There comes a point when parents stop making wishes. They say, “I don’t need anything,” and they mean it—they’ve already bought everything they wanted for themselves. That’s exactly where the solution lies: give them something they would never buy for themselves. A hand-painted family portrait is just that.
Why “Things” Don’t Work for Parents Anymore
The problem with buying gifts for parents is rarely a lack of goodwill—it’s that they already have everything they need. Once they’ve settled into their lives, they don’t have any unfulfilled wishes left. Every additional gadget, gift card, or bottle ends up on a pile of things they “didn’t really need.”
A painted family portrait completely sidesteps this problem because it doesn’t fall into the category of “thing.” It’s not a consumer item, but a keepsake. And you don’t buy keepsakes for yourself—you give them to one another. That’s exactly what makes it the perfect gift for people who no longer want anything material.
The Family Portrait — What Really Touches Parents
For most parents, the most precious thing in their lives isn't on a wish list: it's their children and grandchildren. A picture that captures exactly that goes straight to the heart.
The best part is that the picture is also a gift for the whole family. It hangs in the parents’ living room and serves as a daily reminder of who belongs to their family. It’s not a gift that gets tucked away in a drawer after the holidays—it becomes an integral part of the home.
Design ideas that work
All the children and grandchildren in one photo
The classic—and the greatest wish of many parents. Even if everyone hasn’t been in a photo together at the same time, you can create a group photo by combining several individual shots. This way, you can create a complete family portrait that spans generations and distances.
An old family photo, repainted
That faded photo from years ago, when the children were still small—as an oil painting, it takes on new dignity and color. For parents, this is often the most emotional option, because it reminds them of the most intense time of their lives.
The Family Home
The house where the family grew up, when custom painting — especially poignant when it’s long since been sold or the parents have moved out. A place that represents an entire chapter of life.
The parents with their pet
An often underestimated choice. For many older people, a pet is a close daily companion—a photo showing the two of them captures that perfectly.
Our guide can help you choose the right format and number of guests Family Portrait Guide.
For Grandma and Grandpa there are ideas of their own – from a picture of the grandchildren to the old wedding photo: Gifts for grandparents
A note regarding portraits of the parents themselves
A photo featuring only the parents is trickier than you might think—many people don’t like seeing themselves prominently displayed on the wall. Safer choices are photos that show the whole family: the parents with their children and grandchildren, or the next generation on their own. If you still want to give a portrait of just the parents, it’s best to ask discreetly beforehand—or choose an old photo from their youth; that’s usually less awkward than a recent one.
Giving gifts together — among siblings
A family portrait is the perfect gift for siblings to share. Instead of each person buying a small gift on their own, they can come together to create one big gift:
- The budget is increasing—this makes it possible to use a larger format with greater impact.
- Everyone contributes photos and ideas—the picture reflects the parents more accurately.
- The gift becomes a family project that everyone will remember.
A family portrait begins with CHF 356 (two people, 40×40 cm), each additional person costs CHF 50. The configurator displays the exact price based on the number of people and the format. Practical tip: Designate one person to coordinate the project—collecting photos, providing the briefing, and giving final approval. Too many cooks slow down the process.
The right occasions
- Milestone birthday: 60, 65, 70—a milestone when a lasting gift is especially fitting.
- Retirement: A new chapter in life—the perfect moment for a photo that captures what matters most.
- My parents' golden wedding anniversary: It’s worth taking a look for yourself—see our article Gift for a golden wedding anniversary.
- Christmas: A family photo under the tree — check out the article for some ideas Personalized Christmas gifts.
- Just because: Sometimes the best gift is one given for no particular reason.
For Christmas, it is best to order by mid-November. If you are later, we send you a card to give as a gift that shows the current stage of the picture – the finished painting follows afterwards.
Here's how the ordering process works
So you know what to expect — the process in brief: you upload the photos and describe who should be in the picture. Your picture is painted — usually two to five weeks. Before it dries, we send you a photo for approval, which you can review at your leisure — corrections are still possible at that point. If you have a fixed date, plan in a buffer of a few weeks.
A safe bet for in-laws, too
When it comes to in-laws, choosing a gift is often even trickier—you’re less familiar with their tastes, and a misstep stands out more. That’s exactly why a family photo works here too: the subject isn’t a matter of taste, but the family itself. A photo showing the grandchildren or the young couple is almost always a hit with in-laws—and at the same time conveys appreciation across generations. If you’re unsure, a photo of the grandchildren is the safest bet.
Which photo will be voted the best family photo?
Since the gift is usually meant to be a surprise, you rarely get a perfect photo—and you don't need to. What matters is:
- Several photos instead of just one perfect one: Feel free to send us five photos. Our artists will combine them to create the perfect family portrait—the pose from one, the faces from another.
- Faces must be recognizable: Sharp and large enough. The rest—clothing, background, surroundings—can be adjusted while painting.
- Old photos are fine too: Simply take a photo of a yellowed old picture in natural light—and it will become a vibrant, colorful oil painting.
- Collecting in secret: Other family members almost always have usable photos on their phones—ask them discreetly.
Frequently asked questions
We don't have a photo of everyone together.
That's the standard procedure. Send us several individual or group photos—our artists will use them to create a cohesive group portrait.
Can deceased family members be included in the photo?
Yes. A complete family portrait should include everyone who belongs to the family. We handle this with care—read more in the article A painted picture of loved ones who have passed away.
How can I surprise my parents without them noticing?
Other family members usually have the photos. Plan the gift together with your siblings—that way, the surprise will be kept.
What if my parents don't like the picture?
That's exactly what the approval photo is for: before the painting dries, you see the finished picture and can still request corrections. And since the subject is your own family, the hit rate is very high anyway — hardly anyone dislikes a picture of their children and grandchildren.
Ready to really surprise your parents?
Post your family photo on Configurator together or check out the website Have a family portrait painted. If you have any questions about choosing photos or organizing a group gift, our Contact Form or a quick WhatsApp chat.
