SEPTEMBER 30, 2026
Personalised Storybook or Video Gift: Which Should You Choose?
Choose a personalised storybook if you want an illustrated story built around someone's details. Choose a personalised video if you want real performers to say their name and deliver your message on screen. Neither is an instant download: both are made for the recipient after you order.
Wishes Made Easy offers both. They are different gifts, with different production methods, prices and delivery steps. This guide helps you choose without mistaking a digital book for a printed one, or an AI-assisted illustration for a filmed performance.
The short comparison
- Digital storybook: a made-to-order illustrated PDF, currently £9.99. Created with AI and checked by a human. The current product page says delivery by email within 48 hours.
- African crew video: a personalised 30-60 second film featuring real performers. Basic is currently £29.99, Premium £39.99 and VIP £54.99. Basic delivery is 48-72 hours after complete, usable details; Premium and VIP are within 24 hours after those details arrive.
- What arrives: the storybook is a PDF to read on a device or print yourself. The video arrives digitally by email and can be downloaded. Neither option involves a posted physical gift.
These are the current UK prices for the products linked below, not a price promise for every crew or future order. Check your chosen product and checkout total before buying.
Choose the storybook for an illustrated keepsake
A personalised digital storybook uses the details you provide to make the recipient part of the story. It is a different way to tell a birthday story, mark a friendship or turn a pet into the main character.
The current storybook collection has eight storylines: Birthday Adventure, The Day You Were Born, Kids' Hero Story, Love Story, Friendship Story, New Baby Welcome, Pet Story and Memorial Tribute.
Pick the storyline that fits the occasion rather than assuming that every book follows the same plot. After checkout, the personalisation form asks for details such as names, ages, hobbies, in-jokes and the tone you want. A photo is optional if you want the person's likeness in the illustrations.
It is a digital edition, not a posted book
The finished gift is emailed as a PDF. You can read it on a device or print it yourself. A professionally printed paperback or hardcover is described as coming soon on the current product page, so do not order the digital edition expecting a bound book in the post.
Be clear about how it is made
The storybook is made with AI and reviewed by a real person before delivery. It is not a photograph of an event that happened, and it is not the same production process as a live crew video. Look at the labelled sample illustrations to decide whether that style suits the recipient.
Choose the video for a performed message
A personalised African crew video puts your words into a filmed performance. The current product includes the recipient's name, your message and a photo on the board, with package differences for the song, board and extras.
Basic uses a preset song. Premium adds a custom song and custom board. VIP includes the Premium features plus priority filming, a personal gift page, three photos, a crew photo shoot and scheduled send. Read the current package details before choosing; an optional extra is not automatically included in every package.
This video is filmed by real performers, fresh for the order. That distinction matters if you want the gift to be someone saying your message rather than an illustrated story. Choosing a video? Decide on a private gift or group reveal before adding personal details.
Keep the script simple
Start with the person's name, the occasion and one personal detail. Then add the message you want spoken. Include a pronunciation note if the name could be read in more than one way, and check spelling before sending your details.
For help building the brief, use our personalised video request template. The examples are starting points, not a reason to add a joke the recipient would dislike.
Which works better for your occasion?
A birthday
Choose Birthday Adventure if you want to turn the person's interests into an illustrated story. Choose a crew video if you want a short performed greeting to reveal during a call or celebration. Think about how they will open it, not only how you will order it.
A friendship or relationship gift
A Friendship Story or Love Story gives you room for shared details in a book format. A video is a more direct way to have a message performed. Only include memories and personal details you are comfortable sharing for production.
A child's gift
Kids' Hero Story makes the child the main character in an illustrated adventure. Read the product information and supply only the details needed for the gift. If you use a photo, make sure you have permission to share it.
A sensitive occasion
Choose the tone with care. A Memorial Tribute is a different kind of gift from a funny birthday performance. Do not assume the recipient wants a public reveal, a joke or a shareable celebration. A private gift can be the better choice.
Check the deadline before ordering either gift
Digital delivery does not mean instant production. The storybook's current product page says the finished PDF arrives within 48 hours. Complete the personalisation form promptly and check with support if your deadline is tight or a detail is unclear.
For the African crew video, the delivery clock starts when WME has complete, usable details, not when you pay. Premium and VIP are listed within 24 hours after those details; Basic is 48-72 hours. Allow time to check the finished file and prepare your reveal.
If you need something you can send immediately without waiting for it to be made, see our guide to genuinely instant digital gifts instead.
Before you choose
- Decide whether they would prefer a story to read or a performance to watch.
- Check the actual delivery format: PDF, downloadable video or an included gift page.
- Check the price and what your chosen package includes.
- Submit the names, spelling and personal details carefully.
- Use only photos and personal information you have permission to share.
- Leave enough time for production and for checking the result.
Frequently asked questions
Is the personalised storybook a printed book?
No. The current digital edition is an emailed PDF. You can print it yourself; the professionally printed edition is described as coming soon.
Are both gifts made with AI?
No. The storybook uses AI and is checked by a human. The African crew video is filmed by real performers for the order.
Does the £9.99 storybook include a video?
No. The digital storybook and crew video are separate products. Choose the product for the format you want.
Which is cheaper?
The digital storybook is currently £9.99. The African crew video's Basic package is currently £29.99. Check the live product pages for the current prices and any extras before paying.