More Holiday Shopping Ideas

By Christina VanGinkel

If you have somebody on your holiday shopping list that is extremely hard to buy for, do not despair. I have an excellent gift idea for them if they are the least bit interested in photography in general.

Put them together a scrapbook kit, filled with everything they could possibly need or want to get their photographs from their camera or computer, into beautiful scrapbooks ready to share with family and friends.

Shopping list:

Note: When choosing papers, embellishments, and glue, look for tags that read acid free, or acid and lignin free, as anything that your photographs would be in direct contact with should be free of chemicals that may damage your treasured photos.

One 12" x 12" blank scrapbook (one of the most common sizes and perfectly sized to place out on a coffee table for sharing) with pages that are both removable and can be placed in page protectors.
Page protectors
One smaller format scrapbook, perfect for carrying along places to show off their latest and favorite snapshots
An assortment of paper in both plain and patterned backgrounds in a variety of sizes, such as 12" x 12" for the background of a large layout, down to scrap pack sizes for mounting pictures on without having to cut the paper down to size. Be warned though, that buying scrapbook paper is similar to eating potato chips... It is hard to buy just a sheet or two of paper, the same as it is hard to each just one chip. Paper comes in so many colors and designs that one can literally spend hours just deciding on what sheet or pack to buy next!
An assortment of stickers, die cuts, and other page embellishments
Glue
Tweezers (A pair of reverse tension ones work great for pulling up and applying embellishments right where you want them on your layout.
Scissors with both a plain edge and fancy edges for making decorative cuts
Paper cutter

Additional Ideas

To make the kit even more fun filled, also include Fiskar's ScrapBoss or ShapeBoss Embosser. They both come with stencils and a case/worktop to both store stencils in and a secure area to place the stencils on while working with. Pegs, which are included in the kits, easily push into place to hold the stencil you are working with securely in place. The ScrapBoss also comes with two double-sided styluses for creating the embossed designs, while the ShapeBoss comes with one. Both are a great way to add personalization to your photograph's mats, both in a scrapbook or for traditional framing methods.

Stamp sets with inkpads are always fun to use when embellishing pages. Give a couple in themes that fit the recipient, or a set of alphabet ones so they can easily create their own titles.

There are numerous Scrapbook magazines and books on the market. They are perfect for both inspiration and ideas to get your gift recipient motivated. Choose a few to complete the gift, or give a gift subscription to keep your gift giving and inspiring long after the gift wrap is gone.