A Gift Guide That Will Help You Make Lasting Memories

2020 has definitely been an extremely challenging year full of changes. Most families have been spending way more time in the house, yet because of technology they may not be actually interacting as much as they could be. So my gift guide focuses on getting the family to enjoy spending time together in a creative way.

Micheal’s and Etsy.com have great products that can help you complete any project. Rather you prefer online shopping or visiting an actual store close to your house Micheal’s never disappoints. I am going to share with you a few of my very favorite projects that would make great gifts for everyone in the family.

Making A Vision Board together as a family.

This is a wonderful way to get to know each other. To set goals together for the new year, and to give everyone in the family something to look forward to. Also a great addition to this gift would be to plan a family vacation together. Booking.com has great deals and can help make planning a whole lot easier. If the family is new to making vision boards, there are several great videos to watch on YouTube.com one example is; https://youtu.be/pDhpFXa1jf Knowing that this is going to be given as a gift, you will be purchasing all the supplies beforehand. Then place them in a wrapped box or bag so it can be opened. Micheal's has great boxes that you can actually paint or color with markers as a family activity.

Create a Game with the whole family.

Rather you like board games, card games, domino games, or bingo games. Micheal’s craft store has supplies for you to create any kind of game for under 25.00. DIY videos are available on Youtube.com that will teach you how to make a board game. Here is an example: https://youtu.be/k2EuDpt2p6c I personally like the idea of making an affirmation game. So that every time you land on the spaces or draw a card you read or learn a different positive phrase that will stay in your mind throughout the day. It makes a person feel good, and fills them with inspiration which is great for keeping a positive attitude, and improving children’s behavior. If you chose a card game, you could buy a pack of index cards without the lines, or even in different colors. Pass out an even amount of cards to every family member, have them write about a different situation, or a favorite quote they memorized to make sure each card is different. When you are finished place all the cards in a pile face down. Take turns drawing a card and reading what has been written. If it is a situation the reader has to explain what they would do if they were placed in that difficult situation and how they would feel. If it’s the quote game, the reader has to try and guess who picked that quote and why they like it. When it comes to the domino game, which is so fun to play as a family or even a couple. Choose six different things to do. For example: hug, say, I love you, give a compliment, challange, tell the truth, and a blank side. Instead of counting by fives to score. In a game like this you would only have to do whatever a card says if both ends are the same, like hug with a challenge on one side and challenge and a blank on the other. A challenge could be like seeing who can rub their tummy and pat their head at the same time for the longest. Here is an example of a child’s domino game; https://youtu.be/j34kkSMyVm4 this video at least helps you see how to make the actual dominoes. You can always put anything on them and make up your own rules together as a family.

When it comes to making a present for grandparents you can always make a bingo game together with them. It does not have to be a typical A10, B35 game. You can be creative and put anything you want on your board, such as funny pictures of you with your family. The caller will say the person's name and something they are doing, for example; Joey with cake on his face, Joey swimming like a frog, or grandma and grandpa dressed like a raindeer.

Start scrapbooking as a family.

When it comes to scrapbooking you can purchase kits off of Etsy.com online, or you can buy everything individually from Micheal’s. You will need to choose a large photo book, as for the rest it is up to you. Stickers are great, colorful alphabets make adding names or places you have been to fun. Decorative paper is also nice, with adhesive strips to make everything stay together. Once you have purchased all your supplies you could get a plastic keepsake box so that your book is protected from water damage. The box can also serve as a way to give your scrapbook and supplies as a gift. There are many videos on YouTube.com that can walk you through the basics step by step. Here is an example: https://youtu.be/oL_alVg2N-M One of the best parts of scrapbooking is planning activities and taking pictures so you can have material to put in your book. Great way to make new memories!

Write a book together.

Etsy.com has awesome digital downloadables that are really affordable. The digitals help everyone in the family learn about everything that goes into writing a book step by step. From developing characters to novel plotting. My children are crazy about comics and are always drawing little pictures on their homework so this makes a great gift for them.

Create A Coupon book

A coupon book might be an old idea, but it is still a great one. Everyone in the family can put together their own coupon books to give to one another. A parent could have one of the redeemable activities, an online art class that they can do with their children. The actual gift box or bag would be filled with colored paper, colored markers, a stapler, pencils, pens, and ideas. The more ideas that can be a photo opportunity the better. That way the family will have plenty of pictures for scrapbooking.

When it comes to gifts most of the time we get gifts we end up returning to the store or regifting later. However, giving someone your attention and time where you are actually fully present, smiling, laughing and grateful to be together. Is a priceless present and so worth it.