Make Your Foray into Digital Scrapbooking Easy with a Starter Project

Scrapbooks have been kept for centuries!  They're not a new tradition or fad.  In fact, scrapbooks pre-date photos!  Once photos came on the scene, scrapbooks meant even more because they preserved even more.  

Scrapbooks turned into "scrapbook-ing" in the 1980s and 1990s when scrapbookers added a creative, decorative aspect.  

The 21st century has brought us digital scrapbooking.  Instead of papers, stickers, and scissors (and a lot of space to spread out in), a digital scrapbooker utilizes technology--a computer and computer software--to create books digitally, then submit them for publishing.  

I know some digital scrapbookers keep only digital versions of their work, but print has a lot of benefits that digital doesn't, and photo experts have long maintained print as one of the safest ways to store photos.  So I consider the "digital" part of digital scrapbooking in the creation only, not the finished product.

Your story is worth sharing and preserving (the benefits to the heart and soul are impressive), and photos are the highlights of your life's story.  So let's explore making that entirely doable for you!

If you're considering making the transition from paper scrapbooking to digital scrapbooking, here are some great ideas and reasons to do it (such as a book never needing a full battery in order to give you access to your photos).  

NOTE:  I am a Forever affiliate, called an Ambassador, because I love Forever so much!  This means I make a commission from purchases at my website, and being your Ambassador means I'm here to help you with questions, too.

Making Digital Scrapbooking Easy

Today I'll share with you a brilliant way to make your foray into digital scrapbooking easy:  a starter project.  

There are five things I love about this approach I'm about to share with you:

1. It's a great fit for anyone who doesn't feel very computer-savvy.
2. It's a great fit for anyone who doesn't have a lot of time to spend preserving photos and memories.
3. It's a great fit for anyone concerned about photo privacy.
4. It provides you both a digital (shareable!) version of your book (digital backups are always smart) as well as access to a professional printing service with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.  
5. Once you've completed the starter project, you'll have a taste of an easy way to digitally scrapbook.  From there, you can continue using the simple software platform (free) or you can advance to a more creative and flexible digital scrapbooking software if you prefer.  (In my opinion, this is the piece de resistance!  Finding a digital scrapbooking method that works for you makes it not just doable but enjoyable moving forward.  Fun is what makes it easy.)

There seems to be a false idea out there that preserving photos and memories is hard, is complicated, takes a long time, is only for some people but not for others.  It's simply not true.  Memories aren't just for certain people.  Photos aren't just for some people.  The feel-good benefits that come from photos, memories, stories, and connections are for everyone!

My two biggest tips for making digital scrapbooking easy and doable are:

First, use a template.  It's just faster and easier.  All the templates in the platform I'm showing you here are free, so that's an extra bonus.

Second, set aside some time.  Take some Me Time on a Sunday night or a Saturday morning to spend with your photos and memories.  As soon as you start, it will stop feeling like a chore because you will love it!  I promise.

So let's get you there with a Starter Project.  Right now, just explore the options and don't worry about how to make them.  I'll explain everything!  😊

The Starter Project:  Three Options

When you're trying something new, it's often easier when you first just get your feet wet.  I have three ideas for your Starter Project which will do just that, so choose whichever one sounds most interesting and enjoyable to you.  

I've chosen three projects that you can actually try out for free, too!

I'll give you some instructions on how to do that shortly, as well as a little tutorial video on how to make these items.  You'll love how easy the software is to use!

OPTION 1

This starter project can be done in less than 5 minutes!  This is a set of 4 cork-backed coasters.  Keep it for yourself, or give it as a gift.  Click this link to start the project if it's the one you choose.

You'll choose 3 photos, a quote or sentiment, and a little text with one of the photos.  Easy, peasy.  Really.

OPTION 2

This starter project can be done even quicker than the coasters!  This little magnet has a quote as part of the design, then you just add a photo.  Click this link to start this project if it's the one you choose.    

With magnets, you can choose a 3x4 size or a 4x6 size.  If purple isn't your thing or you'd like a different quote, there are lots of other magnet templates you can choose from here.

OPTION 3

This is a sweet little book called "Remember."  Clink the link to start this project if it's the one you choose.

