Short answer: A video montage gift works for Hanukkah, Christmas or the New Year because it gives people something they cannot buy in a store. It is their own story, set to music, on one screen. You send the photos and videos, and our creative team turns them into a film. It can be simple or elaborate.
Why a film makes a good holiday gift
The holidays bring people into the same room. That is rare for many families. A film gives that room a shared moment.
Picture everyone settling onto the couch. Someone presses play. Within a minute, people are laughing and pointing at the screen.
Hanukkah starts on the evening of December 4 this year. Christmas and New Year follow close behind. Any of these nights can be the moment you press play.
For more on gifting a montage in any season, see our page on a video montage as a gift.
A film for parents or grandparents
Most families have photos and clips spread across many phones. Parents and grandparents rarely see them all together.
A gift film can gather those pieces into one story. Here are a few ways to shape it:
- Their life so far, from early photos to the grandkids today.
- The family they raised, told through each child's chapter.
- Small moments they missed, like a first bike ride or a school play.
- Old home movies the family has already saved as digital files.
Grandparents often watch a film like this many times. It becomes the thing they show every visitor.
The family's year in one sitting
A year in review is a warm way to close December. It works well on New Year's Eve, or on any night when everyone is home.
Think about the year in seasons, or in big moments. A trip, a new pet, a graduation, a new home, a first day of school. Then the small, funny clips that no one posted anywhere.
This kind of film suits families with kids who change fast. Each year's film becomes a record you can watch again later. Our year in review video montage page shows how these come together.
An anniversary film during the holidays
Some couples married in December. Others simply love to celebrate when the whole family is together. Either way, the holidays are a natural time for an anniversary film.
Children often give this gift to their parents. A couple can also give it to each other. The film can follow the relationship from the first date to today.
Good material for an anniversary film includes:
- Wedding photos and any clips from the day.
- Homes they lived in and places they traveled.
- Family milestones they shared along the way.
- Recent photos that show who they are now.
Our anniversary video montage page has more on this style of film.
Collecting files while keeping the surprise
A gift is better when it stays a secret. That means collecting files without tipping off the person it is for.
Start with your own phone and computer. Then reach out quietly to siblings, cousins and close friends. Ask each person for their favorite photos and clips.
Friends and family can also record a short message for the film. A cousin across the country can say a few words. An old friend can share a memory. Our video messages page explains how this works.
Every client gets a private Client Concierge Portal by personal link, with no password. You can upload files there, and we can open a link so relatives add their own photos.
Simple or elaborate, it starts with an idea
Every film is different. Some families want a short, sweet set of photos with a favorite song. Others want a fuller story with clips, messages and a custom opening.
Both are welcome. Tell us what you have in mind and we will try to make it happen.
A few things that help us understand your idea:
- Who the film is for, and how they will watch it.
- The mood you want, such as funny, sentimental or a mix.
- Roughly how many photos and clips you have.
- Any songs you love. Music licensing for personal or commercially released songs is your responsibility; if you prefer a worry-free option, we offer a royalty-free music library as a paid add-on, permit included.
Our video editing covers home videos and family clips too, not only photos. Milestone montages start at $600, revisions are unlimited within your project's scope, and your proposal spells out everything before you book.
The Montage Maven is based in Westchester, NY, and works with families nationwide through a fully remote platform.