-minute, random stuff.” And then suddenly it’s the 24th, online shopping carts are panic-filled, and we’re quietly hoping no one notices we reused a gift bag or even a gift from 2 years ago.

So this year, let me help you out and share a few gift ideas that are personal, fun and honestly, something even you would like to receive. These are the kinds of gifts people actually remember and go “Aww, you are so thoughtful!”

1. A Family, Couple, or Bestie Photoshoot Package (from RM680 & up)

You know how we always say, “We should take proper photos together one day!”? Well, this is that one day gift. A photoshoot package is like bottling up time and it’s something you can use any time, for anyone. Whether it’s for your parents, your siblings, your partner, or a friend who just had a baby or just got engaged. Imagine gifting them an experience where they get to laugh, dress up, feel special, and then receive photos they will keep for life. And the best part? You’re not just giving them images. You’re giving them a memory they will hold dear to and look back on for years. (Psst… our photoshoot package starts from RM680, just in case you want to be the hero of the season.)

2. A Personalized “Memory Box” Filled With Small Treasures

This is my favourite for the sentimental souls. Grab a pretty box, whether it’s wooden, metal, fabric, anything that sparks joy and fill it with tiny reminders of your year together:

  • Movie stubs
  • A tiny jar of their favourite snacks
  • A handwritten letter
  • A printed photo from your last trip (very important!)

A little keepsake that only the two of you understand
It’s simple, inexpensive, and ridiculously meaningful. Receiving gifts is not my top 2 love languages but I love it when people put thought into the gifts and they make me go: “You actually remember what I told you?!”

 

If this idea is a tad bit too much due to your busy schedule, check out the next one. 

3. Christmas Candle Sets (Preferably Something That Smells Like Cookies!)

For the friend who says “I’m not celebrating Christmas” but secretly loves all the vibes — candles are a dream. Warm vanilla, cinnamon spice, pine forests, gingerbread… basically anything that makes your home feel like a Christmas movie. If you prefer a safer choice, you can opt for vanilla or something light like ocean breeze. Bonus points if you pair it with:

  • A mug
  • Hot cocoa mix
  • A handwritten “slow down and rest” note
    It’s the perfect self-care bundle for anyone ending the year tired (which… is everyone, let’s be real).

Christmas Candle Gift Set

Christmas Discovery Candle Set

4. Personalized Gifts 

This one’s for families with little ones (aged ~3–8), but I promise! The excitement spills over to everyone. The Flight of Imagination is a personalised storybook where the child becomes the main character! You can include their name, choose skin-tone options, and even slip in two of their family photos so the story feels like “their story”. It’s a whimsical, heart-warming book they read tonight, treasure forever, and maybe show off to their own child someday. Whether you go for the “name only” version, or the full “photo plus story” book with a photoshoot session, this gift becomes a memory beautifully preserved. 

5. The Gifts of Experience

Honestly, people don’t need more stuff. They need more moments. Fun experiences that bring out so much joy and laughter, and to discover more about themselves. So whether it’s a pottery class, a Christmas market date, a baking workshop or a massage or spa voucher, experience gifts are the kind people talk about months later. It’s something they enjoy, learn from, and remember even long after most physical gifts are forgotten at the bottom of the drawer. If you’re thinking what to get for me, I would totally love a spa voucher please 😛

A Little Reminder From Me to You

Gifts don’t have to be expensive or elaborate. They just need to say: “I thought of you. You matter to me.” Even if you have not met or spoken to them since last Christmas. And if you ever need help turning memories into beautiful photographs, you know where to find us. 

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a greater new year ahead! 

Love from, 

The Stories Team

A Christmas Gift Guide

In recent years, Christmas has become a festivity celebrated by many (doesn’t matter what race or religion you are). I mean, who doesn’t love gifts? It’s the season of gifting! But gift shopping can be stressful (we know), and most of us don’t have the luxury of time to go out and shop for them. Fret not, we live in a digital world where everything, including gift shopping, can be at your fingertips. So here’s a list of Christmas gift ideas for young families that we’ve compiled for you busy bees, which you can get by heading to their website or dropping them a quick message. These are all Malaysian-owned brands, so you’ll be supporting another family or small business by buying from them!

The Kraft Store

The Kraft Store offers beautiful and essential handpicked goods such as bath towels, toys, feeding accessories, and books for your little ones. They have a good selection to choose from, so go check out their website to place your order.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekraftstoremy/

Link to purchase: https://thekraftstoremy.cococart.co/

The Flight of Imagination

Together with makchic, we have created an endearing photo storybook experience that combines professional photos of your family taken by Stories, whimsical illustrations by Munsya Rahman, and a heartwarming story by makchic’s Kimberly Lee about the power of creativity and the joy of creating moments and memories. Created for children between the ages 3-8, this book will become a family heirloom worth treasuring. Don’t miss out on our current promotion we’re running for this (ends 31st December 2023).

Link to find out more: https://stories.my/flight-of-imagination/

Dough Little

Dough Little playdough kits are safe to play by children starting the age of 1. Their playdough boxes and kits are based on open-ended play concepts, whereby there aren’t definitive instructions and expectations while the child is at play. Children are encouraged to explore each box and create something amazing within the given theme (examples: create habitats, food, characters, vehicles etc).


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dough.little.playdough/

Website: https://www.doughlittle.com/

Mils and Key x Stories Newborn Gift Pack

Malaysian owned, Mils & Key’s mission is to curate and create safe, functional, sustainable, and stylish modern baby products. Coupled with a photoshoot that can be used for a maternity, newborn or family session, these gift packs that include Mils & Keys aesthetic looking yet functional products are a great gift for the expecting mom. ⁠

Link to find out more: https://stories.my/product/mils-key-gift-pack/

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A Christmas Family Portrait

Christmas isn’t just a date on the calendar; it’s a feeling—a feeling of warmth, love, and togetherness. But beyond the aesthetics, Christmas is about fostering connections. It’s a time when families come together, sharing stories and laughter. It’s about creating memories—whether it’s baking cookies with loved ones, singing carols together, or simply enjoying each other’s company. It’s a great time to gather for family portraits, as almost everyone is in holiday mode (whether or not you actually celebrate Christmas!). If you haven’t scheduled your year-end family photo session, remember to contact us quickly, as peak holiday dates are filling up fast.

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A Christmas Family Portrait: The Lovatts

Christmas has arrived at the Stories studio! Debra Lovatt booked an early Christmas-themed family photo session and we had the best time with them. Christmas really brings family together and there’s nothing better than being able to witness and capture all these warm moments for people. It’s not been an easy year, but when you’re surrounded with love like this, that’s all you really need.

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Christmas 2015 Lifestyle Portrait Promo

Christmas is just around the corner, and we can’t wait to blast Christmas music in the studio, and wear reindeer ears! For my daughter who is turning 3, it’s also a reminder that her birthday is coming up (2 weeks short of Christmas!). We’re bringing back last year’s Christmas promotion for all our lifestyle portrait shoots.

Book any one hour family portrait session, photograph it this November, and get a set of customised Christmas postcards for free! (But hurry, because there are limited weekend slots!)

OR… if you are looking for an early Christmas gift for a friend, how about purchasing a half hour studio session for him/her? Usual rate is RM400 but it is now at a discounted rate of RM300. GST charges apply. Purchase the gift pack here.

Contact us to make a booking for other sessions.

2015-Option1Design Option 1

2015-Option2Design Option 2

2015-Option3Design Option 3

2015_STORIES_GIFTPACK_29The Stories gift pack (Now at a discounted rate of RM300)