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creative gift ideas for milestone birthdays

The Ultimate Gifting Guide For Milestone Birthdays

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On November 5, 2019

In Gifting Guides

Having trouble looking for gifts for milestone birthdays? Choosing the right present for someone can often be difficult, especially when there is so much to choose from. When a loved one reaches a big birthday, you want to make sure that you’re buying them something as special as the occasion itself. Follow our birthday gift guide for present ideas that will blow the others right out of the water (although it’s not a competition, of course!). From day trips to personal mementos that will spark precious memories, there’s something for everyone on this list.

Nixplay frames: perfect gifts for milestone birthday

Arrange A Special Day Out

A once-in-a-lifetime experience is the perfect milestone birthday gift. You can book a tandem skydive for the budding thrillseeker or Broadway tickets for the theater fan. Alternatively, for something a little closer to home, why not book a spa retreat or a delicious meal for two? A night away in a swanky hotel is always a great choice, too. There’s a special experience for everyone, whether they’re turning 18, 40 or 70. Just plan accordingly!

Be sure to savor the memories and take several pictures throughout the day! This way, you can display them at home and remember the day forever. Why not do so on a Nixplay digital photo frame? If you have one set up beforehand, your loved ones can send photos to you and your family at home so you can see what they’re up to!

Organize A Surprise Birthday Party

This is the perfect way to celebrate a loved one’s big birthday with all their friends and family. You could even choose a theme! Maybe everyone can dress up as something that begins with the first letter of their name, or you can put on outfits that reflect the birthday boy or girls’ favorite TV show or decade. You can opt for a luxurious night at the movies with champagne and delicious canapés, or go Viva Las Vegas in a homemade casino with a cocktail bar and roulette table!

Go the extra mile and get your loved one’s family and friends to pre-record birthday messages that you can play on a Nixplay Smart Frame. You can even take a bunch of pictures throughout the night and send them to your Nixplay Frame for live party updates–get creative and pull together some fun photo booth props to jazz them up! Better yet, with a Nixplay Seed Wave, you can link up your Spotify and play a party playlist to accompany your photos.

Personalized Gifts For Milestone Birthdays

Personalized gifts, like a champagne bottle and set of flutes for someone’s 21st birthday, are a popular choice when it comes to milestone birthday present ideas. But we have a few other creative gift ideas that you may not have considered before!

  • A personalized nursery book or children’s tale is perfect for newborns. Though they may not be able to appreciate it at the beginning, this gift is a keepsake that will come into play later on in life.
  • Arrange to get a hand-drawn map of their hometown framed. Are they turning 18 and heading off to college, or are a little older and have moved away from home? They may want a memento to remind them of their roots.
  • You can also get personalized maps where the street names are replaced with songs from a certain decade or genre. Amend this to suit their taste in music or to remind them of an unforgettable time in their college years. This unique birthday gift is sure to send them right down memory lane.
  • Get a soundwave printed of their favorite song, or even a track that sparks precious memories, and frame it.
  • There are also websites that will put together a print of a constellation map to celebrate special occasions. All you need to do is select the date and time of their birth to recreate the night (or daytime) sky at that specific moment. This gift also works perfectly for weddings and anniversaries.

Top tip: when framing a print or other piece of artwork, be sure to consider the interior décor of the birthday girl or boy’s home. It’s a small thing but it certainly counts!

  • Buy a notebook and get all of their family and friends to write and decorate each page with personalized messages. It’s a personal (and portable!) keepsake that they can look back to on their next big birthday.
  • Do they have a bucket list of places they want to visit before they reach a certain age? Then a scratch map is a perfect way for them to track their progress. You can also order movie scratch posters that allow you to tick off those ‘must-see’ movies as you go along.
  • Does your loved one have a pet that they adore? Commission someone to paint or take pictures of their furry friend and frame it! Alternatively, get someone to paint a scene of their favorite place/moment or a family portrait that they can hang up at home.
  • Some websites allow you to order a print of the front page of the newspaper on the day they were born, so they can see the headlines from that very special day. this one’s a great gift idea for communication professionals.
  • Is your loved one a vinyl fan? Head to your local record store or browse online for the no. 1 single (or album) from the day they were born and get it framed. It’s a beautiful memento and a retro home décor piece that will stand the test of time.
  • Put together a scrapbook titled “your life in pictures” and leave blank pages for them to fill in–a milestone birthday book, if you will. Filled with precious moments and memories that they never want to forget, this is the perfect gift for someone who is celebrating a big birthday. As a helping hand, there are several companies that will print out as many images as you need–simply download their app and do it all straight from your phone!