The "Remember" book has a lot of different page options, each one with a word like "SMILE," "GROW," "SHARE," etc., room for a few pictures, and space for text.  Write down a few of your memories--things you remember--and find some photos you can add in, too.

If finding photos is a little overwhelming for you because you haven't organized them yet, here's an idea:  Go to a local park and take some nice scenery pictures.  This is just a book of your memories, and you're just getting your feet wet making a book.  You can save the photo organization for later if that's easier.  

By the way, my goal here is for your Starter Project to be free if you're new to Forever, but I know there are several options for sizes and bindings available for books.  If you choose the 8x8 softbound book during a 50% off sale, you'll still be able to get it for free!

The How-To:  Instructions

Follow these simple steps to make your Starter Project (hopefully for free!).

1. You'll use the free templates at a simple platform called Create & Print by FOREVER.  First, open your free Forever account here.  
2. Next, check your email for an email from Forever so you can verify your email address.  If you're new to Forever and you verify your email address, you'll be emailed a $20 Welcome Coupon that's good for 60 days.  You'll be able to use it for your Starter Project!
3. Now watch this 5-minute tutorial video about how to use the Create & Print software (formerly called Design & Print).  I like to say that the learning curve for the Create & Print software is almost a straight line!  This allows you to get projects done in a jif.
4. Choose the photos you'd like to use in your project.  Upload them to your Forever Storage (cloud storage for photos and videos).  If you're uploading from your phone, this tutorial video will help.  If you're uploading from your computer, this tutorial video will help.
5. Next, click on whichever Starter Project you've decided on:  the coaster set or the magnet or the "Remember" book.  Make the project!  👊  I'm your Forever Ambassador, so reach out if you have questions.  photoandstorytreasures@gmail.com
6. Once your project is completed, go to the "Deals" tab along the top of the page at the Forever website.  Check to see if your chosen product is on sale.  You should be able to use the $20 coupon to get these items for free if they are 50% off.  Everything is on sale all the time, and sales vary between 35%-50%.  If you want to wait until your item is 50% off, you certainly may.  Whatever the sale is, use the sale code you see there so you'll get the sale price at checkout.
7. Now, go back to your email and get the coupon code for the $20 Welcome!  Apply that $20 Welcome code in your cart as well.  You should have the sale code and the $20 welcome code.  You will pay shipping, but hopefully you're getting your lovely Starter Project for free.

Next Steps

Now that you've gotten your feet wet with the Create & Print software, you're ready to do some digital scrapbooking to preserve your photos and memories!

You can keep on using Create & Print by Forever for travel books, yearbooks, Reasons I Love You books, and much more!  

There are hundreds of templates in Create & Print, and new ones are added all the time.  Old ones are retired periodically, so if you see one you like, snap it up and get started!

And, of course, you have also seen that you can make plenty of photo gifts and home decor using free Create & Print templates, too!

If you love Create & Print, then my work here is done!  😊  Set aside the time, use Create & Print templates, and you're ready to become a regular digital scrapbooker.  I like creating yearbooks every year, and you can find a lot of different designs by typing in "yearbook" into the search bar or just clicking here to explore.  

However, if you liked Create & Print OK but haven't met the love of your digital scrapbooking life, let me introduce you to Artisan digital scrapbooking software by Forever.  

It has many of the DIY elements of traditional paper scrapbooking (like using embellishments and alphabet stickers and "ripping" papers).  There's a LOT of room for flexible pages and for creativity.  You can see the basics at an introductory class I taught a few years ago:

It's my personal favorite because I can do things like this with it, playing with fonts and creating my own pages (whether from scratch or from blueprints) and choosing my own digital art and designs:

If you think you might fall in love with Artisan like I did, you can start a 30-day free trial here and read all the computer system requirements.  (Mac users need a partitioning program.)

What Will You Do?

I love that these options mean there's something for everyone, that you can get it all with both photo privacy and a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and that you can really be your own digital scrapbooking hero!

Tell me--what will you do?  Which of the three Starter Projects will you choose?  Which of the digital scrapbooking options will be Your Thing?  Let me know in the comments.  You're going to love the world of digital scrapbooking, especially with Forever!  

