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Post by jeremysgirl on Jan 4, 2023 17:03:28 GMT
I have been working on a gift album for my DSD who is pregnant with my first grandchild. She had a false labor last night (she's due in 3 weeks) and I lamented to one of my friends that she couldn't have the baby yet because my gift album wasn't done. (I was joking, of course.) But my friend was like, how do you make a gift album when a baby isn't even born yet? I told her I just scrapbooked the pages, leaving spots for 4x6 photos, a journaling block. I told her I would gift her adhesive, a black pen, and a giftcard for Shutterfly to get her photos printed. Now, I thought this was a super thoughtful gift. However, my friend was horrified that I'd be putting it on a new mom who has never shown any indication of being crafty to complete this album. She was like, why aren't you just doing the album and gifting it to her when it is complete?
I admit, I never thought of it from that perspective. My DSD is not crafty but has always been appreciative of my crafts. As the grandma, I'm certain I will have access to many, many pictures and I will know the important dates and details. So I probably could put the whole album together and give it to her after the child turns 1. But hey, I'm a scrapbooker with control issues and if I was the recipient, I would be a bit irritated I didn't get to do it myself. But again, I'm a scrapbooker already. My other friend thought it was a great gift the way I intended it and actually she received one when she had her baby and it sparked in her the desire to scrapbook and she has continued.
So, now I'm questioning myself. Please weigh in.
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Post by 950nancy on Jan 4, 2023 17:12:29 GMT
I'd give it at the one year mark. From what you posted, it might not get used.
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Deleted
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Nov 6, 2024 18:33:41 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2023 17:16:42 GMT
I've done both. Gave my crafty friend an album to fill in herself. And make an album of an event for a friend. I can tell you that the album that was already made was very much appreciated.
I love that you are thinking about doing this for your DSD. She's very lucky! But I do think she will be so busy and overwhelmed that having her do it may be too much for the first year. Maybe make one for her and then next year give her one to fill in herself?
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Post by scrappyrabbit on Jan 4, 2023 17:19:27 GMT
I think it really depends on the person. I’ve made several baby gifts albums, and I scrap the photos and all. I usually will leave a few journaling spots for the parents to write, but to be honest, I don’t even know if they have taken the time to do that. It honestly never occurred to me to leave the photo mats blank and have them fill it in.
Although these albums were gifts, in the sense that I did not keep the end result, I still enjoyed the process of making them. That includes choosing the photos, papers, embellishments, and putting them all together in a way that is pleasing to me. So in a sense, the albums are also created from my perspective. Even if the photos were taken by someone else, the overall album is through my lens. I think that if I created the pages with no photos, I wouldn’t see the album that way, if that makes sense. It would be more neutral. Either way, it is still a thoughtful gift.
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Post by breakfastattiffanys on Jan 4, 2023 17:21:43 GMT
I’ve gifted both types and I think the completed one was probably the best reaction I’ve ever received as a gift giver.
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Post by papersilly on Jan 4, 2023 18:23:27 GMT
i think a new mom might be too busy to put photos in. i would give her a finished album.
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Post by grammadee on Jan 4, 2023 18:55:14 GMT
For my dgk's baby albums, I gave them to the mom with the pages and titles in place, as well as journaling blocks. For the photos, I added sleeves. So the mom could print the photo and slip it into the sleeve. Some of the books were done independently--they really just had to do some writing and pop in photos. But they others I was asked for assistance for, all the way from printing photos in an orientation that would work with the design to sitting down with mom and finishing the pages.
The only book I did totally by myself was for the dgs who was adopted at age 2 1/2. I simply scrapped something for his first year in our family and then gave that to them when it was completed.
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Ryann
Pearl Clutcher
Love is Inclusive
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Location: PNW
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Post by Ryann on Jan 4, 2023 18:56:16 GMT
jeremysgirl As good as your intentions, I would not gift a new mom the task of finishing a half completed baby album. I did a similar book for my BFF after she had her daughter. I printed out photos that she had shared with me and used those to fill in the book (newborn to 12 months). I made it using pocket pages so if she really wanted to change the photos out or move anything around, she could. I did everything except write in it. I pulled info she shared with me via our text messages from the point her daughter was born and made notes of dates/milestones/observations and anything else that was relevant and placed chronologically into a Word document that I printed out and gave her with the album. That gave her lots of ideas/prompts to help her when doing any writing throughout the book.
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Post by Texas Scrap on Jan 4, 2023 19:06:41 GMT
So I usually complete the entire thing, but I have also done template like albums for a new baby where I create pages with prompts for milestones, key dates, etc so the person is just filling in info vs having to start from a blank page. Some people would prefer to do this themselves - like a custom baby book.
I think blank pages can be overwhelming to people, so my general preference is to go the entire thing, sometimes leaving some page protectors if they want to add extra pictures, or doing the template style album.
Good luck!
