by Erin Yorke

Created on: December 29, 2005   Last Updated: April 23, 2007

A very old photo showing Grandma, Grandpa, or some other loved elder doing something from yesteryear makes a great heirloom gift because it is both historic and personal, For example, my grandmother has a lovely black and white framed photo of her mother playing in the sand with her brothers at aged 2. This is over a hundred years old. In an age where many people couldn afford to take pictures of their kids at play, this is something special. Other good heirlooms include antique toys im good condition or old versions of Mickey Mouse, Superman, and other items that are both fun to have and possibly fianncially valuable should the recipient choose to sell it.

Practical amd or beautiful gifts you make your self may also come to be heirlooms if they are made to last. For example, I made a beautiful cross stitch design of three realistic-looking bunnies curled up together in the bottom of a Christmas stocking under a moonlit sky with a wreath, candy cane bars, and shadows of buildings. I gave this to my 20 month old niece because she loves bunnies. Once I made a white bunny for my little brother when he was about the same age. My artistic family also loves photography, painting, and woodworking. My father made furniture and a cabinet, and my Mom has sewed all kinds of things that are practical and/ or beautiful. Some of these gifts will certainly be passed down to future generations as family heirlooms.

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