Who do you know who is looking for a simple way to get into digital scrapbooking?
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Start a Photo-Preserving and Memory-Keeping Habit in 10 Minutes a Day

Yes, really.  I'm going to give you some simple directions here to get a handle on your photos--to see, organize, access, preserve, and enjoy them--in just 10 minutes a day.

Find the video version of this post below.  You'll also find a free printable with all this information at the end of the post!

Developing a routine leads to a habit.  Maybe you have heard that a habit can be developed in 21 days or 28 days.  According to the Harvard Business Review, building a habit isn't that cut-and-dried--there actually isn't a certain number of days or repetitions required to develop a habit because there are too many variables.  One variable, they noted, is that it depends on if the habit is fun or not.

For example, I'm very confident that I could start a new habit of eating a Ferrero Rocher chocolate every night preeeeeeetty easily.  They're delicious, it takes no additional work aside from buying them at the grocery store when I'm already there, and it would take me about 15 very enjoyable seconds to complete.

You might think that taking care of your photos is a lot harder than that.  Actually, it isn't.  For 2 reasons.

#1 It's as good as chocolate.  Actually, it's better.  Studies show that spending time with your photos boosts mood 10 times more than our traditional go-to mood boosts of eating, drinking, listening to music, and watching TV or movies.  This same study found that looking at their pictures relaxed people--more than drinking wine and eating chocolate!

So, as I like to say, memory-keeping makes you happier than chocolate.  

Reason #2 that you will find that memory-keeping is an easier habit to build than you probably think is this simple concept:  momentum.  Starting is actually the only hard part.  Because once you get going, you'll be enjoying your photos, remembering good times, and finding that you're having a lot of fun with it.  You'll look forward to it.  And remember with The 10 Minutes Daily Photo Plan I've got for you, you'll be doing all this in manageable bites.  That makes it entirely doable!

NOTE:  I am a Forever affiliate (a decision I made because I love it so much), so you will find affiliate links in this post, from which I earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you.

The 10 Minutes Daily Photo Plan 

This plan will probably take you 5-10 minutes a day--and I'd like to offer you a challenge.  Do this for 6 weeks to help you begin a memory-keeping habit.  See how you feel after 6 weeks.  (And, then--please!--let me know!)

The 10 Minutes Daily Photo Plan is based on this advice from photo experts to preserve your photos in two ways digitally (as files) and one way in print.  The plan also takes advantage of technology that provides you (and me!) with both convenience and quality, all the way around.  More on that shortly, but first:  here's the plan.

SUNDAY:  Cull photos from the previous week.  Delete duplicates, out-of-focus photos, and photos that aren't very important.  Save favorites.

MONDAY:  Upload those photos from the previous week (the ones you just went through yesterday) from your phone or computer to Forever and to your computer/external hard drive.  (More about this in the Using FOREVER section below.)

TUESDAY:  Add tags and descriptions to photos in Forever.

WEDNESDAY:  Find a page/pages in your book to preserve the photos in.  This is only deciding and preparing!  (More about this in the Using FOREVER section below.)

THURSDAY:  Put the photos in the pages, adjusting them as needed.  

FRIDAY:  Add details to the photos.  This is sometimes called journaling or story.  Your memories are what make the photos worth something. 

SATURDAY:  Catch-up! If you didn't finish anything this week, finish it today.  OR set aside an hour or two to follow this same process for older pictures from last year or last month that you haven't preserved yet.

Of course, I'll give you all the details (with tutorial videos, too, if you need them) on how to do each step, but first let's think about how to find 10 minutes every day.

How to Find 10 Minutes 

Sometimes we feel so busy that we aren't sure how we can find an extra 10 minutes in a day.  There are lots of great ideas here for giving yourself more time if you need them.  For now, let's just consider where 10 minutes might be lurking.    

• over lunch--fork in one hand, technology in the other
• first thing in the morning
• while dinner is in the oven
• every evening at a certain time (6:30, 9:00, whatever works best for you)
• 10 minutes less of Facebook/Instagram/TV/etc.

Where else do you think you could find 10 minutes?

