With Mother’s Day just around the corner, you may be getting frantic wondering what it the world you are going to get the Mom in your life. Many of us have switched to digital photography, so we display our pictures in digital frames or as screen savers on our computers. Add to that the art of scrapbooking and I started wondering if photo albums were going to become obsolete.
However, I found a great idea earlier this week, and that got me thinking about the various ways to use a photo album. Some of the uses could become cherished gifts for a special person in your life.
1. Recipe Book - write some of your favorite recipes on beautiful cards and slide them into the photo slots. Stck the rest of the cards on top, tie it with a ribbon, and your gift is ready to give. One of the reasons I like photo album recipe holders is that splatters on the pages are easily wiped clean.
2. Business Card Holder - All of us receive business cards, and most of the time we don’t know what to do with them. A photo album is a great place to keep them. Assign catagories with stickers or permanent marker and all of those important phone numbers and addresses are easily accessible.
3. Photos - I know it’s obvious!! However, Moms and especially Grandmas still love that book to hold and flip through at their leisure. I have to tell you that as a Gram, I can’t get too many pics of my grandson.
4. Tip and Idea Book - I love to look through magazines. It is my favorite way to relax in the evening. For me the best part is tearing out helpful tips, ideas, decorating suggestions and pictures, recipes, etc. A photo album is a great place to slide these bits of information. I tend to stack the torn pages and lose track of them; however, an album for different needs like gardening, housecleaning, decorating, or fashion would make me much more organized. I’m going to make this my next project!
5. I Love You Book - This is my favorite one of all! Pull out beautiful paper or cards, grab your stickers, markers, and stamps and write little messages of encouragement. This is a great one for the kids to do! Little notes of one sentence each that say - this is something I love about you, or thanks for the way you do that, become a gift to be treasured always. I mean really why should the card companies have all of the fun!! By the way, don’t forget to add a photo or two.
Okay, this is probably just the beginning of ideas. What would you do to personalize a photo album and make it a cherished gift for any special occassion.
To all of you Moms, enjoy a wonderful relaxing Mother’s Day - you deserve it!
1. As a avid Scrapbooker, and a digital camera challenged person, I’m always finding ways to use all my scrapbooks. Some I got at Home Goods for prices I just couldn’t pass up! I too use one for items I tear out of magazines. Some recipes, articles etc. I find if I only go through the magazine or paper once, it saves time and space. I just recycle the magazine after I have gone through it once. I also like to use the small photo albums to put the pictures that I am currently scraping with that project. It’s much faster to flip through the pictures that way then by laying them out. Plus I just keep that photo album with the project and don’t waste time trying to find all the pictures that go with it. Since I almost always print doubles of all my family pictures, I keep a photo album for each member and when I get a really great picture I put it in their book. I LOVE Home Goods !
by Candy — 5/12/09 at 4:45 pm #
2. I use my photo albums for my “trips down memory lane”. My oldest grandchild is 28 and has her own family. I made an album of her photos from the those in my books (I had slews) and presented it to her. She was elated. I plan to do the same for the other grands.
by Jennie — 5/13/09 at 4:02 pm #
3. It’s always great to hear from another HomeGoods fan! Candy - thanks for adding your wonderful suggestions. I have attended a couple of Scrapbooking events and I am always overwhelmed as I spread my photos on every available inch of space. Taking them in small albums would make it so much easier. As a newer Gram, it’s always important to have my brag book ready to share, too! Scrapbooking has many supplies and materials which are easy to get our of control. Your idea is great! Thanks!!
by Deb — 5/13/09 at 5:12 pm #
4. Jennie, What a thoughtful Grandma you are!! Those memory trips are so much fun, and now you have blessed your granddaughter with the sweet message of how much you have enjoyed watching her grow into a beautiful young woman. Thanks for your wonderful thoughts. Enjoy those grands!!
by Deb — 5/14/09 at 10:59 am #
5. Help!!!! I need some suggestions on what to do in my dining room. My husband has taken over the area with a laptop, files, papers etc… he had a desk in the basement, yes the basement was finished but now that he has a lap top and can move around he is always in the dining room along with all his stuff. Any suggestions on how to either move him out or utilize this area as a so called office too?
by Lisa — 5/16/09 at 11:17 pm #
6. Lisa, I feel your frustration. Dining rooms are notoious for becoming a catch all room. We do projects, the kids do their homework, and mom and dad bring their office work home … and much of it happens in the dining room. I had a problem with things stacking up near the sofa where I sit in the evening. I bought one of those covered boxes, and placed things in there. They come in so many different sizes and designs, and if I need it out of sight it is easy to grab and get out of the way. Another possibility is a portable fiile box/totes. They also come in colors that will coordinate with your decor, and can be stashed at a moments notice. A small art box or craft/tool box will hold pens, pencils, staplers, and other various office needs. I hope these ideas have been of some help. Let us know what you decide.
by Deb — 5/18/09 at 7:00 pm #