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Post by jeremysgirl on Jan 4, 2023 19:24:12 GMT
I think blank pages can be overwhelming to people I didn't leave any blank pages. I simply put 4x6 mats in place where photos go and left a journaling block on each page for writing. I really didn't think this would be overwhelming to anyone. I thought it would be no different than in the 1970s when my mom printed photos and wrote notes on the back, popping them into an album. It would just look prettier. I was honestly shocked that my friend said that. I don't always have faith in her opinion, though, because there is very little that she's willing to put effort into. But it looks as though most of you agree that I should just scrapbook the entire album and then gift it to her. I can do that too. And bonus for me is that I won't be in a super big hurry to get it done before he arrives.  |
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pantsonfire
Drama Llama
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
Posts: 6,185
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Post by pantsonfire on Jan 4, 2023 20:25:11 GMT
I gifted my sister a birth to 1st birthday album for my niece and it was made with areas for photos. All she had to do eas add the photos. She really appreciated it and I likes that she could choose the photos she wanted.
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Post by BSnyder on Jan 4, 2023 20:39:52 GMT
I am not sure how to answer the poll, because I see the point about being overwhelming to a new mom, I guess. Plenty of moms that aren't scrapbookers keep baby journals the first year, I think. A baby journal/album with journaling from someone else's perspective seems kind of weird, too. Unless, it is truly just a photo album. I guess it really depends on whose perspective you hope to have represented in the journaling/album.
Looking back on my baby album the most valuable part, although the photos are cute, is the writing, words, and perspective of my mom. Maybe assemble the album for the mom. Have her share a few pictures each month, and if comfortable a few sentences in her words about the milestones, events, feelings, etc. Or, maybe it's a project you work on together through the year, assuming you are relatively close to your DSD. She can track things on a month at a glance calendar (digital or physical) to make it easy to remember and easy... then share it and the photos with you.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
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Post by scrapnnana on Jan 4, 2023 20:40:46 GMT
I gave a completed album, minus photos and journaling to one daughter-in-law when she had their first baby (a boy). She loved it, but when she had their second baby (a girl), she asked me to just do the album with photos and journaling. She does some crafting, but scrapbooking isn’t her thing.
I suggest you ask your DSD which she would prefer. It’s better that she is happy with your gift than get a gift that is a surprise.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Jan 4, 2023 20:45:40 GMT
I suggest you ask your DSD which she would prefer. It’s better that she is happy with your gift than get a gift that is a surprise. This is probably the best idea. I had thought I wanted to surprise her. But it seems clear to me that maybe that isn't the best idea. |
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alleyscrap
Junior Member
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Apr 4, 2022 18:43:23 GMT
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Post by alleyscrap on Jan 4, 2023 20:47:35 GMT
I gifted my sister a birth to 1st birthday album for my niece and it was made with areas for photos. All she had to do eas add the photos. She really appreciated it and I likes that she could choose the photos she wanted. I did the exact same thing for my sisters and both were very appreciative and did complete it. They just had to print monthly photos and stick them in. One of my sisters is due again next month and I am about to make another one. Maybe I should ask if she would like me to complete it over the course of the first year with photos she sends, or if I should let her do it. She is a photographer and she prints lots of photos regardless so it may be different for someone who isn’t into having physical copies of photos. That said, every year for Christmas I make a yearly mini album for my other sister of highlights from the year. Sometimes they are pictures we took together, some are what she sends me from events I was not a part of. Those I do have fully finished when I gift them, although they are usually pretty surface level and are more like a decorated photo album (excuse for me to play with fun supplies). |
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Post by Basket1lady on Jan 4, 2023 20:53:19 GMT
I suggest you ask your DSD which she would prefer. It’s better that she is happy with your gift than get a gift that is a surprise. This is probably the best idea. I had thought I wanted to surprise her. But it seems clear to me that maybe that isn't the best idea. Surprise her with the album and then ask her which way she would prefer to go. If she seems hesitant, take the album and say something about already having a gift for the first birthday. As scrapbookers, our instinct is to value the choice of photos and journaling in mom’s own handwriting. But for some, that is overwhelming. Just remember that there’s value in having that from Grandma’s perspective. |
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istamp247
Junior Member
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Jan 24, 2020 14:57:14 GMT
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Post by istamp247 on Jan 4, 2023 21:01:27 GMT
I've done both. I gave one that didn't have the photos (I did leave photo mats for 4x6 photos and journaling blocks) as a baby shower gift. The mom-to-be loved it. I've also gifted completed albums (not baby) and they were well received too. I actually have ongoing albums for each of my nieces and nephews that will be their graduation presents. The oldest graduated a couple of years ago and she immediately sat down at her graduation party to look at the albums. I need to get caught up on the next one. She graduates in spring 2024.
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Post by myboysnme on Jan 5, 2023 1:08:46 GMT
What I did was I premade all the pages and then sent the matted photos for them to include. They sent me photos and I had them printed to fit the space on the page.
