🎄 The Gift They’ll Never Forget: Christmas Portrait Commissions 2025

Emma Keys
Sep 1
2 min read

There are gifts that get unwrapped, used once, and quietly forgotten… and then there are gifts that stop someone in their tracks. A portrait falls firmly in the second camp. Whether it’s a much-loved pet, a wedding moment, or a pair of mischievous grandchildren, a hand-painted portrait is the kind of present that makes people cry (the good kind of tears!).

And while the summer holidays might only just be over, Christmas has a sneaky way of hurtling towards us faster than expected. My order book is already filling up, and I can now officially say:

✨ Only 3 guaranteed portrait slots remain for Christmas 2025. ✨

Why so few Christmas Portrait Commissions?

Each portrait takes many hours to create — from sketching and layering to capturing the tiny details that bring your subject to life. With commissions already booked in and Christmas shows and events on the horizon, I can only take a handful more if I’m going to deliver them to my usual standard (and on time!).

Once those three spaces are gone, that’s it for 2025.

And honestly, I can’t quite put into words what a privilege it is to be asked to create these portraits. They’re not just paintings to hang on a wall — they so often become family heirlooms, treasured for years and passed down through generations. To be trusted with that responsibility is something I never take for granted.

Emma with some of her 2025 Dog portraits

Thinking Ahead: Bookings Open for 2026 (Yes, Even Christmas 2026)

If you’re searching for memorable gift ideas, personalised presents, or wedding paintings from photos, you’re in the right place. It’s never too early to secure a meaningful, made-to-last gift.

I’m opening my diary for all of 2026, including Christmas 2026, so you can:

Celebrate weddings & anniversaries with a painting from your favourite photo.
- First anniversaries are traditionally “paper” gifts — what could be better than a hand-painted portrait from your wedding day?
Mark milestone birthdays & retirements with something personal and unforgettable.
Treat pet lovers with a watercolour or charcoal portrait of their beloved animal.
Delight grandparents & families with portraits of children, grandchildren, or even favourite homes and gardens.

Booking early means you choose dates that suit you, have time to select the perfect photo, and secure a place in my diary before it fills.

Charcoal artwork the perfect "Paper" anniversary gift

Gift Vouchers (Give the Promise of a Portrait)

Not sure which photo to choose yet, or found me after the Christmas cut-off? A gift voucher for a portrait commission is the perfect solution. It lets the recipient choose their favourite photo and decide on watercolour or charcoal. You still have something meaningful to wrap up on the day, while giving them the joy of being part of the process.