I am planning to make each interested family member an expandable family history book by using a 3 ring binder. This way I can add pages as I get more information. Included in this history will be a family tree and a report with notes generated by my genealogy program, and copies of interesting family records and ancestor pictures. For the computer connected, a disk with the information will be included with the binder. To spruce it up, I am planning a trip to an office supply store for clear plastic sleeves, pocket dividers, etc.
As the family genealogist, you have become the repository of information, old photographs, family stories, and records that can be turned into unique family gifts, whatever your budget. Here are some Ideas:
1. For framing, make photographic copies of ancestor pictures.
2. Get color copies at a copy shop of pictures to put in a photograph album or scrapbook. Include a small biography or abbreviated family tree with each picture.
3. Draw a family tree suitable for framing.
4. Use a large frame for a family tree with photographs.
5. Interesting family records, such as immigration papers, can be copied on quality paper- like parchment- for framing.
6. Make a family tree of living relatives, with their addresses, phone numbers and email.
7. Use a calendar program on your computer, or purchase a blank calendar at an office supply store, to make a family calendar of birthdays and anniversaries.
8. Make a book, binder or scrapbook of the family stories you have gathered.
9. Take the family tree or an ancestor picture to a service that copies them onto tee shirts or coffee cups.
This is only a small list. Your gifts are limited only by your budget and imagination. A genealogy gift is what the holidays are all about- family, traditions, sharing and the gift of time.
Following are some sites that will help you generate more gift giving ideas:
Center for Life Stories Preservation, Publishing Family Stories - a site dedicated to the importance of family storytelling
Free graphics to add to your pages:
Genealogy Graphics,by vikimouse
Heartland Graphics, genealogy graphics found under Special Use Graphics
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