Picture Perfect Holiday Gifts for the People You Love
Save up to 30% on your energy bills - click here to find out more
The stores are packed every year around this time
with people looking for the perfect gift for that special
someone in their life. But how much of an impression is
that serving platter, sweater or bottle of wine going
to make?
“Not much
of one,” says Paula Piper of Walnut Creek, Calif.
“The best present for someone you really care
about is one that’s personalized.” Piper
has been giving her husband, her kids and even herself
personalized presents for years.
Each time a holiday, birthday
or other special event rolls around, Piper presents
her family members with another custom-framed treasure.
“We recently moved into a new home and as a special
present to myself and my family, I had portraits of
each child custom framed. They’re now hanging
up in the hallway leading to my kids’ bedrooms.
Thanks to the presentation, they look more like works
of art than photographs.”
“That’s the beauty
of custom framing,” says Kim Ahern of the Art
and Framing Council. “It exponentially enhances
the beauty of a piece by allowing you to showcase the
photograph, painting, collectible or memorabilia that’s
important to you. Custom framing makes whatever you
frame uniquely yours and preserves it for years to come.
It then becomes a family heirloom.”
Ahern also points out that custom
framing lends itself well to matters of the heart. Sentimental
things like wedding invitations, wine labels and roses
can be preserved and given to loved ones to commemorate
special occasions. When holidays and birthdays loom,
your custom-framed pieces make great one-of-a-kind gifts
for family and friends. Just be sure to get your items
to your framer at least two weeks before you need them,
she adds.
One of Piper’s favorite
framed photos in her home is a picture she took of her
9-year-old daughter. “Cydney is a competitive
gymnast and we took a precious photo of her doing a
split in a field of grass and flowers. I had the image
matted in shades of purple to bring out the purple flowers,
and behind the conservation glass, it really pops.”
When Piper’s family puts
up this year’s Christmas decorations, among them
will be a custom-framed shadow box featuring artwork
her daughter did in kindergarten. “I had a piece
of canvas she had painted along with a sketch she had
done of a candy cane framed with matting all around
it,” says Piper. “When she grows up and
has kids of her own some day, I’m sure it will
be precious to her.”
Ahern has a beloved heirloom of
her own, a custom framed collection of antique Christmas
ornaments that once belonged to her mother and grandmother.
“I had them custom framed so I don’t have
to worry about them getting broken,” she says.
Piper feels that "contrary
to popular belief, custom framing isn’t really
all that expensive." A good framer will work within
your budget and there are many different options. “I
take advantage of specials at my local frame shop and
don’t spend much more than I would have for a
really nice store-bought frame."
But, she concludes, "The
difference in price is really meaningless when you see
the end result."
|