Or, how about this similar idea?  If you enjoy a little dessert or coffee after dinner, make that your memory-keeping time, too!

Using FOREVER for Memory-Keeping:  Here's How To...

As I mentioned earlier, we're going to use some technology that's not only convenient but comes with some top-quality print products, unique photo storage guarantees, etc.  So, these are the details behind the seven daily steps above.

"If I just had 60 hours to spend on my photos...."
Guess what!  You do!  10 minutes x 365 = 60 hours a year!

TO CULL (Sunday)

• You don't need anything special for this (unless you need some perspective about downsizing photos--this is a good reference with some tips), so I'll just add:  Remember to cull from both your phone and camera if you take pictures with more than one device.  

TO UPLOAD (Monday)

• Today, save your photos two ways digitally, as experts recommend.  One should be onsite (your house) and the other should be offsite (the cloud).  If both are onsite and there's a disaster--anything from a fire or flood to a computer crash--your photos are sadly gone.  So we'll take care of both digital ways here.  I have an "easy button option" to simplify these two parts as well.
1. Upload them to your computer.  If you need some help with this, this basic article can help and so can the video posted below.  If you prefer, you can save your photos onto an external hard drive if your computer doesn't have enough space.
2. When choosing a cloud service, you'll want guaranteed privacy and security.  Many people don't know that common cloud storage providers including Google, Dropbox, and Shutterfly, reserve rights to your photos and your data (meaning, they can sell them!) and also reserve rights to change their policies at any time (meaning, they can discontinue their services, delete your photos, etc.).  It's best to buy--not rent--your cloud storage (here's why!), so taking all of those things into consideration, you'll want to open your free Forever account there to make sure your photos are safe.  You'll start with 2GB of free cloud storage for your photos and videos, but you can buy more as needed.  You'll be able to organize your photos any way you want in your Forever Storage--watch the How to Upload & Organize video here to see it step-by-step.

NOTE:  You can upload photos at the Forever website on your computer, phone, or tablet, or you can get the Forever app, which makes this step and the next super easy and convenient.  This short video gives you more information about the app:

EASY BUTTON IDEA:  I have personally found it very easy and convenient to just upload all my phone photos to my Forever app and THEN open my Forever account and download them to my computer.  It's just faster than uploading twice.  Forever saves your photos in full resolution (some photobook companies reduce the file size and therefore the quality), so the ability to download back is a great backup for my computer, too!  And my photos in Forever are triple-backed-up, so there's that!

TO ADD TAGS AND DESCRIPTIONS (Tuesday)

•  Photos without names, dates, places, and details are worth very little.  If you don't know who is in the photo or why it was taken, the photo loses its value.  You might think you'll always remember, but trust me:  you won't.  Memories fade faster than we want them to.  Plus, the babies in those photos will grow up and have no memories of the events at all--make sure you can pass on your photos WITH VALUE.
• We'll add details (value!) to our photos in print pages later, but for now, you can quickly add them to your digital files in your Forever account.  You can Tag your photos (like put a tag called Bob on all the photos with Bob in them), and you can add Descriptions (names, dates, places, details).  Start this video at 6:45 to see how.  It's super easy!  Again, this can be done straight from your phone if you want.
• This is what it looks like in your Forever Storage.  You can see the Description I added at the right (it's kind of a paragraph) and the Tags in blue at the bottom right. 

TO CHOOSE A PAGE IN A PHOTO-MEMORY BOOK (Wednesday)

•  Whether you're a "scrapbooker" or not has nothing to do with this, so don't worry!  
• Putting photos and memories in pages is so important!  Experts always say that no matter how you save your photos digitally, print remains one of the safest places to store photos.  Plus, you can easily add all the memories and details when they're on a page, and you don't need an expensive device like a phone or computer to be able to access your precious photos!  A book makes a great gift and really isn't the same as an email with pictures.
• Books from Forever are printed at the highest quality in the industry, so they last, plus a PDF of your book is automatically saved in your Forever Storage, so you have a digital version of it, too.  (So easy to share!)   Find a book template you like here (I suggest searching either "yearbook" or "classic").  Click "start my book" and then you'll choose a page or two that you'll put photos and memories (journaling) in tomorrow.  This video gives you a quick rundown of how to change page layouts.  So, if--for example--you have 9 photos this week that you'll be saving in pages tomorrow, look for a page or two that will hold 9 photos. 

