Accomplishment As Artwork

You are faced with one of the biggest gift giving dilemmas in
your life, what to give your parents for their 50th wedding
anniversary. Every year your siblings have always trumped your
expensive and practial gifts for your parents birthday,
christmas, and anniversary. This time, for their 50th
anniversary, you want to give them the gift they will never
forget.

The Gift Idea Challenge

Every year your brothers and sisters always seem to give your
parents that perfect gift. You have tried everything for your
parents birthday, Christmas, and anniversary, but always seem to
come in second place in the gift giving competition. You have
tried the expensive gifts (e.g. vacations, jewelry) and the
practical gifts (e.g. television, gift certificates). For their
one and only special 50th wedding anniversary you need to give
them a unique gift that makes an emotional impact.

What Makes A Great 50th Anniversary Gift

Okay. You have thrown down the gauntlet. For your parents 50th
anniversary you are going to give them a gift that will knock
their socks off. But what makes a great 50th anniversary gift?
The gift should be:

* Unique and Personal - This gift should be one of a kind,
something that cannot be duplicated. Expensive and practical
gifts, although may be initially appreciated, have no
personality of their own.

* Reflective - It should be representative not only on their 50
plus years together, but should illustrate the love and
companionship they have shown each other, and taught their
children.

* Perpetual - This gift is something that will last them the
rest of their life and can be enjoyed time after time.

Photo Video Montage - A Great 50th Anniversary Gift

“I saw my father only cry twice. Once when his mother died, and
when he viewed the Living Scrapbook® we did for him”. That is
it, I want to give a gift like that you exclaim! But what is a
Living Scrapbook®?

A Living Scrapbook® is one the brand names for what is commonly
called a photo video montage, or DVD scrapbook. It is a
collection of pictures set to music.

Can’t I make my own Photo Video Montage / DVD Scrapbook?

Yes, anyone with the correct equipment and experience can. In
order to accomplish the same professional results the typical
home computer would need an additional $4,200 in audio/video
hardware and software upgrades. In addition you would have to
have 5+ years in multimedia integration. Just like pouring
cement, anyone can do it however for it to look professional,
you need to use a service with the right equipment and
experience.

Selecting A Photo Montage / DVD Scrapbook Company

There are many companies offering photo montage/ DVD scrapbooks
services for anniversary gifts. Let the buyer beware; many of
them are frustrated artists or videographers who own a computer
and work out of their homes. When selecting a company to work
with for your parents 50th anniversary consider their:

* Experience

* References

* Product Quality

Companies like Living Scrapbooks ® provide a unique service that
is akin to professional film editing and documentary services.
Presentations should be carefully storyboarded, with digital
motion (pan and/or zoom) selected based on the natural flow of
each picture. Beware of companies that only offer a slide show
with a musical background; you should request a demo of their
services!

How Do I Gather the Materials?

In order to prepare a photo montage / DVD scrapbook, you need
photos, video footage, newspaper clippings, and mementoes.
Organize it like chapters in a book, e.g. “Dating Years”,
“Vacation”, etc. A good web site for more information can be
found at “Building A Better Video Scrapbook” at http://livingscrapbo
oks.blogspot.com.

The Gift Presentation

Now that have selected your pictures and music, and had a
company like Living Scrapbooks® prepare your unique emotional
50th anniversary gift, now what? If you are having the 50th
anniversary at a hall, contact them for the availability of a
digital projector. This will allow you to connect a DVD player
and project it on a movie screen or blank white wall. If your
hall does not have a projector, ask your DJ (if you have one) or
look in the yellow pages.

Need More Convincing?

Putting together a photo video montage / DVD scrapbook does
take a small commitment of time on your part; you need to budget
time to select the photos, put them in order, and select music.
But is it worth it? If you want to give an unique gift that
makes an emotional impact it is!!! Take a look at some of the
testimonials of people who have at http://www.
livingscrapbooks.com/references.htm

As you can see, you can give the gift this time that will make
your brothers and sister jealous! Time to sit in that “favorite
child” chair! Good luck!

