This idea is a mix of two of the ideas we have discussed in the past. By combining them, we get what I think could be the perfect gift idea! Being that the holiday season is fast approaching, you might want to read this and take some action. You will be sure to see a smile in the eyes of whoever you give this gift to. It is completely customizable and will have the person who receives it thinking of you all year long! Allow me to explain what this perfect gift is.

I was at work the other morning feeling a little down. It could have been lack of sleep. Maybe it was the first snow fall and the start of the winter season? Maybe it was because it was before 5am and I was at work. Whatever the cause, I was feeling a little down in the mouth as they say. My beautiful fiancé, Margie, was at home blissfully sleeping. As she is my main source of inspiration, I needed to do something quick, or I would be in for a long depressing day. I glanced over at my calendar. It is beach themed. This is one of the recommendations I make. Surround yourself with things that make you smile. Then, I thought of our most recent tip on how to develop an attitude of gratitude. I grabbed my phone and opened the picture album named ‘gratitude’. Pictures of Margie and I on vacation together, my mom and I at the state fair and many other such things greeted me.

Then I glanced back at the calendar to see how many days it was until my next day off. It was just then that the idea came to me. I asked myself, because often at work I am the best person for me to talk to. I asked myself, “Why not gather 12 pictures that make you feel grateful and turn them into a calendar?” A second voice in my head asked “Why not use collage and pick even more?” Then, a third voice that happened to be listening chimed in. “Why not pick pictures that remind you of why you are grateful for someone and make a calendar for them?” This was one of those times I was glad to have all of these voices in my head!

Granted on most days the voices in my head are not that spooky, but today I am glad that we all had the conversation. I think it could be a very touching an empowering gift. You could do pictures of fun times that you and the other person shared. You could do pictures of their accomplishments. You could do pictures of things you know they love. The possibilities are endless. Here is a cool part. Each month when they turn the page of the calendar, a new reminder of the awesome person in their life that gave them this calendar will pop in their head. That will be joined by the fun memories you shared if that is what you pick. If you pick all of their accomplishments, it might help them feel empowered throughout the year.

Whatever route you chose to go, putting the 50,000 pictures in your phone, or in my case your fiancé’s phone, to work will bring joy to everyone. It doesn’t just have to be a calendar either. You can go with a mug with a special picture you know they love or that will make them smile. Everytime they would take a sip of coffee, there you and the positive memories are. Not only will this bring a lot of joy to the other person, but it will probably strengthen your relationship with them. How is that for a great added bonus?