Framed With Poverty
This Christmas will most likely be a very low-key, non-materialistic one. I think that is okay though. In fact, I have always wanted to have a Dollar Tree Christmas or a drugstore Christmas or something. Maybe set a limit of $10 and see who can get the most or the coolest or the weirdest gift for $10 or less. Whatever the case, I have been racking my brain as to what to get friends (and maybe family) for Christmas. Until the other day I had totally ignored my own photography. I mean, who doesn’t like art? I know I am not the best photographer and I know that not everyone even likes photography. But in the spirit of Christmas, how much more personal can you get than to give a photograph of your own taking, framed in something nice and ready to hang.
So, I have found that I can take an image, have it printed in a multitude of sizes at Walgreens for between $0.99 and $8.99 and then framed for as little as $2.99. It works out so well. It is easy to wrap. It is a delight to give. And it is well within my 2008 Christmas budget.
So, what are you doing this year to keep Christmas gift expenses down?
November 13th, 2008 at 11:47 am
Maybe Bossy will frame photos of herself and give those as gifts to the people who refuse to follow the No Gift rule. Just to be as obnoxious as possible.
November 13th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
The “no gift” rule is an urban myth, I think. It was designed by those who never could give the best gift for one reason or another so though that if they eliminate ALL competition they could, in fact, have a shot at giving the best. They never accounted for the people who refuse to follow the “no gift” rule in lieu of the “to show I really care” rule. Ahhhhh, the yuletide games.
November 14th, 2008 at 12:38 am
Fab idea! Thanks for the inspiration!
I am planning to put together some photo books for family gifts this year. I found some Epson and HP Photo books on sale at Best Buy during the summer and stashed them away for this purpose.
Now if I can just find time to do them!
November 17th, 2008 at 9:39 am
I haven’t yet decided. A few years ago I did photo books and sent them to “families”… that way I only had to spend about 30 bucks for an entire household.
As of yet, it seems to have been the best gift I’ve ever given anyone. Although… I might have to update, seeing how the old photo books had pictures of a certain someone who I thought would still be around in Christmasses future…
But photo frames don’t seem like a bad idea. That might make it into the running for a good Christmas gift from me as well… (I’m such a copycat).
November 17th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Do it! I don’t like the books because they seem too scrapbookie for me. I like individual frames that blur the line between “memory lane” things and actual art. And with your photography skills? Get something with a matte, sign it, and it will be an amazing gift for anyone!
November 17th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
Check out http://www.adventconspiracy.org/videos/ and watch “enter the story”…thats what we are trying to do.
November 18th, 2008 at 7:40 am
I’ve watched the video. I have taken some ideas as well. My family is spending Christmas together this year so we are all going to make a point to spend quality time together in exchange for gifts. You know, make memories and such.
I am also giving my siblings a gift of $10/each to be used on donation.org to help public school classrooms fund projects. My siblings can choose what class they want to help as the gift card will just open in their name. I will keep everyone posted ’cause after Christmas I can divulge more. Right now, my family reads my blog so I don’t want to give too much away.