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Post by myboysnme on Jan 5, 2023 2:31:20 GMT
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Post by amyl on Jan 5, 2023 11:14:55 GMT
I love the gift and I have done the exact same thing! I think especially because you are the grandma, you can give to her as you planned. If she gets overwhelmed or decides this isn’t her thing you can offer to fill in for her happily. You could even offer her that at the beginning. As a mom with my own control issues, I would want the option to make the decision!
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Post by mikklynn on Jan 5, 2023 14:13:55 GMT
I love the gift and I have done the exact same thing! I think especially because you are the grandma, you can give to her as you planned. If she gets overwhelmed or decides this isn’t her thing you can offer to fill in for her happily. You could even offer her that at the beginning. As a mom with my own control issues, I would want the option to make the decision! That is what I would do, too. |
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paget
Drama Llama
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Jun 25, 2014 21:16:39 GMT
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Post by paget on Jan 5, 2023 14:22:18 GMT
I have never gifted an album but I think what I might do in your circumstances since you know her well is gift her the album and tell her both ways - if she wants to fill it in great and you can help if needed or you are happy to complete for her. As long as you presented it like you are really fine with both options and she is normally comfortable with you I’d think she could tell you which she’d prefer.
Either way, it’s a really thoughtful gift.
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Post by judyc on Jan 5, 2023 14:31:12 GMT
I have given completed mini albums as gifts, but not whole scrapbook albums. For Christmas one year I gave my MIL and husband's step mother both CM albums with a few pages done in them of their Grandchildren from the past year or so, along with supplies to add photos on their own - simple things like adhesive and photo corners and markers just to add photos, not expecting them to create pages, just put all the photos in a safe place. A few years later I saw one of the albums stuffed on a shelf in basement storage, never saw the other one again.
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Post by scrapcat on Jan 5, 2023 17:40:19 GMT
I think it's a know your audience thing like others have suggested, so maybe asking is good.
I've only done things like this for people who know what I do and also appreciate, compliment it.
I also don't do whole albums, just maybe a mini or folio type thing so it's something that they could leave out, set on top of a desk/dresser if they want. Some people are not photo/photo book/memory keeping people. It really depends on the person. I'm guessing you know your DSD will appreciate it.
Once for a friend I did decorate a clipboard calendar for the first year, then had a sheet where she could write in all the firsts and important milestones. I think that is something most people want/like to do, even if they don't end up getting it into an album.
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Post by Really Red on Jan 5, 2023 20:07:02 GMT
I would be THRILLED if someone did this for me. But I love scrapbooking and crafts.
I gifted two people with Christmas albums, set up how you set up yours. If I do say so myself, they were stunning. I did a third one and donated to my kids' school and it sold in the hundreds of dollars. I know that neither of them put any pictures in.
Also, I did albums for each of my nieces at their HS graduation. My sister sent me maybe 30 pictures and I found dozens more to include. It was supposed to be birth to 18. I did a ton in the albums, including much writing. I left some info for my sister. Maybe a couple hours' worth. She has still never done anything with them. Her girls are on top of her about it regularly, too.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Jan 6, 2023 12:39:24 GMT
I have never gifted an album but I think what I might do in your circumstances since you know her well is gift her the album and tell her both ways - if she wants to fill it in great and you can help if needed or you are happy to complete for her. As long as you presented it like you are really fine with both options and she is normally comfortable with you I’d think she could tell you which she’d prefer. Yes, I think that simply asking is the best option. I know that neither of them put any pictures in. She has still never done anything with them. This hurts my heart, but of course, I know it's always a possibility. As a crafter who has made a lot of things over the years and given them to others as gifts, I know that not everyone appreciates handmade items. I actually ran this by Jeremy yesterday. He knew what I was planning/started to do and then I told him what my friend had said. And he was like, well, knowing my kid, I think you should just do the whole thing. He was worried about the pictures but I told him that I'm sure she will send us lots of pictures, as well as post to Facebook so I wasn't worried about not having enough pictures or only having my own to work with. Thank you for the feedback. I appreciated everyone taking the time to help me work this out. |
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Post by Really Red on Jan 6, 2023 13:50:14 GMT
This hurts my heart, but of course, I know it's always a possibility. As a crafter who has made a lot of things over the years and given them to others as gifts, I know that not everyone appreciates handmade items. I actually ran this by Jeremy yesterday. He knew what I was planning/started to do and then I told him what my friend had said. And he was like, well, knowing my kid, I think you should just do the whole thing. He was worried about the pictures but I told him that I'm sure she will send us lots of pictures, as well as post to Facebook so I wasn't worried about not having enough pictures or only having my own to work with. Thank you for the feedback. I appreciated everyone taking the time to help me work this out. I think this is the best idea. I was thinking about this post last night and thinking about how many albums I made for people. It's the ones that were complete that everyone still talks about today. They don't care that we put in pictures they might not have; the work is done!!! It's a different day and age then when I started with a film camera. There are a LOT of pictures out there. |
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