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Show It's a TTakirW Lift oc home video is a great way to get ioto the spirit holidays or aoy other rime. during the ' Photo album or video montage Tike these old family photos surfed in shoeboxes or stored way bade in thedoset and create a meaningful gift of memories. Organize them any way that suits you, but amsidera this is tout lSlEeme,siiow- ing the reapicnts Lfe in pictures from die early years until now. Marry video companies also can calx a series of photographs and set them to music and graphics of your choosing. Make the music mean something. For example, if your sister walked down the aisle to ParhrlheTs Comm, use that music as a backdrop to a video moorage of her and her family Framed photographs Ji o- - dr Look through your socks of photographs from last year, looking for of your family and friends, lake the best and them enlarged and framed. These are personal, economical, and will be some of the most appreciated gifts evet lock for opportunities For nett years wonderful shots Meaningful books and gift-givin- g, throughout die coming year family reunions, special events to take extra-qxdphotographs of elderly relatives, family pets, or special moments in your loved ones' lives. al I ir Magazine subscriptions Magazine subscriptions are like getting a new gift in the mail each month. Plus, you needn't worry about fit, cole, or style. Most are reasonably priced and cover hundreds of subjects from archaeology to zoos. Cookbooks Consider the recipients lifestyle and interests before choosing a cookbook. Your granfknn, who owns just one saunrpan and a frying pan, probably wouldnt be interested in a gourmet book. Your vegetarian niece most likely would prefer a cookbook. Cookbooks of foreign lands can be especially fun. Novice rtwfr or those who prefer the basics may appreciate the classic guides, Betty Crockers Picture Cook Book, Joy of Cooking, or Fannie Farmer's Boston Cooking-Scho- ol non-me- at jf foul keep forever. family at Christmas, along with the genealogy. Ask at a bookstore for help, or try a search on die Internet. Family trivia game These are as much fun to make up as they are to give. At any family gathering, pass around pencils and paper and have family members think up facts from the past that may stump others. These may indude old telephone numbers, street addresses, readier names, per names, old Barnes from high school, favorite games as kids, embarrassing mnmenrs, and so forth. Once you begin it's hard to scope Be sure to write down the results and expand the trivia history next time. Hotel room and dinner What couple wouldnt appreciate a little time with just each other? And the chance to escape riirir daily routine? Give them that valued time with gift certificates to a nke hotel or resort and favorite restaurant. If they have children, add the offer to baby-s- it to your gift, so their night away is worry-fre- e. Cook Book. Those who delight in desserts but ate afraid to try them may want the new Fearless Baking by Elinor Klivans which promises to turn any c. into a Create a family cookbook by gathering treasured famiDress up frietwfi mdbn and put a card inride. ly recipes and copying them into a nice binder or journal. Or print them on rec ipe catds and buy a pretty recipe box. bake-a-pho- videos are gifts bake-a-holi- Mailbox renewal When you know good friends will be away for a few hours, go paint their mailbox in a way they'd like. Or replace and denied old mailbox with a new one and slap a worn-oa nice red ribbon on the side. ut Stationery and stamps Older friends or family members, who can be a challenge to buy for, usually don't need anocher set of handkerchiefs or picture puzzles. What they would like is a little convenience. Choose appropriate srarintiety and indude a book or two of stamps, saving them a little cash and a trip to the post office. They will appreciate such thoughtfulness. Family genealogy Most any family would love a genealogy. These can take rime and determination, but the results are wondrous especially if the pages include not only names, but old photos or descriptions of whar life was like at various times in die family past. The brother of one man in our office journeyed to Norway to bring back a warercokr painting of the family farm, prints of which he gave to die extended Your time Nothing can be bought or made that compares with simply pending rime with someone. Reject the holiday tush and, instead, spend that rime in meaningful ways with those you love most Take a winter walk with your spouse; encourage stories of the good old days" from elderly friends or relatives; do something fun with your children. Those memories will last far longer than most presents. The love and care you take with your loved ones means everything, costs nothing, and always will be treasured, w The Christmas gifts most cherished by Carol Dates, national editor of American Profile, art a quilt made by her mother and a wooden quilt rack built by her father. 19th-centu- ry American Profile Page 7 |