I was reading Oct. 6, 2003 newsletter with “October Is Family History Month: Ten Easy Projects to Celebrate.” (Yes, I'm a little behind, but I will not delete them until I have read every one.) I have done a number of these projects.

For Christmas in the past several years, our children have received something "old." This year, one daughter received the pieces of Fiesta dinnerware that my mother had, since she is now collecting new Fiesta. I put on the bottom of each piece what it was used for: egg salad bowl, tuna fish bowl, etc. For our older daughter, I gave Fire King dinnerware to her that had belonged to my husband's mother, since she has used that color green in her decor. Our son received one of his Tonka trucks he played with when he was little. All were thrilled. They also received first editions of Golden Books that were pertinent to them.

Other items mentioned were recipes. When our son went out on his own, for his birthday, I gave him a recipe box with recipes of dishes he particularly liked, some were mine, some from his great aunt and some from his great-grandmother.

Recently, we were invited to dinner at his home and he served chili. The rest of the family was surprised at him making the dinner and they asked how he knew how. Right on the range was the recipe box and he pulled out the recipe I had given him. That was the reward!

I also started a recipe book for their daughter for her first birthday. For the event I was asked to bring macaroni salad, which is a favorite of our son's. I wrote a note what the occasion was and that this was his request for her celebration. The dinner where chili was served was the occasion to announce that we would be grandparents again. When our son's daughter was baptized, I gave her a silver cup as I had for our children and since I still had our son's, I wrapped it up and gave it to him on that occasion to make it even more special. It was one of those speechless times. I believe the children now look forward to what they will be getting next.

Another idea that was a hit--our younger daughter is a shoe "freak." As soon as she left for work one morning, I gathered up at least four shopping bags of shoes, boots and slippers. Her marching boots from the band, her Scooby Doo slippers, her ballet shoes, her cleats from hockey, her shoes she wore when working at Pizza Hut with holes in the soles. I took them to a girlfriend who had her own photography studio. She took pictures of each pair in different positions and made an album for me to give our daughter for Christmas. That was a major hit. It was a visual history of her activities through high school.

Thanks to Vivian for today's Quick Tip! If you have a tip you would like to share with researchers, you can send it to:ADNeditor@ancestry.com

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