Writing as a Gift

With Christmas around the corner, I find myself once again faced with the annual challenge of finding 'that right gift'. To me, a gift should reach out and touch the heart of the receiver with special Christmas magic.  It's not something carefully marketed and picked from the overstocked store shelves of commercialism, but rather, the perfect gift should be an extension of me and represent my love for the receiver.

In past years I have enlisted my cooking skills by baking and canning goods, wrapping them in decorative cellophane clad baskets or mailing my tasty treats in form of a care package.  Cooking is a wonderful way to share a little piece of my love but once devoured, the cheer is gone.  So, I've switched to what I do best.

By combining my love of writing with my passion for photography, I create photo books. Years ago, I started using a website called Snapfish.  It is affordable and user friendly.  It offers hundreds of styles, templates and ideas so you can make your book as customized or simple as you desire. I have, however, stopped using Snapfish because a fellow photographer turned me on to Shutterfly.

Shutterfly is a bit more pricey than Snapfish but the quality is superior.  The images have a better resolution and the books are bound better.

This time of year both sites offer awesome discounts.  Snapfish has even offered buy one get two free; so if you're feeling thrifty, check out their deals.  If price is no object, I'd recommend, Shutterfly. If I'm going to go through all the hassle, then I want my book to last.

Christmas ornaments can also be made from both websites.  I've used both Shutterfly and Snapfish as well as another website.  I have been pleased with all of the creations and will continue to use which ever site offers the best price or convenience.  Making photo ornaments is a tradition I will continue.  We had so much fun decorating the tree with special moments captured from years past.

Photo books are the gift that keeps giving.  All too often I spy my love ones flipping through the books, caught with a smile as they relive the warmth and memories each page contains and I too am filled with happiness.