Gifts from the Heart-Christmas edition

Book cover designed by Alexis Helmrath

So here we are, on the cusp of a non-stop season full of food, festivities, family and friendship.

I read somewhere that the average person eats 2,000-3,000 calories just for the Thanksgiving meal. That’s waaaay more than the recommended daily allowance, I believe. . .

Yikes.

I have a better idea of what to do instead of going back for one more teensy bite seconds thirds everything that’s left.

Let’s take a look at some nifty gift ideas for those folks who are on your list, especially those who you stress over every year. I believe I can provide some direction and relief for you instead.

Design a Photobook

Take some of those photos from your last trip, last year, the family reunion-anything from that digital shoebox overflowing with memories waiting to be organized and printed. Head over to any of the multitude of great sites including Shutterfly, My Publisher and my absolute favorite: Picaboo. Check their sites for first timer discounts, or do a general search on the web for coupons. This time of year is great to snag some deals on these books. Picaboo is my absolute go-to site for books. Although they are more expensive than others, the ease of use and speed of their site and the flexibility in the design more than makes it up for me.

Build a Memory Album

For any of you who like to round up family members to go in on gifts, this one is for you. This is an especially great idea for the person on your list who has everything. The ingredients are few, and can be as simple or elaborate as you wish:  paper, plastic protective sleeves, a binder, and a prompt to get everyone started. You choose a basic theme-a prompt-such as “My favorite Christmas memory with you is. . .”. Then, each participant gets a page to fill with whatever they choose: a sentence or two, photos and captions, old letters, scrapbook goodies, etc. We did this for my dear hubbie’s birthday and it was great. You can see more on it here.

Create a Story Ornament

I have written about these fun to do projects in regards to creating them specially for friends and family, and also in regards to crafting a collection of unique decorations for your child to take with them when they become adults and move away from home. (For any of you who laughed at the thought of your children ever leaving home, you can go read this, this and this for some hope.) We have as much fun choosing a theme and designing these one of a kind baubles these as we do giving them, but you may have just as much fun surfing the internet for just the perfect treasure. See all about the story ornaments here and here.

Write a letter

I can hear you wondering if I’ve lost it. Really? A letter? How cheap can you get? Stay with me here, as we have done this several times. It is a wonderful gift, as it provides a great opportunity to let someone know how much they mean to you.  As I wrote in a previous post about my husband penning a last minute gift for his dad:

Keith put his blue pen to an unadorned piece of lined notebook paper, and poured out a simple message of love and gratitude to his very straightforward, what-you-see-is-what-you-get, old school dad.

I don’t remember Keith writing or giving this present, nor do I recall Marshall’s reaction. What I do know now, however, is this: Keith’s dad carefully folded up that note, and carried it with him, in his wallet, for the twelve remaining years of his life.

Twelve. Years.

Truly, this is a one-of-a-kind gift that only you can give. Share it with someone you love this year.

Frame a work of art

Take an long forgotten poem, a story, a cartoon-anything that was created by a family member-and either use the original, or have it copied or scanned, and frame it. Interesting and inexpensive older frames can be found in thrift stores, although generally with really ugly pictures that are begging to be swapped out for your art. Although I have yet to do this, I have seen it done, and it is delightful, especially with early crayon artistry for young adults who need something for the bare walls of their new apartment.

Buy some great books

We have a collection of Christmas books that we began to gather soon after we became parents. Those books would come out every year, and we would enjoy them just as much as we did the first time. As the girls got older, we started the tradition of giving them a book every year. Not only do they now have a collection of unique ornaments, they also have their treasured stories. We were also the aunt and uncle who very often gave books to the young nieces and nephews for Christmas as a small, quiet and lasting alternative to the onslaught of toys.

I have put together some suggestions for you and your family below. I encourage you to start or continue a tradition of gathering stories that can be read aloud so that you can slow down and spend some quality quieter time with your family. Of course, I am required by law to tell you that if you follow my link to Amazon, I will earn a very small commission on your purchase, which does not change the price of whatever you buy.

Remember to take time for yourself and your family this blessed season, and enjoy creating some very special gifts for very special people in your life.

How are you personalizing your gift giving this year?

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