Better yet, put together a digital scrapbook with a Nixplay Smart Frame. You can set it up with some of their favorite memories and then send live updates as you go along–with just the click of a button. Keeping memories alive has never been easier! The ideal gift for anyone celebrating a big birthday. Treat your loved one on this very special occasion with a gift that keeps on giving.

Take a look at our Smart frames, Digital frames, and Wi-Fi frames, the perfect gifts for milestone birthdays.

Find winter family photo ideas with Nixplay

Winter Vacation Spots for the Best Family Photos

By

On October 24, 2019

In Lifestyle

‘Tis the season to be jolly–and very, very cold! Unless you’re lucky enough to live in one of the sunnier states, you’d have already noticed the chill in the air and the longer, darker nights drawing in. Winter is well on its way, and now’s the time to start planning the ultimate winter getaway.

Time away in a scenic wintry setting is not only a great way to unwind and de-stress. It’s also the perfect opportunity to capture some high-quality photos–perfect for the holiday card you’re sending to your family and friends or the personalized photo album you’re putting together as a Christmas gift for someone special.

Seeking inspiration for a vacation is tricky, especially during winter. So we’ve done the hard part for you by putting together a guide on where the perfect winter getaway spots are, and how you can make the most of it.

Winter Vacation Spots

Lake Louise Ski Resort, Canada
Less than an hour away from the Instagram-worthy town of Banff, Lake Louise is one of Canada’s stand-out ski resorts. Whether you’re an experienced, die-hard skier or just starting out, this 4,200-acre terrain will make the prettiest backdrop for family photos.

USA National Parks
Have you ever wanted to explore the natural wonders of Yosemite or the Grand Canyon, but are put off by the massive crowds, elevated prices, and too-hot-to-handle weather? That’s understandable. Visiting in the winter will ease all of those worries, and when it comes to photos, there really is no place better.

The Riviera Maya, Mexico
If embracing the snow on the slopes or hiking up mountains isn’t for you, why not infuse a touch of paradise to your winter getaway? While most beach resorts settle down at the end of the year, the Riviera Maya in Mexico is just getting started – and there’s not a Christmas sweater in sight. From Mayan history and ancient ruins to long stretches of white sandy beaches and yoga retreats, Mexico has something for everyone. Don’t forget to send a holiday card of you sipping cocktails on the beach!

San Juan, Puerto Rico
If you’re chasing the sun but still keen to avoid a typical resort-style winter getaway, you should try soaking up the ambiance and culture of Puerto Rico’s largest city, San Juan. With endless rows of colorful colonial buildings and an abundance of cobblestone squares, you’ll be spoiled for choice on where to take your winter holiday photos.

New York City
Sometimes, winter vacation spots are easy to choose. If you prefer to keep it classic, New York City is the way to go. There’s always something going on at every corner in The Big Apple, and when it comes to photos, it’s easy to find the perfect setting. Because everywhere you go, you’ll feel like you’ve walked straight into a Hallmark movie.

Winter Family Photo Ideas

Hopefully, our go-to destination guide has provided you with the inspiration you need to plan your ideal winter getaway. If you think you’re covered for winter family photo ideas, but still need some advice on techniques or photography, we’ve got your back.

How to Take a Winter Family Photo

Having a picture-perfect background is only half the battle when it comes to winning photos. You’ve also got to think about lighting, angles, positioning, and quality. So, when you’re getting snap happy on your winter getaway, take a moment to think about the basics.

With family photos, it’s generally best to keep it natural. Even candid shots that no one is ready for can end up coming out on top. Putting everyone at ease is the first step of great photography, whether you’re going for a traditional family photo or a creative, personality-infused picture.

The main problem most people face with group photos is synergy. Someone always blinks or squints at the wrong time, or looks in the wrong direction or forgets to smile. It’s exhausting! Setting some time aside on your vacation for photo taking is crucial to make it as memorable as possible.

Family Photo Display Ideas

Find family photo display ideas with Nixplay

Whether you’re creating a holiday card, compiling a photo album, designing a collage, or simply giving away photos as a gift, how can you ensure your pictures are kept and enjoyed for a long time to come?

Digital photo frames are changing the way we view and share photos, and keeping memories alive has never been easier. You can use digital frames to display your pictures anywhere in your home, and you can instantly share your photos at the click of a button. You can even link some frames, like the Nixplay Seed Wave, up to Spotify and create playlists to music. You can even use it to display short videos! When it comes to family photo display ideas, it truly can’t be beaten.

Take a look at Nixplay’s Smart frames, Digital frames, and Wi-Fi frames to find the perfect creative photo display for your family.

