Home For The Holidays: Heirloom Stories Are A Perfect Gift

Selecting the right gift for a special someone is sometimes joyous, sometimes a chore. Give a gift that's free. A gift that no one else could give. A gift of your legacy!

Consider giving to or requesting a very personal, one-of-a-kind gift this year: heirloom stories. A perfect gift for an adult child who has everything. A perfect gift to request from aging parents who don't know what to give.

A daughter knew that the quilt protected in her mother's cedar chest was her great grandmother's. But until her mother recorded the story of the quilt she did not know how dear it really was. The quilt was a wedding present received the day before her newly married great grandparents climbed onto a covered wagon in Pennsylvania to begin their journey westward to Colorado and a new life. Protected and hand carried across the U.S. the quilt bumped for a thousand miles along the Santa Fe Trail with a wagon train. That quilt is now much more cherished.

People forget that they live in their homes with history all around them. Old tools, equipment and machinery have a history all their own. A woman's gloves, hat or shoes describe an era never to be seen again. Most of the stories go untold, leaving generations without the knowledge of an item's uniqueness, history or sentimental value. History lessons and family stories can be integrated, enjoyed & remembered by any age recipient.

Personal belongings and family heirlooms have so much to say. Have yours told their stories yet? They will be welcome and engaging gifts. Here are some ideas to help you tell those heirloom stories:

• Tell them to someone who will act as your scribe.

• Write them down in longhand or on a typewriter or computer.

• Record them on a tape recorder in your own voice.

• Have someone videotape you while you hold an item and tell its story or demonstrate its use.

Even a person with Alzheimer's Disease can often share the stories that others may think are lost. If she can still speak, put an item in her hand, and it may remind her of events or uses, people or places. Ask her questions, and you may get more history than you expected.

Start now to preserve those stories, histories and ways. Give or request a loving legacy for any season or occasion.

About The Author

Linda LaPointe, MRA is an ElderLife Matters coach and author of several products to assist families experiencing aging including the pamphlet, Don't Be a Burden: 100 Tips. Get free articles and information at www.SOSpueblo.com.

sospueblo@yahoo.com

---

Ready for Christmas? Enjoy an Organized Holiday This Year

1. Keep a stack of directions TO your place for... Read More

Gift Shopping Tips for Tight Budgets

Have you seen the prices of greeting cards lately? It... Read More

Camping And The Right Kind Of Tent

Campers all over the globe prefer to use tents in... Read More

Tribute to Dad

Father's Day should not be the only day that we... Read More

Traditional and Modern Anniversary Gifts

Most people know that the 50th wedding anniversary is the... Read More

Tools and Tips for Keeping the Holidays Organized

It's November 1st. You've walked into your favorite store to... Read More

Christmas Shopping Online Might Or Might Not Be For Everyone: This Article Shows How Doing It Onlin

Christmas shopping online is not for you? If you are... Read More

This Mothers Day -- Give The Gift Of Fitness

Do you know a Mom that deserves a special gift... Read More

Survival Kit for the Holidays: Grace, Gratitude and Random Acts Of Kindness

If you*re like me, the holidays always have a way... Read More

Traditional VS. Modern Anniversary Gifts

Most people are familiar with the traditional materials list that... Read More

Holiday Health: Give Get-Fit Gifts

'Tis the season to celebrate -- and a time to... Read More

Consider the Egg

The glorious egg, with its deep links to Creation mythology,... Read More

Birthday Gift Baskets ? The Ideal Gift For Everyone!

No matter how old we are, we enjoy being remembered... Read More

Cheap Christmas Gift Ideas

Now that the biggest shopping season of the year is... Read More

I Just Love It!

"I Just Love It!"You know the scenario. You're sitting at... Read More

Scary halloween Masks

There are countless Halloween masks available today. At Halloween specialty... Read More

Funny Couples Costume Ideas For Halloween

Tired of the same old typical Halloween costumes. You know... Read More

How to Reduce Your Stress this Christmas

In theory Christmas is a time that is filled with... Read More

It?s Time to Start Thinking about Mothers Day

Mother's Day is approaching fast. This year it falls on... Read More

5 Tips to Reduce Holiday Depression

As the holidays approach each year, more and more people... Read More

Find Great Halloween Costume Ideas! Have The Most Creative Costumes This Year

Usually, the hardest part about Halloween is finding the perfect... Read More

Holiday Survival Guide

The Holiday season has officially begun and Christmas is almost... Read More

Christmas Gift Guide

Christmas is a magical time of year, both for kids... Read More

Planning a Spectacular Christmas Party

The holiday season is typically filled with large fancy parties,... Read More

A Mothers Day Prayer! Mamma Whispered Softly!

Patty Lovelace Country MusicVerse #1 Through the back window of... Read More

Fun, Fireworks, & Flowers!

The 4th of July is a time for celebrating Freedom!... Read More

10 Tips for More Meaningful Holidays

No matter how many lists you make, cards you send,... Read More

Lets NOT Talk Turkey

The carving. The leftovers. The endless stuffing. Actually, you love... Read More

What Are And How To Use Free Ecard and Free Ecards

You can consider free ecards as being the same thing... Read More

5 Tips to Reduce Holiday Depression

While war and poor economic conditions begin to affect people... Read More

Inexpensive Christmas Stocking Stuffer Ideas For Kids

After all the gifts have been purchased and placed under... Read More

The Origins of Mothers Day

Most people mistakenly believe that Mother's Day is an invention... Read More

Bathed in Blue - Love Can Happen for You

Whether you know him by Eros or Cupid, this son... Read More