Creative Gift Giving - Framed Scrapbook Page

With the holiday season right around the corner, many people are probably beginning to wonder what they are going to be giving to all of their loved ones. Sure, you could brave the crowds on "Black Friday" in search of that one must have item, but would it not be more thoughtful and carry more meaning (not to mention the fact probably safer, if you have ever seen the crowds the day after Thanksgiving) to give them some hand crafted item. More than likely, it won't be as shiny as a new watch or as expensive as a new television, but the recipient of your gift will know that you were thinking of them when you made it.

One gift that I have given to various friends and family members over the years has been a framed scrapbook page. This gift is one that won't break your budget and it is something that is really personal. Another positive aspect of this gift is that you do not have to be overtly crafty to create a page, nor do you have to have extensive knowledge or supplies.

In order to get started on this project you will probably have to stop by your local craft store to pick up some items (Quick Tip: if you happen to have one of the larger chain craft stores in your area, you might be able to get a coupon by either checking your local newspaper or going to their website online). If you are already a veteran "scrapbooker," you will probably already have everything at home, but if you are new to the craft, you're in luck, because most craft stores, and even some of the larger department stores carry ready made pages, all you do is add the photo. These are generally what I tend to use for the project, mainly because I am not having to continue with one color or one theme throughout an entire album. It is also very handy if you are not that crafty, or just not comfortable designing your own layout.

One of the most obvious items you will need for your page is, of course, pictures. As my own personal rule, I normally use three pictures per page (normally two pictures with people and one picture of location, like scenery or a building, something sigificant and relevant to the page). If I am giving this to a friend, I normally try to make sure that the picture(s) contains both of us, I would never want to give a friend just a page with me on it and expect them to display it in his or her house. However, in opposition to that, if I am giving it to a family member, a grandparent for example, I make sure that all the grandchildren are represented on the page.

Generally, after your page is assembled all that is left is to frame, to wrap, and to give it. More than likely, whoever receives this gift is going to be thrilled that you took the time personally make something, rather than simply going into a store and picking something off the shelf.
One of the greatest features of this gift, is that you can add to it each year or at birthdays and other special occasions. For the next holiday, all you do is to simply create another page and give them a scrapbook along with it. They can just remove the previous page from the frame and place it into the scrapbook and hang the new page. For me and my family, this has really become a fun tradition; and it is something that your loved ones can keep and treasure for a long time.