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StoryWorth: The Most Thoughtful Gift That Can Be Cherished for Years

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Most Thoughtful Gift

My grandma died almost 20 years ago at the age of 90. I was close to her and thought I had asked her everything I needed to about her life. But as I get older, I realize there are still more things I would like to ask her and more I would have liked to have known about her, especially her younger years before I was born. I wish StoryWorth, the most thoughtful gift, would have been around when she was in her 70s and 80s.

What Is StoryWorth?

StoryWorth is a website that helps you learn about your relatives’ lives. For a $49 fee, you can get one question a week sent to your relative. Your relative answers the question, and StoryWorth compiles all of the answers. Your relative can also add pictures to the stories. After one year, the stories are bound into a hardcover book.

What Questions Are Asked?

StoryWorth has hundreds of questions. When you first pay for the subscription, StoryWorth populates 52 questions automatically. However, you can change out questions by looking through the available questions. This allows you to target specific information you’d like to know. Some potential questions include, “Describe one of your most memorable birthdays,” and “How did you meet your spouse? When did you decide you wanted to marry them?”

The Most Thoughtful Gift’s Stay Power

StoryWorth is an excellent gift for you and your children to learn more about older relatives’ lives. However, this gift is a gift that keeps on giving.

As I get older, I’m spending more time researching my ancestry. I have a great, great, great grandfather, Alonzo, who fought in the Civil War. He kept a journal during that time, but the journal was factual information about the battles he was in and the marches the soldiers took. There was nothing personal. I discovered that Alonzo’s mother typed up a two-page document about her life, which included personal information about Alonzo. That is a cherished document because those relatives now are more than a branch on my family tree. I have a glimpse into how they lived.

Imagine how cherished a StoryWorth book full of memories will be to future generations when they want to know more about the people in their family tree!

Our Experience with StoryWorth

The Most Thoughtful Gift

I bought my mom a subscription to StoryWorth for Mother’s Day. She has answered every prompt with several paragraphs of writing. Although I know the stories behind most of her answers, my kids didn’t. They love learning more about their grandmother’s life, especially when she was younger.

Final Thoughts

StoryWorth is the most thoughtful gift for the recipient, the gift giver, and future generations. The recipient gets to share the stories of her life and relive her memories. The gift-giver learns more about the recipient’s life and create a cherished keepsake. Future generations of family genealogists get a priceless document that will let them deeply learn about the life of one person in their family tree.

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10 Inexpensive–but Priceless–Gifts for Mom for Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day Gifts by Age and Budget

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Unsure of what to get Mom this year? Check out these Mother's Day gift ideas by age and budget.I have always loved Mother’s day. As a child growing up I found Mother’s day crafts in school we’re always the most fun (in hindsight probably not a coincidence since most of my teachers we’re female, and moms themselves- always prepping cool gifts they’d want to receive themselves!). As an adult, and now a mother myself, it’s a special day.

I admit that it takes a lot to be a mom. It is the hardest thing I will likely ever encounter in my life. From pregnancy to raising a successful child, it is hard. I think Mother’s day and Father’s day are two of the most important days of the year. Though gifts aren’t necessary, much like a birthday it’s nice to feel appreciated and most people enjoy tangible objects.

What a child is able to accomplish in terms of gifts will vary depending mostly on age and as well, budget. The best gift I ever received (and likely will never be topped) was a homemade video my husband made for me on my birthday- it’s not always about how much money one spends. Time, effort and thought far outweigh any monetary denomination.

Gift from…Babies

Budget Idea: Have the babies’ footprint or handprint placed on something. Moms love baby feet and hands more than can ever be explained. Make an impression in dough or casting kit or use ink to take imprint and place on an object (picture, ornament, flower pot….anything!)

More Expensive Idea: Have a piece of custom jewelry made with mom and baby birthstones. You can do this with rings, necklaces or even keychains. There is no shortage of birthstone ideas. They can be purchased at local jewelers as well as online at craft sites like Etsy.

Gift from…Young Children

Budget Idea: Plants. This is a general idea that can be broaden however you want. A simple vase with flowers is nice, custom paint a flower pot and have a child plant some seeds or bulbs. For less than $10 you could come up with a fun craft with that young kids would enjoy helping with

More Expensive Idea: A family dinner out. Now that my daughter is a little bit older, and able to sit down without wanting to run around everywhere, I enjoy taking her places (without worry of toddler containment!). A nice dinner out would be much appreciated by mom for sure!

Gift from…Older Child-Adult Children

Budget Idea: Time with mom. Probably the cheapest idea of them all but honestly the most important. Especially as kids get older, busy, and more involved in their own independence, mom would LOVE a day with you- distraction free.

More Expensive Idea: Take mom on a date out. A mom/child date is a super nice idea. Totally up to you what you plan but whatever it is, she will love it. Huge bonus points if you’re earning your own money and budget a date for her!

Mother’s appreciate the thought put into Mother’s day. They know how hard they work and honestly deserve at least one day of recognition! Show mom you care and make her feel special.

What plans do you have for Mother’s Day?

Mothers Day Gift Ideas: Traditional or Non-Traditional?

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mothers day gift ideasIn a few short weeks children around the world will be celebrating all that their moms do for them. This will be my first Mother’s day and I’m quite excited to see what my husband has in store for me! While I have no experience on the receiving end yet, I have many years behind me in the gift-giving side of things. I have made many crafts and purchased many flowers in my years. It didn’t matter if I gave my mom a handmade card with scribbles or a $50 bouquet, she appreciated it all.

 

Traditional Ideas

I don’t know a mom out there that wouldn’t love to get a hand-made gift of any kind from their child. The fact that a child put thought and effort into making something from their hearts will always be well received. If the child is still too young to make something unassisted, Dad or another caregiver could help make something simple like a hand or foot print artwork.

Another gift that is always well received by moms is flowers. Mom or not I’ve never given or received flowers that weren’t appreciated. Though you can get beautiful pre-made bouquets at a florist, a picked wildflower bouquet is just as beautiful.

My personal favorite traditional gift idea (and I hope my husband is reading this) is a cooked meal, followed by full cleanup! I think I can speak for all moms world-wide when I say all we really want is a short break. Take on some of our normal duties for just one day, I dare you 🙂 Without asking, take care of everything that needs to be done. Help with cleaning, cooking and childcare. Gifts are always nice but a little family time without worrying about keeping house is probably the best gift of all.

 

Non-Traditional Ideas

Speaking of cleaning, how about a full car detailing? Cars get down right grimy. It seems no matter how well one cleans their car, children especially, have a way of making a car dirty on a whole new level. Why not take moms car to a professional for a full car detailing? They can remove dirt you thought would be there forever.

Though a little more expensive, plan a Mothers day weekend away for the family. Go somewhere special to the family or somewhere new you know mom would like to visit. As long as it’s relaxing for mom consider it a success.

With new blooms and weather on the upturn, spring is a great time for outdoor pictures. Book a photographer and have a family picture done. If hiring a professional photographer isn’t in the budget, ask a family member or friend to help out. The importance is in capturing the memory, not the type of camera lens or quality of picture frame.

Mothers day isn’t about how much money you spend. Whatever you choose, just take time out of your day to tell mom how much you appreciate her, even in the simple form of words.

What are your Mother’s Day plans?