For my birthday, my son and his wife gave me a one-of-a-kind typed book, printed on pretty paper and tied with ribbon. It was titled “Things We Love about Diane.”
It listed personality traits, things I’d taught my son and done for and with him as he grew up, and things I’d helped both of them with. Many items mentioned funny memories from my son’s childhood.
Some of the entries included:
-Good listener
-Generous with time and money
-Can laugh at herself (and it went on to relate an embarrassing story of a dumb thing I did at work that we still laugh about!)
-Thoughtful
-Always optimistic
-Cooks way better than she used to (don’t need to explain that one!)
-Good conversationalist
-Hard worker
-Always a good sport about losing in Jeopardy (he’s been beating me since he was 10, but I still keep competing with him…)
-Listened to me talk about Pokemon way longer than anyone else would (all I remember is falling asleep as we went over the names of about a million different Pokemon characters every night after dinner for months during his “Pokemon stage”)
-Always would play baseball with me (we did that every night after dinner for years until I had to wear an umpire mask over my face and a women’s chest protector so I wouldn’t get a “send-you-to-the-hospital” injury when he was bigger than I was)
-Always came to my sports events
-Taught me to drive
-Really awesome wedding planner (I planned and hosted their wedding, then wrote a book about it)
-Worked at a log of crappy jobs to provide for me (one of them was working for Mr. Charming)
-Always gives great Christmas gifts (big and small)
-Garage sale queen
-Always supported me in everything I did
-Always helped with those last minute school projects at 2 a.m.
-Taught me good organizational skills
-Recorded bedtime stories for me so I would always have them (and it was kind of freaky to sit downstairs after he went to bed and hear my own voice coming from upstairs as he listened to the taped stories)
-Let me grow up
-Helped us move
-Helps us get the taxes done
-Gives good hugs
-Gave me my first car
-Lets us use her house as a hotel
-Forgives me for my mistakes
-Hid Easter eggs for me until I was 23
-Taught me the value of education (my son is working on his Ph.D.)
-Took a lot of pictures when I was a kid, which I didn’t like then but do now
-Always kept the house so well decorated (so many flags!)
-Adopted E (wife’s name) as her daughter
-Sees the good in other people
-Taught me to love reading
-Passed on the good IQ genes (always told him I’d read that a son inherits his IQ from his mother!)
-Took me on lots of cool vacations
-Always put my happiness before her own
—-
The book arrived in the mail and I laughed…and I cried…with joy… alternating back and forth as I read each item. If a neighbor had looked in the window, he or she would’ve thought I was crazy!
This extremely thoughtful present was absolutely the best gift ever. I pick it up and re-read it often.
If you want to give an unforgettable gift to someone you love, I’d recommend creating a book like this.
You can even get items for a list from your siblings, children, nieces and nephews and make a joint gift for your parents on a milestone anniversary. I guarantee anyone who receives this thoughtful gift will love it!
***
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Great idea. I really want to get my friend a good gift.
Judy Charlotte recently posted…The Adrenal Fatigue Formula + Special Bonuses – $39.95
What a darling and amazing gift. thanks for sharing!
Carolann recently posted…Sunday’s Sassy Selections
How awesome! My emotions would have been jumping all around, too. That is a wonderful idea — especially for a mom! Popping by from Pig and Dac! 🙂
Erin
http://www.itallmattersmom.com
What a lovely idea and so sweet! I am a near neighbor at Friendship Friday
Hazel Moon recently posted…Running Out of Gas
I love making gift cards, they mean so much more!! Love the ribbons on the side!!
Karren Haller recently posted…Friday Features Linky Party
What a special gift! That would so totally delight me to get a gift like that. Fantastic 🙂
I made a special gift at an online photo book-making site for my mom after we took her on a trip with us. She passed away, and I have it now. It had meant so much to her.
Marcy recently posted…What I Ate in Thailand: The Best Food in the World
This is such a thoughtful gift! No wonder you were thrilled 🙂
Shailaja/ The Moving Quill recently posted…Let that Laundry Pile Up
What a delightful, thoughtful gift! You’ve clearly done a wonderful job parenting (and mother-in-lawing).
I love this idea. So much nicer than the gift cards I typically give my parents.
That is incredibly thoughtful and sweet!
TriGirl recently posted…OOFOS OOAHHS
I did this a few years ago for my dad who kept saying he didn’t want or need anything. I included pictures to go along with the topic on each page. He loved it, and now that he’s gone I enjoy looking back at it and remembering not only those times but what it meant to both of us to share it.
This is such a wonderful gift full of good thoughts and happy memories.
You’re right – it definitely is!
Passed on the good IQ!!! Lol. I adore this gift idea. I think I will make one for each of my children for Christmas. Everyone needs to hear their value; especially from the people who love them.
Thank you for sharing at the #SHINEbloghop.
Have a great weekend.
xoxo
Tamm
Tammi recently posted…Photo Friday Nature
What a thoughtful and precious gift, Diane! Thanks so much for sharing this idea with us. We haven’t had the extra money lately to spend on gifts, so this is a wonderful alternative. I’m pinning it to my gifts board. Thanks, again.
Heather @ My Overflowing Cup recently posted…Shining Light In The Darkness – 31 Scripture Verses
Thank you! I think anyone you give it to will love it. It’s something money can’t buy.
Great gift to give. Thanks for sharing at Monday Handmade Linkup party. You are our featured blogger for this week. 🙂
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Judy,
Thank you so very much!! I’ll add the info about your blog to my “Featured on” page. Really appreciate it!
What a wonderful gift. So creative and thoughtful and a gift that keeps on giving. How amazing is that? I’m sure so many people would love to have one of these. I can think of a few people I would love to do this for, so thank you for the idea.
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