Scrapbooks Make Great, Heartfelt Gifts
If you're tired of buying presents that get discarded or forgotten moments after they're opened, try giving something from the heart instead. A scrapbook is a great way to go for a relatively low cost. What's even better is the sentimentality of the effort and the end result will make the gift one that will not be forgotten.
Whether you're setting out to make a scrapbook for a friend or family member, how you approach the project will depend on the topic. If, for example, you'd like to create one for your best friend's wedding, you might want to create a book as a template, complete a few pages and let the new bride and groom fill in the rest as their lives together unfold.
For family members it's generally a little easier to get your hands on pictures, documents and other items that would make a great scrapbook. Anniversaries, births, graduations and other special occasions all are wonderful for scrapbook giving as are holidays and birthdays.
Here are a few tips for collecting items you might need to create a special gift scrapbook:
* Start out by picking your topic and decide if it's a book you need to fill every page on or one the person who will be receiving it might like to add to as the years go by.
* Collect photographs, clippings and other items you might have in your possession that will help with the venture.
* If you don't have photos or need to get more, be a little sneaky about the venture so as to not let on. Tell a family member you'd like to make copies of photos for your own albums - and do so, don't ever alter someone else's pictures, even if it's for their own scrapbook!
* If the photos needed are of a friend, ask some of their relatives for assistance. For example, for wedding or baby books. Let the relatives in on the secret, if necessary, but insist they keep it hush hush.
* Don't forget other items like birth certificates, marriage licenses, awards, degrees and so on. Whatever will help you tell the story.
* Do leave room for additions later, especially in the case of a wedding, baby or family album book.
* Include some personal insights, but leave them to a minimum. This is your family member's or friend's tale, not yours.
A scrapbook is a gift that can really show the recipient how much you care. For parents' milestone anniversaries, the birth of a baby or even a friend with a mean softball habit, the gift will speak volumes about your love for them. Plus, it's a present that won't be easily forgotten.