TO PUT PHOTOS IN PAGES (Thursday)

•  Put photos in the template's photo place holders, as you saw in the video above.  Adjust them within the photo space as needed.  Feel free to choose a different page layout if it turns out the one you'd chosen before doesn't fit the pictures how you like.
• NOTE:  Using a Design & Print template is the quickest and easiest way to preserve your memories in pages, but if digital scrapbooking with full creativity and flexibility on pages is more your thing, use Artisan instead.  It's what I use, and I *love* it!  Learn more about Artisan here to start, and find my whole Artisan Quick Tips with Jennifer series here.

TO ADD DETAILS IN PAGES (Friday)

• Click the text boxes on the pages you've just put photos in so you can add details.  This is sometimes called journaling or story.  Your memories are what make the photos worth something.  Refer to the Yearbook Template video above if you need a refresher.

TO CATCH UP (Saturday)

• If you got behind on any part for any reason this week, catch up today!  If you're right on track, use this time to work on photos and memories from previous weeks, months, or years.  
• If 10 minutes isn't enough to catch up as much as you'd like, set aside some time on your calendar, or join our quarterly Photo Rodeo: Rein in Your Photos for some dedicated work time online (and I'm there for questions if you have any).
• Some weeks, you'll take more pictures than other weeks.  On an average week, I take 0-5 photos.  However, I spent 6 days in Ireland last spring and took about 50 photos a day!  It was pretty easy to cull photos each night at the hotel, especially with the app, but that's really all I had time for then.  So, I set aside time on my calendar (before I left!) to come home and do these other steps.  Use this "catch up" time for whatever suits you best, and add more time as needed for non-average weeks.  

Now you're ready!  You can start a photo-preserving and memory keeping habit on Sunday! Keep in up in just 10 minutes a day.  

Find your free printable here, with an overview of all the steps of the plan and the details you need to follow them.

I suggest getting everything ready to go for Sunday NOW by doing those things that require some set-up under the "Using FOREVER..." section.  You can peruse some savings information here so you're ready for Sunday, too.  It'll be a great day!

Keep up The 10 Minutes Daily Photo Plan for 6 weeks, and tell me what you think!  What changed for you?  What did you discover?  How do you feel after 6 weeks with your photos and memories?  Tell me in the comments below, or email photoandstorytreasures@gmail.com 

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10 Gift Ideas that Won't Be Re-Gifted

Gift-giving--especially to certain people--can be challenging.  It can be difficult to find just the right gift for just the right person.  What if they don't need or like what you've chosen?  What if they just re-gift your gift?   

If you're ready to resort to gift cards (and who could blame you?), you've come to the right place.  You're about to become the Queen/King of Gift-Giving because these 10 gift ideas are sure to be enjoyed for years to come!  

Let's dive in to these fantastic gift ideas!  The only thing you'll need to get any of these gift ideas is a Forever account.  It's free, and if you're new to Forever, it comes with a $20 coupon that you can use toward any of these items.  Win-win!  Plus, all of these ideas shown below are professionally printed using the highest quality in the industry, so technically it's win-win-win.  :)

Don't miss my budget-friendly plan right here for all this amazing gift-giving, too!

NOTE:  I am a Forever affiliate (a decision I made because I love it so much), so you will find affiliate links in this post, from which I earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you.

The first idea on our list is a simple one, but aside from fantastic quality, you can actually give this gift with something unique! 

IDEA #1:  a personalized mug feat. Mug Mix recipes

Yes, you've seen photo mugs at big-box store websites, but you've never seen mugs like this.  I think this makes a great gift for anyone, but especially a college student or anyone else living on their own when you include the Mug Mix recipes.   

They're easy to make, right in the mug, and they microwave in 1-2 minutes.  The lunch mug mix recipes would be great just to take to work, too!   I love the potato soup one myself.