Coping with deployment separation

Coping With Deployment Separation

By

On October 18, 2019

In Photography

Life as a military family can be challenging. Staying close to a loved one whilst they’re on deployment can be hard, and it’s not just for the time that they’re away either.

The moments leading up to and following deployment may cause confusion and anxiety. After all, it seems like only yesterday that you were enjoying the warmth of your home, sitting on the couch with your family while watching a movie. Now, your family is separated because of a patriotic commitment, and you pray every night that you will all be together again.

Thanks to technology, there are several ways that you can stay close to your loved ones on deployment. Follow our top tips to make that precious time you have together extra special, and stay close with Nixplay.

Arrange Plenty Of Video Calls

Arranging plenty of video calls while you’re away from your family will allow you to express thoughts and share things that are difficult to convey over the phone. It’s also a great way to stay updated with each other and receive plenty of assurance that they’re okay.

Maybe your kids want to show your loved one their latest art masterpiece, or maybe your dog wants to say hello. Video calls can make all of this possible. You can smile together, laugh together, or even cry together. Just make sure you have a decent internet connection before you start and you’re good to go!

Send A Handwritten Letter Or A Military Care Package

Despite the benefits of technological communication, nothing beats the good old traditional method. Handwritten letters and care packages are wonderful keepsakes for military families. Better yet, they’ll be lovely mementos for when you fast-forward 40 years from now to when your children are old enough to have families of their own. They’ll be showing the letters that they once sent to their family, passing on the memories through the generations.

If you’re struggling with what to write, start with how you’re feeling and what you’re up to. Keep your loved one updated about any big milestones, but also remember to tell them about the small things, too. What did you do today? What did you have for dinner? Anything is relevant and interesting, trust us! The more details you include, the closer to them you will feel—and vice versa.

If your loved one is going to be away for Christmas or their birthday, send over some cards with “open on {date}” on them. These cards are a great way to get them into the festive spirit. Cards labeled “open when you’re feeling sad” or “open when you want a laugh” are also a nice gesture that you can send all year round.

Another way to stay in touch is to send a military care package. Here are some ideas of what to include:

Food and drink: Send them some of their favorite snacks and candy. Small things like this will help them feel closer to home, no matter how far away they are. Gum and mints are also a great addition to your military care package, as well as protein bars and shake mixes.

Toiletries: As well as the basics, like toothpaste and shower gel, consider where your loved one is based. Hand cream may come in handy if they’re spending time in the desert, and sunscreen is always helpful wherever they may be!

Flip flops: gravel and sand can often find itself on the floor of a shared bathroom, so keep it clean and send your loved one some flip flops in their favorite hue.

Sticker books: It’s a nice little something to share out in the local communities.

Christmas and birthday presents: if your loved ones are away for their next birthday or Christmas, send them over some gifts to get them in the festive spirit.

A calendar: Send them a calendar with their return date filled in so they can count down the days until they come home.

Every base is different, so if you’re not sure what you can or can’t send, be sure to check with your loved one first.

Top tip: Rather than sending printed family photos, save valuable space in your care package and send personal photographs via a Nixplay Smart Photo Frame!

Exchange Belongings Before They Leave

It can be nice to exchange personal belongings with your loved ones before they leave so that you have something of each other to help you stay close while you’re apart. Give them a part of you and keep something that belongs to them, whether it’s your favorite necklace or a treasured family heirloom. That way, it will feel like they’re with you every day.

Invest In A Nixplay Digital Frame

One of the most effective ways to stay close as a military family is to send photos to one another via Nixplay Wi-Fi Photo Frames. With our smart frames, you can share photos and videos straight from your phone, computer, or tablet to your loved ones, no matter where they are. You can also share 15-second videos and personal messages, as well as send live updates with photos of your day. From selfies with the kids to pictures of the dog, you can keep your loved one in the loop with a Nixplay Smart Photo Frame.

Struggling to choose which photos to send? Discover some of our military family photo ideas to stay close with your loved ones on deployment.

Pre-deployment Family Photo Ideas

Organizing a mini family photoshoot pre-deployment is a great way to get a collection of photos ready for your Nixplay frame. Whether it’s done professionally or at home with a smartphone, each image will be treasured as it’s really the thought that counts.

