| Of course you're thinking of Christmas gifts in | | | | particular year or a specific happening, such as |
| August, aren't you? Well, I don't usually, but this | | | | holidays, summer vacations, clothes, education, |
| year I am because I want to tell you about a | | | | etc. |
| wonderful idea for a gift to your family, but this | | | | The topic could even be general and everyone |
| one you have to start early. | | | | gets to ask questions: What kinds of clothes did |
| Present them with a family memoir. A memoir is | | | | you wear? What was a favorite activity? What |
| like a biography or autobiography. It's a way for | | | | were favorite meals, drinks, desserts, snacks, |
| family members to get to know their siblings and | | | | picnics? What kind of school did you attend? What |
| their ancestors and to pass along stories behind | | | | kind of toys did you have and what were your |
| the stories such as why "the plates are cold." | | | | favorites? Where did you go for vacation and |
| I had an opportunity to live with my maternal | | | | what was your favorite? What were some of |
| grandmother for a short time just before she | | | | the family traditions for the holidays? Did you play |
| passed away. She was anxious to talk and she | | | | tricks on each other and what was the worst |
| was probably thinking a lot about her youth. I | | | | that my parent did? |
| regret, now, that I wasn't more attentive to her | | | | Once the recording is finished, it is easy and |
| and asked her more probing questions. I wish I | | | | inexpensive to duplicate as many copies as |
| had recorded what she had to say. | | | | needed. Have the audio transcribed and copies of |
| The same is true of my mother and of the many | | | | the audio and transcription can be given to each |
| members of the rest of my family. | | | | of the family members. The only costs other |
| So for Christmas this year, why not give a gift | | | | than the long-distance phone charges, would be |
| that the whole family can enjoy for generations? | | | | the cost to duplicate the CDs, the cost to |
| Give the gift of memories. | | | | transcribe the audio, the cost to print the |
| You can do this by having the extended family | | | | transcription, and the cost of a host if you use a |
| share their recollections, no matter in what part | | | | host. It would be good to include some family |
| of the country they reside. There are many | | | | photos provided by those who participate. |
| ways this could be done. This is only an idea for | | | | This same gift idea can be used for other |
| one, very easy way and might help to get your | | | | occasions and given to friends, neighbors, |
| creative juices flowing. | | | | co-workers, a gift to expectant parents. Use the |
| Have a family teleconference and have it | | | | idea for weddings, class reunions, family reunions, |
| recorded, then transcribed. Using one of the many | | | | anniversaries, graduations, significant birthdays. |
| free conferencing services, the conference itself | | | | Gather a group together to reminisce about a |
| would be free except for long distance charges | | | | person who is having a significant birthday (like |
| incurred by the callers. The recording can even be | | | | one of those that ends in a zero or a 5). |
| done free. | | | | Use the idea to plan an event, such as family |
| Designate a host. It could be a member of the | | | | reunions or holiday dinners. |
| family or it could be an outsider who would be | | | | I once did a transcription for a company which |
| primed with questions to lead the family members | | | | was morphing drastically from its beginnings and |
| in an agreed-upon direction. | | | | some of the original personnel were getting older. |
| For example, have an older sibling of your parent | | | | In this case, instead of using the telephone, they |
| as the authority or guest, then have your cousins | | | | got together and reminisced about what it had |
| and other members of the extended family | | | | been like to be a part of a "baby" company and |
| participate in the teleconference. You might even | | | | to see it grow into a successful giant. |
| want to invite an old family friend who could | | | | So, it's the end of August and you don't usually |
| contribute. | | | | think of Christmas gifts? Perhaps these ideas will |
| Agree upon a topic. It might be what was my | | | | get you to thinking and you can start planning for |
| mother/father like when you were children? Was | | | | the family Christmas gift now. |
| my parent easy to get along with? Or pick a | | | | |