Watch the video tutorial to see the 6 Mug Mix recipes, and feel free to ask me for more.  Most of the additional ones I have are for desserts (like cake-in-a-mug), but I'm happy to share.

You can find the Mug Mix recipes here.  You're welcome to order them for professional printing (be aware they are made from Invitations, so they'll come in a pack of 10), or just copy down the recipes on your own 3x5 cards. 

The tutorial shows how to make a mug as well, but the free Design & Print software is pretty intuitive, especially for something as simple as a mug, so you can just explore templates here on your own if you prefer.  Use the search bar to type in "family," or "Christmas," or "pets," or whatever key word you like.

IDEA #2:  permanent digital photo storage

If you're shopping for the person who has ev-er-y-thing, I guarantee they don't have this! 

I mean, unless, they actually do have Forever Storage, in which case another 10GB never hurts.  (Seriously!  We are always taking more pictures!)  

So, here's the thing:  Most people don't have a good place to digitally store their photos and videos.  

Computers and flash drives are fine, but in case of disaster--from an external hard drive that won't open any more to a flood--storing your photos/videos in the cloud is a must.  

However, so many cloud sites require a monthly fee, and most have undesirable fine print such as reserving rights to your photos to share or sell them if they choose (yes, for real) and/or that they can discontinue their services at any time.  You can read more about this digital cloud storage nonsense here, but the solution to all this is what makes a great gift!

I discovered Forever Storage a few years ago, and it makes a fantastic gift because photos/videos stored there are not only guaranteed private without upkeep fees but also:

When you gift Forever Storage, you can either set up a Forever account for the person or purchase a gift certificate in the amount of the Forever Storage (10 GB, 25 GB, 100 GB, etc.).   I'm happy to help you with questions, too.  You can reach me here.

This video shows how easy it is to upload and organize photos in Forever Storage.

IDEA #3:  Tabletop Panel (not just for decor any more!)

Yes, a Tabletop Panel is a quick and easy gift, but there is even more to this gift than meets the eye.

It's definitely a sweet way to display photos on a desk, table, or mantel.

See all the (free) Design & Print Tabletop Panel templates here.

And there are lots of lovely designs to choose from to match your recipient's decor or style.

But since there's a glossy finish on Tabletop Panels, they can also be used as dry erase boards!

Find this 8x10 menu board template here.

This is such a unique and fun gift!  

I LOVE my menu planner!  I designed it myself and made it ultra-personal using Artisan (see Idea #10).

IDEA #4:  family yearbook

I have a friend who gives this to her family every year for Christmas.  She takes all the photos from the previous year and creates a digital photo-memory book (digital scrapbook) for her family.  They spend Christmas day looking through and enjoying their memories!

made using a free Design & Print template

Don't let this idea overwhelm you, either!  I've taught Yearbook Boot Camp classes where attendees complete their books in either 4 weeks or 2 weeks!  It is completely do-able!  

The professionally-designed templates from Forever make all the difference because they are free, and the (free) software is super intuitive.  See how it's done at this 5-minute video and you'll already be a pro.

I've broken down the Yearbook Boot Camp into 8-week assignments for you right here, but feel free to double-up if you'd like to get it done in 4.

I can't tell you how much I love my family yearbooks!  They are great gifts that last a lifetime, when you think about it.

made using Artisan software; see #10

See all the top-quality photo-memory book templates by Forever here.

IDEA #5:  personalized blanket (commemorative or otherwise)

If something special happened recently, a blanket is a lovely way to commemorate it, but it's also just a comfy gift in general.  

made using a free Design & Print template

A friend of mine made a blanket for her dad who was in the end stages of life.  The blanket was of pictures of everyone who loved him, and it was a tender way to be wrapped up in their love.

I know a handful of people who have made blankets with Forever, and every one of them is stunned at the quality.  I mean, stunned.  Including me.

I made this blanket for my daughter after our trip to Ireland, which was her college graduation gift.  It was such a heavenly, delightful trip that I wanted to commemorate it not just in my family yearbook but with something she could pull out every day.  It was so beautiful I almost cried when I opened it.  (And she DID cry when I gave it to her!)  