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BALLOONS - THE IDEAL GIFT

There are very few occasions in life where the gift of a balloon would not be appropriate. From Weddings, Christenings and Birthday parties to simply saying “I love you” or just to cheer someone up - balloons are the ideal gift.

Balloons come in all shapes and sizes, colours and designs. From plain coloured latex balloons, to multi coloured super shape foil balloons - it would be hard to think of a balloon design that doesn’t exist, however elaborate!

Latex balloons come in various sizes and most colour shades, they can be the usual “round” shape or heart or flowered shape etc. They can be filled with either air or helium and used singly or grouped together with some skill and know how to form simple but elegant table centrepieces or elaborate balloon sculptures. If you are hosting a small dinner party, then a simple 3 x latex balloon centrepiece would add the perfect finishing touch to your table. Have the balloons in your chosen colour theme to compliment the occasion.

Wedding receptions are wonderful opportunities for really going to town with balloon decorations - again, have them in colour shades and designs to compliment your wedding theme. Latex and/or foil balloons can then be arranged together as table centrepieces, archways, cloud 9’s (a special arrangement particularly suitable for the Top Table), heart sculptures - an ideal back drop for cutting the wedding cake- the list of possible designs is just endless. The plainest of venues can be transformed by the skilful balloon artist, using their skills and experience to ensure your special day is even more memorable and your once in a life time wedding photos are even more beautiful.

Children’s parties - another ideal balloon occasion. Every child loves a balloon - from a simple colourful latex balloon used for games to a foil balloon with their favourite cartoon character on it. Why not give a balloon to each child at the end of the party in place of the usual goody bag? The balloon will last longer than those sweets and doesn’t contain all that sugar!

Of course, although balloons are fun and exciting, there are safety aspects that must be considered, especially around children. Balloons should not be blown up by young children for obvious reasons. Adults should supervise children with balloons to ensure they are not being put in their mouth, an obvious choking hazard. Balloons filled with helium hold another serious safety issue. The inhalation of helium is very dangerous as it can cause asphyxiation and death, neither children nor adults should attempt to inhale helium. As long as these safety issues are noted and adhered to, balloons can be a safe and fun accompaniment to any event/function.

You don’t have to have a party to give a balloon as a gift, why not just give one to that special someone just to let them know you care? Balloons can come decorated with all sorts of special messages; I love you, You’re Special, Special Mum, Miss You, Get Well Soon, Happy Birthday, Happy Anniversary etc, the list just goes on and on. To make the gift extra special, why not have the balloon delivered in a box? When the lid is lifted from the box, the balloon and so your special message, floats up to bring a smile to the face of the recipient.

Balloons make ideal gifts to send to people in hospital, many wards no longer accept flower deliveries so, instead, send a bouquet of balloons! The balloons won’t wilt in the heat of the hospital and they will cheer up the patients and staff alike by brightening up the ward.

New Baby? Then why not send a cuddly toy with a balloon attached, or a bouquet of balloons or even an air walker balloon for extra impact, in order to announce the new arrival. A new mum will not have time for arranging a vase of flowers, but the gift of the balloon requires no effort on her part and will be remembered for a long time.

Ever heard of a “Gift-in-a-Balloon”? This is a spectacular way of presenting your special gift. As long as the gift is not too sharp, big or heavy, (all of which risk popping the balloon!) it can be arranged on a bed of coloured tissue paper inside of the balloon and topped off with a beautiful bow and cascading ribbons. Cuddly toys make the ideal gift to go in a balloon, but other suitable gifts include chocolates, jewellery, lingerie, small bottles of champagne, even gift vouchers, the list is as endless as your imagination.

As this has demonstrated, balloons can be as exciting and imaginative as you allow them to be - the simplest of venues can be transformed to your desired theme or you can simply bring a smile to some ones day with the gift of a balloon. Opportunities for the use of balloons as decorations and gifts are endless. Talk to your local Balloon Artist and see what dazzling displays can be achieved with the use of balloons. Balloons- the perfect accompaniment to every occasion!

By Heidi Howard http://www.balloon-bouquets.co.uk