Gift a memory this year

Make a memory! Of course, always. That’s what I’m all about. But I heard that on morning TV in a spot about good gift giving. What a concept! They were talking about personalizing gifts….now we’re going in the right direction. But maybe you’re not a crafter or have lots of extra cash to buy personalized gifts or buy THE one thing you know someone wants or would buy, if they could. There is still room, and time, to make a memory. Maybe it’s as simple as making a special dinner, contributing something memorable to dinner or making dinner memorable. Keep thinking. We all buy special gifts and most of us put a lot of thought or decision into selecting gifts. But make a memory or recall something special for someone. Is there a special picture from some summer fun or special event this year? Maybe it needs to be enlarged, framed or even put onto a canvas. If you watch, often, the Canvas People or maybe something like Shutterfly offer canvas prints free or for the cost of shipping. You can order personalized note cards or stationary with special pictures included or a calendar. Or maybe you just need to write….yes, write in longhand (cursive), a memory from the year or past years that make that person special to you. Maybe it’s sharing a favorite recipe, new or an old family favorite. Of course, you should make it, then attach the recipe. A couple years ago, I discovered “The Family Cookbook Project”, a site for entering Your recipes and They make the cookbook. Even better this particular website allows you to download a PDF copy of your cookbook to print at a local shop. Locally you can print a spiral/comb-bound cookbook for as low as $10 a piece, depending on how many you have printed. Cooking not your “thing”? Is a collection of pictures more in line with your thought process? There are sites that put them together for you. I mentioned Shutterfly and I know there are many more..Snapfish, Blurb, Mixbook , Heritagemakers, Picaboo and more. But really all you need is your computer or maybe just an empty scrapbook or photo album and copies of your favorite pictures….send the pictures to Walmart or some other photo site, they’ll print the copies…for you to pick up! Walmart also makes photobooks! Of course, IF you’re ready a lot of sites will print your entire genealogy. I’ve done it, but I did it myself on my own computer, then had it copied at a local shop…less expensive...because that can add up! So here’s your challenge…don’t give just a gift….give a memorable gift!