Tag Archives: Christmas Gift Ideas

Gift Idea #46 – Story Box

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idea numbers46This gift idea was inspired by this post on Design Mom. Guest Aunt Kelly Wilkinson made a story box for her sister as a gift before her first baby was born. I think this could be adapted for other situations. What Kelly did was take a wooden cigar box and decorate the outside with pretty images. A wooden box would be wonderful but other types of containers could be used also.

Inside she and a few friends put handwritten cards with story prompts. This cards can be used by her sister or in the future her sister’s children to start stories from their mother’s life. Children love to hear stories about their parents lives. This idea could also be used with grandparents or other extended family. The story prompts could also be generic and then the story box could be used by anyone to generated memories of their lives. The story box could be the start of a new family tradition that will be enjoyed for years to come.

Gift Idea #45 – Music CD

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idea numbers45With today’s technology, putting together a CD with someones favorite songs is fairly simple. My idea is to gather the favorite songs of an ancestor or family member and then make copies to share. It would be fun to add a few short stories about the person. If you know the background of why a particular song was their favorite that would be very fitting to add to the CD. If you have some audio of the person’s voice that would also make a nice addition to the gift.

If you don’t already have these songs, there are lots of sources to download audio files on the internet. Just do a search by song title and/or artist and you will find them. So will be free and others will cost a small amount for each song.

This idea could also be share as mp3 files via an email, link on a website or through dropbox or another file sharing service. A custom CD would also be a perfect to include in a gift basket (see gift idea #41).

Gift Idea #44 – Shadow Box

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idea numbers44Many years ago I worked as a picture framer. One of the most challenging things I did but also the most rewarding was putting together shadow boxes for customers. Shadow boxes are a wonderful way to display and protect a treasure historical object. I’ve framed everything from china to dresses to locks of hair to military medals.

There are pre-made shadow box frames available at many craft and hobby stores but you might want to consult a custom framing shop before you tackle this project. Depending on what you are framing it can be tricky to figure out how to mount the object without causing permanent damage. Make sure the object is protected by using acid free materials and glass which will block out UV rays to prevent damage from light.

Gift Idea #43 – History Kit

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idea numbers43Would someone on your gift list like to start writing down their own history or help someone else get started on their history? Then how about putting together everything they need to get started?

It could be as simple as a journal or a three-ring binder and paper along with a list of questions and a pen or pencil. Or it could be high-tech. I found software that will help you write your history. Another approach would be a digital recorder in place of the journal.

There are a bunch of sources for questions or journaling prompts. I’ve gathered a few of them below to get you started.

Life Story Printables

Get to Know Your Family and Friends Better

The 50 Best Life Story Questions

Personal History

Tips for Doing Your Personal History

Personal History in Depth

 

 

 

Gift Idea #42 – Family Coloring Book

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idea numbers42I got this idea from a neighbor of my parents. They put together simple coloring books to tell the story of an ancestor. They have done one every year to share at their annual family reunion. They now have nine coloring books. Each book tell a simple story with clip art for the kids to color that goes along with the story. I love this idea. I can’t wait to put a coloring book together too. I’ll have to add it to my list of future projects.

If you would like to see their coloring books you can find them here.

Gift Idea #41 – Gift Basket

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idea numbers41We all know all about gift baskets but this one has a little twist. The theme is an ancestor or a family story. To start pick your focus. Then think of things to go in the basket that will help tell about your focus. Photos would be great. Maybe some object about the person or the story. Write up something about your focus. If you happen to have a book about the subject this would be a fun way to give it to your family. If you are lucky enough to have a video that would be great to include. Something to eat would be a must. If there is food involved in the story, that would be perfect. Or if the person has any favorite foods include those. You could add a few things just to make the basket look pretty too. The idea is to fill the basket with things that can create an environment that will help the story or person feel real.

 

 

Gift Idea #40 – Memory Wreaths

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idea numbers40There are lots of other ways to put together a wreath than the one featured in Gift Idea #39. These are not so much geared to Christmas decoration but to share stories and memories about your family year round. There are lots of options for this project ranging from elegant to modern to shabby chic. Below are example using everything from clothes pins to canvas to lots of tiny picture frames.

The focus of your wreath could be vintage photos to photos you took last week. It could include just one person or grandparents or an entire family. Think of a story you would like to tell using photos and/or objects and gather what you have to work with and see where your creativity takes you. The examples below are just a jumping off point for your personal project.

Heirloom Wreath

Burlap and Canvas Family Heirloom Wreath

Canvas Collage Wreath

Canvas Collage Wreath

Family Tree Wreath

Family Tree Wreath

Picture Frame Memory Wreath

Picture Frame Memory Wreath

Clothespins Memory Wreath

Family Tree

This idea could be adapted to a wreath but I like it just the way it is too.

Gift Idea #39 – Christmas Wreath with Memorablia

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idea numbers39

Simple put this idea is to decorate a wreath with old family photos and other objects from your families past. This gives you the opportunity to share with others the stories about your ancestor.

I learned about this idea at a genealogy conference a couple of years ago. I went to a class by Lisa Louise Cooke. She opened my eyes to the possibilities of ways to share family stories. Lisa has put together four videos with detailed step by step instructions on how to make a family history Christmas wreath. You will find the links below. Have fun with this. Use these videos as a starting point and adapt the idea to your own taste situation.

Family History Christmas Wreath – part 1

Family History Christmas Wreath – part 2

Family History Christmas Wreath – part 3

Family History Christmas Wreath – part 4

Gift Idea #38 – Family Home Dollhouse

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idea numbers38If you are good at building things I think it would be so cool to build a dollhouse for the youngster in the family based on a historical home in your family. If you are really ambitious you could make it to scale and as accurate as possible. This is not a project for the faint of heart but it would be sure to become a family heirloom. But you could also simplify things and still make it representative of the old family home. It would be fun to furnish it with period furniture and accessories.

A simpler version of this gift idea would be to find a dollhouse to buy that has been inspired by a period of history that has some connection to your family stories.

 

Gift Idea #37 – Family Name History

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idea numbers37Do you know where your last name came from? I think it would be interesting to do some research on your family name and gather the information together on a sheet of paper, a booklet or even a book.

You might find a family crest. You might find the origins of the name. You might find out what your last name means. You could trace back your genealogy just following this family name. You might find some of the famous people with the same last name and see if you have a common ancestor.

There is some free info on surnames on the internet and some information that is available for a fee. I’ve never used any of these services, so I don’t know if they are worth the fees. Here are some of the more interesting resources I found.

House of Names

Surnames – History & Origins

Learn about the family history of your surname

Surname Origin

Last Name Meaning

Surname Database

Behind the Name