In years gone by family homes had a special wall where framed photos of the house hold members were proudly hung. If you were well off, instead photos you had oil paintings. The walls would be full of them; generations of patriarchs, with or without their spouses, sometimes with children; proudly displaying the family lineage.

We don't bother with oil paintings these days. I think there is a perception that these paintings are expensive to have created - and they can be. But then, they don't have to be.

An online gallery called Linden Alley can take your photos, digital or prints, and turn out high quality hand painted oil paintings. Like all good artists, they can also make changes to the finished painting. Change the background; smooth out a few wrinkles; take an old dull photo and add life; or even add family members.

I don't review many sites these days, preferring to stick to products I have tried. However, Linden Alley has caught my attention for two reasons. First, I am a little old fashioned, perhaps a bit of a romantic as well, but I do like the idea of family portraits done in oil hanging proudly on the wall.

The second reason it grabbed my attention is the simplicity and the opportunity it opens. You don't have to pose for hours on end, just send a photo. I like the idea of being able to send a photo and having the finished product returned. Imagine the special gift it could make. Your parents 50th wedding anniversary. Send off your favorite happy snap and back comes the painting - great wedding anniversary present. What about for the bride and groom? Stuck for a gift idea? Send them a oil painting created by hand from one or more of the wedding photos.

Te ideas are endless; the price isn't. It's actually a lot cheaper than I imagines with finished oils priced from around $160 (US) which includes postage anywhere in the world - that's unframed. You can the finished product stretched and framed if you want. I think they could make a wonderful gift idea myself and Valentine's Day is just around the corner - I just need to decide which photos I like best.

this is not a paid post or in anyway a paid review - the comments are based on my own experience