Give the Gift of the Craft
by Kimberly Ripley

As writers we possess the ability to give of ourselves in a way that non-writers cannot. Expressions on the written page are sometimes far more eloquent and meaningful than the spoken word. There for a lifetime, their recipient can peruse the words at will, only to put them away for reviewing at another time.

This holiday season, give the gift of the craft with which you have been doubly blessed. The first blessing is for the fulfillment writing brings. And the second blessing is for the joy your writing brings others. Share the gift. It will be worth its weight in gold.

Grandparents would love nothing more than a detailed reminiscence of summers spent with them, walks in the woods, or baking cookies in Grandma's kitchen. So often our elderly relatives wonder if they've mattered at all, and this treasure chest of memories will ascertain these facts for them.

I am making a cookbook of my great-grandmother's recipes, and giving it as a gift to many of my relatives. In addition to the recipes included, stories from childhood memories, holidays spent together, and funny tidbits of information only deemed humorous by my family members will be included. Creating the book will be a breeze. Once written, between my computer and a visit to the local printer, these books can be easily made for about two dollars apiece. I'll use a heavy stock paper, with a heavier stock for the cover. There will be no lamination, so that helps to keep the cost down. What kind of gift could you possibly purchase for two dollars that would hold as deep a meaning as this one?

Something else I'd like to do is create a book of memories for each of my children. Far more detailed than the traditional "baby books" many families keep, these books would describe not only details of my children's lives, but emotions I experienced watching them grow from year to year. These books would undoubtedly become keepsakes passed from generation to generation.

Photographs are easily incorporated into these books as well. Anyone with a computer image scanner can swiftly and efficiently add pictures to their books. Baby pictures, pictures of elementary school friends and teachers, and cherished family pets all would make excellent choices. In my recipe book I will use pictures of my great-grandmother, and pictures of my cousins and I as children. Also included will be my great-grandmother's home, and the wood stove from where so many of her creations originated.

There are countless ways to utilize the art of the craft into creative and cherished Christmas gifts. A little imagination and forethought is all that is required. And as writers, these qualities are a given, aren't they?

Copyright 2003 Kim Ripley. All Rights Reserved.

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