SEE?!?!  (*swoon*)

A blanket is an amazing way to highlight gorgeous pictures, and when they represent cherished memories, it's just a perfect gift.

See all the free Design & Print blanket templates here, including this fun T-shirt photo blanket idea!  (Great way to save T-shirts in a fraction of the time it would take to actually make a T-shirt blanket by hand!)

T-shirt blanket template here

Or how about a stadium blanket that rolls up and has a handle?!  So many fun ideas for personalized blankets.

IDEA #6: old family memories digitized

I can't imagine how happy I would be if someone had gifted this to me.  (In fairness, I gifted it to myself when I first learned about it, so nobody really had the chance.)  

If you know someone who has old family memories that are stuck--stuck in old formats like film reels or VHS tapes or slides, or literally stuck to old "magnetic" photo albums that are eating away at photos that now can't be removed--this gift will absolutely delight!

The cost of a Forever Box includes digitizing services (for a vast array of products!) and 3-way shipping.  So everything is already paid for when you give a Forever Box.  Contact me for details, or learn more here:

I was SO HAPPY to get my VHS tapes (which had begun to lose their quality and started getting choppy) digitized with the Forever Box.  It's not just me--Forever Digitization has the highest rating of customer satisfaction (by far) on Trustpilot, too.  

Choose DVD, flash drive, or both for your digitized memories.

Order your Forever Box here, then gift it empty and let your recipient choose what gets digitized, or do the digitizing ahead of time for them and gift the final product!  

IDEA #7: notebook/journal

 This is a fun, quick gift to give to recipients of all ages!  Just put a few photos (1-9) of your choosing on the front, a little text, and you're done.

You'll choose a wirebound or hardbound binding before you check out, and one of these interior pages:

I'm going to make notebooks for family members' birthdays this coming year using some of the pictures from our family reunion in July!  What a cool gift.  :)

I love the one I made for myself last year with my favorite beach pictures:

Find notebook templates here.  If you want to see firsthand how easy it is to make a notebook, check out this tutorial video I made:

IDEA #8: planner

Planners are new in 2023!  The actual product is similar to the notebooks in Idea #7, but there are more pages (and the interior pages will obviously be different from a journal, too).

Choose a planner template here, then plug in the photos and text you like in the designated spots.

You'll choose a spiral or hard binding at checkout, along with your interior pages from these options:

The daily one even has a spot to keep track of your water intake!  :)

IDEA #9: canvas (home decor)

A canvas is such a great way to showcase favorite photos in a big way!

There are lots of easy, beautiful, professionally-designed canvas templates to choose from in a wide variety of sizes and orientations.

This tutorial video goes over all the sizes and specs of Forever canvases, and I show you how to make one yourself in just minutes.

I designed my own canvas using Artisan (see #10 below) using a family tree template I bought from MoreThanABranch on Etsy, then added some additional digital art to finish it up.  I love how it turned out!

There are lots of canvas possibilities!

IDEA #10: Artisan (premier digital scrapbooking software)

If you know someone who loves creativity, the Artisan software from Forever makes an amazing gift!

You can make any of the items shown in this post, from mugs to books to blankets, using Artisan instead of the Design & Print templates.  

The templates, of course, are very quick, very easy to make, but if you're looking for more flexibility in design and more creativity, Artisan is where it's at!

Artisan is absolutely impressive.  Think Photoshop and Canva on steroids.  

This video shows you what it's like to work in Artisan by just making a basic page in a book, plus I have a 30-minute Artisan Jump Start and a whole video series called Artisan Quick Tips where you and your gift recipient can see all sorts of Artisan features, shown one at a time.

This is a screen shot of some of my pages from a family yearbook I created using Artisan, but I also made that Ireland blanket with Artisan because I wanted to use that cool Irish-looking font from my computer instead of the more standard fonts available with Design & Print. 

Artisan is definitely for digital scrapbooking, but you can do all sorts of things with it.  I even made a digital scrap page of gift tags that I'll cut out to give out with Christmas gifts to neighbors!

Click the image and you can download this to your Forever
account and print it yourself!

So, which Gift Idea was your favorite?  Which one will be just the thing for your gift-giving this year?  Tell me in the comments below.

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