Here are some of our pre-deployment family photo ideas:

  • Get the kids together and take one big family photo. Take this one in the comfort of your own home, and make sure that everyone is smiling brightly and you’re all facing the right direction. You just can’t beat a cheery family photo!
  • If you’re being deployed or have a child who’s being deployed abroad, you might want to take individual photos with each of your children and family members to build up your collection.
  • Take some fun pictures too! Whether that’s cuddly toys or fancy dress costumes, you can jazz up your military family photos and have some real fun with it.
  • Get a photo with the family pet (if you have one, of course).
  • Don’t just take staged photos. Where possible, get some candid snaps of your family enjoying their time together, in real life. Whether these photos are taken while playing video games, running around at the park, or simply sitting down at dinner, they’ll make for nice memories to add to your albums. These photos are the ones that will feel the most authentic and will bring the biggest smile to your face.
  • You could take photos in seasonal clothing too. If your loved one is stationed overseas for the holidays, it may be comforting to look at snaps of everyone looking festive, especially with the holiday season drawing near!

Set up your Wi-Fi photo frame with these images before you go, or send them across to your loved ones whilst they’re away to remind them of how much you love them.

How To Properly Welcome Them Home

Whilst it’s important to stay close with deployed soldiers when they’re away, welcoming them home in the right way is equally as important. It can be an anxious time, so you need to allow for re-adjustment. Respect that things may be different, and be open and reassuring.

Your loved one may need some space to think, or they might need you to listen while they talk about their experiences. But don’t let that stop you from having fun. Liven things up a bit with a banner and gear up the house in preparation. Get all of their favorite things in—food, drinks, films, the lot. And remember to set up your digital photo frame with all of your favorite family photos.

Our smart frames, Wi-Fi frames, and digital photo frames are the perfect way to stay close to your loved ones on deployment. Get together a collection of military family photos and set up your digital display to stay connected.

How to use digital Halloween decorations and Halloween props

8 Digital Halloween Decorations For Your Home

By

On September 30, 2019

In Holidays

With Halloween right around the corner, it’s time to start looking for your costume, planning your pumpkin carving ideas, and thinking about your decorations.

While dressing up is what it’s all about, it’s also a great time to dress up your home too! This year, why not mix it up a little with some savvy, unique tech decorations? Keep the jack-o-lanterns, plastic cauldrons, and fake creepy crawlies in the basement this year and invest in some cool tech decorations that are guaranteed to give your home the winning edge.

Now, we want to help you become the envy of your neighbors by making your house look as frightening as possible. That’s why we’ve put together some tips on making Halloween decorations and using the best tech Halloween props to give your house a whole new look for the spooky season.

Digital Halloween Decorations

Most of us dabble in tech gadgets every day, even if it’s just our smartphones. Going the extra mile with these digital and animated Halloween decorations will ensure you’ll give your trick-or-treaters and party guests the ultimate fright night.

Halloween Hologram

Tech decorations don’t have to be difficult. With a simple projector kit, you can dress up your windows with a Halloween hologram and give your trick-or-treaters the impression that you’re not home alone!

LED Light Show

Who says outdoor light decorations are just for Christmas? This LED light projector will make your home stand out with a decorative light show. With a variety of slides and patterns, a remote control, an auto-timer function, and advanced water wave projection, it’s a fun way to give your house a serious splash of colour and fun.

Ghost Drone

Already have a drone handy at home? If you like getting creative or prefer making Halloween decorations yourself, give your drone a makeover and turn it into a spooky ghost with a bedsheet or a cheesecloth. Alternatively, you can drape a store-bought hanging skeleton over your drone. Watch your visitors run for their lives as it comes floating towards them!

Amazon Echo

Halloween is the perfect time to put your Amazon Echo to good use! All you have to do is enable Alexa and say ‘Alexa, start spooky Halloween sounds’ into the speaker. This can play on a continuous loop for your Halloween party, and the speaker itself can easily be disguised or hidden to give off the ultimate aural illusion.

Animated Halloween Decorations

Animated Hanging Ghost

Hang this animated hanging ghost above your front door or from the ceilings in your home to give troublesome trick or treaters a good scare. This touch and voice-activated ghoul lights up, shakes its arms, and makes spine-tingling sounds, making it the perfect starting point for your Halloween props collection.

Animated Zombie Fogger

Are you looking for a Halloween addition to your front lawn or back yard? Freak out your friends and family with the Gaseous Zombie Fogger, a two-foot tall zombie that pulls himself out of the ground and spits fog from his gruesome, decaying mouth.

Talking Eyeball Doorbell

For something a little more scare-proof and playful, this animated talking doorbell is perfect. With an ultra-bright glow-in-the-dark light and high-quality sound with a variety of spooky sayings, this gadget will give your party guests an entertaining Halloween greeting.

