Family Heirlooms

When a family member has a special occasion such as graduation, wedding, new home, or new baby, a family heirloom can be the perfect gift and a great opportunity to pass something down to next generation. Sometimes it can just be a first generation piece which then creates a multi-generation heirloom, or it could be something that has been passed down many times in the past.

When I was young, I always coveted my Dad's watch. He had bought in the early 70's and it was a beautiful Cartier Tank with an alligator band and gold clip. It was classic, expensive and formal, not a sports watch, more a piece of art worn with a three piece suit. My Dad knew how much I loved that watch and when I graduated college and he had retired, he had the back of the watch engraved with the month and year of my graduation, along with my initials, and gave it to me quietly and alone. I was floored that he would give me something so precious and expensive, and I cherish

it always. I don't wear it that often, but when I do, it is like wearing a elegant piece of jewelry that will always remind me of him.

Your heirloom doesn't have to be expensive, just something the person may see as sentimental, a thing from the past that has memories. Something they will look at and remember you or a time or a place. Over the years I have been blessed with such gifts, one was a set of wooden carved Christmas elves from my Mom that I loved, another was a recipe for chocolate chip cookies that I never understood why they were so much better than anything else. It is the thought that counts, and it will always be a great gift.

For more gift ideas, go to www.greatgiftguides.com