How to Put a Video on a Christmas Ornament (Step-by-Step)
Kindlyra TeamShare this guide
Putting a video on a Christmas ornament is easier than it sounds. If your ornament connects like a USB drive, it takes about a minute. This guide walks through preparing the clip, loading it, turning photos into a video, and fixing the most common problems. It's written for the Glowmory™ Memory Ornament, but the steps work for most video ornaments that load over USB.
What you need
- The ornament and its USB-C cable (included with Glowmory)
- A phone or computer with a USB-C port, or a USB-C adapter
- Your video clip, ideally 10 to 30 seconds long
No app, account or Wi-Fi is needed.
Step 1: Choose the right clip
Short, bright and simple works best on a small round screen.
- One clear moment: a hug, a laugh, a first step.
- Faces near the center of the frame, since round screens trim the corners.
- Good light: daylight or a bright room.
Step 2: Crop it to a square
Square videos look best. For Glowmory, aim for 480 × 480 pixels.
- iPhone: open the video in Photos, tap Edit, tap the crop tool, choose Square.
- Android: open it in Google Photos, tap Edit, Crop, then choose Square.
- Computer: most free video editors offer a 1:1 aspect ratio when exporting.
Step 3: Add text (optional)
There's no engraving, but you can put words in the video itself, like "Our First Christmas 2026" or "Merry Christmas, Grandma." Use the text tool in your phone's video editor or any free editing app before exporting.
Step 4: Connect the ornament
Plug the ornament into your phone or computer with the USB-C cable. It appears like a USB drive or external storage.
Step 5: Drag the video in
Open the ornament's folder and drag or copy the video file into it. With 4 GB of storage, there's room for several short clips.
Step 6: Unplug, hang and enjoy
Safely eject, unplug and hang it on a sturdy branch. It weighs about 350 g, so an inner branch, shelf or mantel works best. The video plays on a gentle loop.
Only have photos? Make a slideshow video
- Select 5 to 15 photos in your phone's gallery.
- Use the built-in "Create movie" or "Memories" feature, or any free slideshow app.
- Keep each photo on screen for 2 to 3 seconds.
- Export as a square video and load it the same way.
Scanned prints work too. Photograph them in good light with no glare first.
Changing the video later
Plug the ornament in again, delete or replace the file, and unplug. Many families load a new memory every Christmas.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Try this |
|---|---|
| Ornament doesn't appear on your device | Try another cable or port, or charge it first |
| Faces are cut off | Re-crop to a centered square |
| Video looks stretched | Export at a square 1:1 ratio |
| Screen is dark | Charge it fully over USB-C |
If something still doesn't work, contact us. Faulty items are covered by our 30-day guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to upload my video to a website?
No. You load it directly from your phone or computer. Your video never leaves your hands, and Kindlyra never sees it.
Can I use a video of my pet?
Yes, pet videos work just like any other clip.
How do I charge the ornament?
Plug it into any USB-C charger with the included cable. Charge it fully before hanging it.
Can someone else load the video if I send it as a gift?
Yes. Send them the clip and they can drag it in, or ship the ornament to yourself first, load it, then pass it on.
Ready to load your first memory? See the Glowmory Memory Ornament or read more answers in our Gift FAQ.