Haunted Moving Painting

Give your Halloween trick or treaters and party guests an authentic haunted house experience with these 3D haunted portraits. The painted faces change at different angles, giving off the illusion that you’re being watched—the perfect combination of mystery and horror.

How To Display Photos At A Party

Find out how to display photos at a party with Nixplay.

When you’ve spent hours transforming your home into the ultimate haunted house and planning your best Halloween costume, you’ll want to make sure it’s remembered with the best Halloween photos. You could even set up a makeshift photo booth and host a Halloween costume competition for your party guests!

Whatever you decide to do, you can display your Halloween photos perfectly using a digital photo frame. Browse our range of Wi-Fi Photo Frames, Smart Frames, and Digital Frames online now and make this Halloween the most memorable one yet!

Top tips on couples maternity photography with Nixplay

Maternity Photography Tips to Capture the Journey to Parenthood

By

On September 24, 2019

In Photography

The pregnancy journey is a magical one, especially for first-time parents. So, how can you ensure that those milestone maternity moments are remembered forever?

Capturing that pregnancy glow on camera while getting ready for a baby can seem like a bit of a challenge, especially if you’re busy doing a million other tasks. But even if you’re spending all of your spare time shopping for baby clothes, attending birthing classes and baby-proofing your home, it’s never too late to start documenting your memories.

Our maternity photography tips and advice will make it easier to take timeless pregnancy photos.

How To Take Pregnancy Photos

Watching your body change every day can be a daunting experience, but it’s also one of the most exciting journeys you’ll ever have.

First, you need to decide on the kind of vibe you’re going for with your pregnancy photos. Most moms want to achieve flattering shots that complement their baby bump. As a baby grows in its own unique way, so does the body carrying it, and what works for one mom might not work for another. Do you want wholesome and natural candid pictures or theatrical, happy photos? The options are endless, and everyone has different preferences.

The most crucial aspects of any photo are the lighting and angles, which can spell the difference between success and disaster. If your bump is quite round and profound, a straight-on shot can work. If not, try twisting to the side at a 45-degree angle to bring out your bump.

Location is everything when it comes to taking photos, so be sure to choose a scenic backdrop with clear or natural lighting. You can opt for a relaxed photoshoot in own home, or venture further and get photos taken in a place that means something to you. Either way, the baby’s comfort and safety should be of utmost priority.

You can also highlight your pregnancy journey by taking a new photo every week from the same spot and angle. This way, you can clearly see the changes your body is going through with the ultimate time-lapse image. You can also mix it up and only take photos in your third trimester when the bump’s growth is most noticeable.

How to take pregnancy photos is up to you, but there are a few go-to guidelines to capture high-quality maternity photos, regardless of where you’re taking them.

Maternity Photography Tips

When taking maternity photos, you should steer clear of loose or flowy clothing and stick to figure-hugging material. This is the most effortless way to emphasize your baby bump, which is the whole point of having pregnancy photos.

The most common pregnancy pose is holding your hands gently on your belly, which never fails to look natural and nurturing. But don’t hesitate to get creative with standing, sitting and leaning positions in your photos. The main focus will always be the bump, so as long as you’re angling the camera to your belly, your photos will be effective.

While taking your photos in nice, natural daylight is generally the way to go, you could be a little more adventurous and play around with shadow or low light photography. This will help you go the extra mile to show off that precious baby bump while lessening the focus on yourself in the photos.

Selfies are also a great way to document your pregnancy journey, but these should be more realistic. A good selfie needs eye contact and a genuine, relatable smile. This is the perfect way to capture pregnancy photos if you want to do it in the style of a diary or a vlog.

Couples Maternity Photography

Pregnancy isn’t just a special time for mom. Couples maternity photography is a memorable way to get dad involved and spend some quality time together before the baby is born.

It’s important to take maternity photos that express who you are as a couple and encapsulate the emotions you’re both feeling. The best tip for couples is to keep close together and to not be afraid to make it personal and fun. Even making each other laugh can create picture-perfect memories. This is the last time it’s going to be just the two of you before you embark on the long journey of parenthood, so make the most of it!

Display your maternity photos and pregnancy journey with a Nixplay frame

Getting Ready For A Baby

Getting ready for a baby can be a nerve-wracking time, but it’s also a time to celebrate! As busy and complicated as it can be, you shouldn’t forget that you’re about to bring new life into the world, and a moment as huge as this deserves the best photos.

Sharing your pregnancy journey with loved ones and friends is important too, and it’s going to be easier with a digital photo frame. With our high-tech range of displays, you can view and share your maternity photos anywhere you like and create a special keepsake the whole family can enjoy.

View our range of Wi-Fi frames, smart frames and digital frames online now.

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