How to Give a Keepsake Christmas Present for Mom

How do we get mom a Christmas present that says I love you and thank you and everything else we want her to know? Try giving her a Keepsake Christmas present that will bless her socks off.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Scrapbook
• Memorabilia
• A little time

1. Go scavenging. All the kids and grandchildren can take part in this gift or you can do it by yourself. Both ways are wonderful. The theme of your present can be "Things my Mother Taught Me" or "My (our) Wonderful Life with Mom."

2. Set a realistic time frame. Think about how much time you have realistically. Don't undertake a huge project that you can't complete. If you have to simplify things, it will still be wonderful.

3. Now find lots of photos, recipes, and other memorabilia such as ticket stubs, report cards, cards, postcards, and so on. Start now and throw everything you find into a box. Photos of special occasion - an Easter with new clothes - and write something sweet under it like 'all dolled up' or 'my mom - the real Easter Bunny who taught me how to dress up.' Look for pictures of holidays, graduations, Halloweens and times when you were doing things together. Add some recipes that mom has given you, or some directions for a craft project she taught you.

4. Find your 'momisms.'Think a little bit about life with your mom. Does she have any pieces of advice that you've heard over and over? Such as always have money for a phone call home or always wear clean underwear in case you get into an accident. Some others may be 'go to bed or Santa won't come' or 'wash your ears so you don't grow potatoes in there.' I'm not making that last one up though I must admit it was something my dad said.

5. Think about any special heart to heart talks you had with your mom. How about 'Remember THE TALK about boys--you were more nervous than I was.' Talks on how to drive, put on lipstick, make up with your best friend and whatever special talks you remember will work.

6. Remember the things you did together. Did you bake, sew, watch all of a certain kind of TV show (my mom and I became addicted to TV detective shows while I was in junior high) or go shopping together? Do you swap books you like or craft patterns? Think of the things mom taught you to appreciate. Do you love music, the beach, museums, state fairs, nature walks because your mom exposed you to those things? Write down all the things you can think of. Remember to add touches of humor. Every family has funny stories. Write them down.

7. Scavenge for decorations. There are always things most of us have hanging around...a tuft of Easter grass would look great with an Easter picture and a note about remember the Easter when...Use Christmas wrapping paper for those yule tide photos. Yarn, ribbon, fabric scraps, and colored paper all decorate nicely. Use colored markers to write with - put some of the comments on bits of index cards and put the most special ones inside blank greeting or note cards.

8. Remember the mementos. Copy birth certificates, letter of acceptance to college, wedding invitations and other special things. Add cards that she sent you, ticket stubs from a movie you saw together. Being a pack rat helps here but this doesn't have to be huge to make an impact.

9. Take a look at everything you have. Now go and buy a scrapbook that will fit your project. Everything doesn't have to go in it if you're short on time. Buy a scrapbook that pages can be added to later on and you can make a page or two for other occasions.

10. Wrap it up. Give it to mom and have a box of tissues ready!

[susu7]

on 11/15/2007 Hi coachmac4,
Thank you for your kind words. I think this would overwhelm anyone! God bless, sheila

[coachmac4]

on 11/15/2007 My daughter did this for me and I was overwhelmed. Good article!