I've recycled my previous years' seasonal posts with some gift ideas for the genealogist in your life, plus a new postscript for 2022.
It’s approaching the time of year when “What can I buy X for Christmas?” becomes the most pressing question. If your nearest and dearest happen to be into family history, I have some gift ideas that don’t (a) include a DNA kit or (b) cost a fortune. Homemade, personalised presents are the most thoughtful of all, I reckon. And the gift of heritage is hard to put a price on. Here are my suggestions:
A framed family tree. There are many ways to present this; if you have a steady hand and good penmanship (or a decent Italic pen), your costs can be limited to finding a suitable frame and paper – both available at budget stores. Or your local charity shop might have some pictures for sale whose frames can be re-used.
A framed family tree. There are many ways to present this; if you have a steady hand and good penmanship (or a decent Italic pen), your costs can be limited to finding a suitable frame and paper – both available at budget stores. Or your local charity shop might have some pictures for sale whose frames can be re-used.
FamilySearch lets you create keepsakes by freely printing out your tree, in a range of attractive formats.
Photographs. Compile an album for an older relative to prompt memories, and perhaps some heart-warming recollections too. Frame any number of photographs to make a conversation piece for the hall, stairway, or living room – either in a collage frame or individually.
This Is Your Life. The photo album idea could be taken a stage further to include mementos such as programmes, letters, postcards, certificates and so on, forming a record of the recipient’s life. An appropriate presentation ceremony would add to the occasion!
A Gift For My Grandchild. Although these types of books are available commercially, a homemade version would be something to cherish. Starting with the grandparent, it can tell the story of how the family has grown to include the grandchild. Make it even more personal with lists of favourite music, books, food etc., and include blank pages for the child to add their own artwork and memories. You can find plenty of inspiration online for creating a unique family keepsake.
Keeping A Diary. Generic notebooks can be transformed into the gift of a personal journal, diary or travel log – or you can buy ready-made ones quite cheaply. Personalise the book by adding a photograph or the recipient’s name or initials to the cover. To get them started with their writing, include a journal jar in the gift. Any decent-sized jam jar can be transformed with ribbon or other embellishments. Write “prompts” on small slips of coloured paper to put in the jar. These can be questions such as “What did you most enjoy about today?” or ideas like “Write a description of your garden”.
This idea might also be applied to someone writing their own life history. Again, there is no shortage of suggestions on the internet; just search for “journal jar”.
Give Them Their Story. This may require a bit of pre-planning, and co-operation from your relative, but it can be very worthwhile for the giver too. Over a number of occasions, chat to the intended recipient about their life, using photographs or other memory-joggers, and (with their permission, naturally) record their recollections. This could be on paper, if your shorthand’s up to it, on audio or video recording. Follow up by transcribing the conversation and then typing it up, printing out and compiling a book(let). Add photos as above, bind in a folder, and gift-wrap. Or, if you have good video editing skills, compile a customised recording of your relative's life story and save it on DVD to present to family members.
Photographs. Compile an album for an older relative to prompt memories, and perhaps some heart-warming recollections too. Frame any number of photographs to make a conversation piece for the hall, stairway, or living room – either in a collage frame or individually.
This Is Your Life. The photo album idea could be taken a stage further to include mementos such as programmes, letters, postcards, certificates and so on, forming a record of the recipient’s life. An appropriate presentation ceremony would add to the occasion!
Frame an heirloom. This isn’t as unlikely as it sounds. Medals are an obvious choice, and can be combined with photographs. These could be military or sports awards; my father's army photograph and World War 2 medals hold pride of place in my home. Other heirlooms might include a wedding favour, a piece of fabric with a special meaning, or even an item of jewellery.
A Gift For My Grandchild. Although these types of books are available commercially, a homemade version would be something to cherish. Starting with the grandparent, it can tell the story of how the family has grown to include the grandchild. Make it even more personal with lists of favourite music, books, food etc., and include blank pages for the child to add their own artwork and memories. You can find plenty of inspiration online for creating a unique family keepsake.
Keeping A Diary. Generic notebooks can be transformed into the gift of a personal journal, diary or travel log – or you can buy ready-made ones quite cheaply. Personalise the book by adding a photograph or the recipient’s name or initials to the cover. To get them started with their writing, include a journal jar in the gift. Any decent-sized jam jar can be transformed with ribbon or other embellishments. Write “prompts” on small slips of coloured paper to put in the jar. These can be questions such as “What did you most enjoy about today?” or ideas like “Write a description of your garden”.
This idea might also be applied to someone writing their own life history. Again, there is no shortage of suggestions on the internet; just search for “journal jar”.
Give Them Their Story. This may require a bit of pre-planning, and co-operation from your relative, but it can be very worthwhile for the giver too. Over a number of occasions, chat to the intended recipient about their life, using photographs or other memory-joggers, and (with their permission, naturally) record their recollections. This could be on paper, if your shorthand’s up to it, on audio or video recording. Follow up by transcribing the conversation and then typing it up, printing out and compiling a book(let). Add photos as above, bind in a folder, and gift-wrap. Or, if you have good video editing skills, compile a customised recording of your relative's life story and save it on DVD to present to family members.
As a prelude to Christmas, I’d like to finish with this video by Martin Lewis which, if you’ve not seen before (or even if you have), I would urge you to watch. Being frugal isn’t just about saving money, it’s about peace of mind, and what says more about Christmas than peace on earth?
2022 Postscript: And this year, I've chosen to give to charity in place of Christmas presents to friends. Having recently received successful treatment for breast cancer, I'll be making my donation to Breast Cancer UK and would like to invite you to do the same, if you feel you can.
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