It\u2019s never too early to think of Christmas.\u00a0 Am I the only one who thinks that way?\u00a0 Granted, I am not one of those who has the shopping all done and wrapped before Thanksgiving.\u00a0 I\u2019m usually still scrambling around at the last minute still looking for that \u201cperfect gift\u201d, which is hopefully on sale.<\/p>\n
This is sort of a continuation of last year\u2019s post of Memorable Christmas Gifts.\u00a0 Following are some ideas that may keep you busy the good part of this year; money may be saved in the process, there\u2019s plenty of time now, unless you procrastinate until Halloween, there are benefits to both you and the receiver in these gifts, and they will surely become treasured heirlooms.
\n1)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Collect various stories and experiences from ancestors of your children (both sides of the family), and bind it in book form.
\n2)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Create a collage, art piece, or memento that represents your family \u2013
\nA)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0A Generation picture \u2013 old pictures combined in a frame, or living family in a portrait (all the family or just the girls in similar dresses). \u00a0I have placed the photos of the women in my family in a frame for each of my daughters.\u00a0 \u00a0I have learned that oversized family portraits are elephants when they become outdated.\u00a0 A nice moderate size is good enough, especially when combined with several other family portraits.
\nB)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A Quilt filled with pictures and\/or mementos.
\nC)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A Scrapbook page filled with traditions and idiosyncrasies about your family, nicely framed for the wall.
\nD)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Photos or drawn pictures combined attractively in a collage or group frame.
\n3)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Emergency kits filled with basics.\u00a0 Take the year to fill and organize, then give as gifts.\u00a0 Just cross your fingers they won\u2019t be needed during the year.
\n4)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 My married kids are forever asking me for the recipe of a favorite dish.\u00a0 On-line you can find sites where they will help you create a book if you supply the recipes and even some pictures.
\n5)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Also on-line, if you supply the pictures and basic story line, you can publish your own family story.
\n6)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Plan a family or grandchildren\u2019s Christmas party.\u00a0 Prepare fancy invitations to be mailed; games and activities, take the entire year to plan, collect items needed and make it a special yearly event.
\n7)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Grow a garden, buy at the Farmer\u2019s Market, or pick at various orchards and farms and can, freeze, dry, and store your produce.\u00a0 These make great gifts, especially with homemade breads, or a complete dinner package.
\n8)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Learn a new hobby this year: knitting, photography, writing, something that can be shared.\u00a0 Make all of your Christmas presents using this new skill.
\n9)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Clean out your home all year long:\u00a0 books, clothes, furniture, appliances, etc.\u00a0 Give found items as gifts, or donate them in the Fall to DI or a charity organization, when they tend to be most needed.\u00a0 You can get a great tax deduction while you\u2019re at it.\u00a0
\n10)\u00a0\u00a0 Spend a year collecting and organizing all of your tips, tricks, and shortcuts about what you\u2019ve learned in life:\u00a0 Household, marriage, psychology, finding happiness, gospel, hobbies, etc.\u00a0 Bind and give to your children, or anyone else who might be interested.
\n11)\u00a0\u00a0 Hold a family event in the summer with a specific theme:\u00a0 Olympics, Pioneer Trek, Scripture Stories, Roughing It, Vacation, etc.\u00a0 Interview participants before, during, and after.\u00a0 Record everything, make a DVD, and share with family.
\n12)\u00a0\u00a0 Spend the year writing your life history or organize your best family photos and make copies for everyone.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It\u2019s never too early to think of Christmas.\u00a0 Am I the only one who thinks that way?\u00a0 Granted, I am not one of those who has the shopping all done and wrapped before Thanksgiving.\u00a0 I\u2019m usually still scrambling around at the last minute still looking for that \u201cperfect gift\u201d, which is hopefully on sale. This […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[119],"class_list":["post-499","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-christmas","tag-yrlonggifts"],"yoast_head":"\n