Gifts: Make It Personal – Art on Cheesecake and Poetry

Good morning, Live Better than a Billionaire-a-Holics!

When I was in the second grade, one of my classmates, Richard Hodges, made me a valentine rather than giving me one that he bought. It was a very nice touch and I appreciated it very much. Since then, I’ve come to enjoy many other personalized gifts that I treasure as memories.

One year an artist friend, Tobi Kahn, wanted me to come visit him in his studio on my birthday. I wasn’t eager to do so, but he encouraged me to come because he had a special surprise for me. After enjoying the art he wanted to show me, he brought out a cheesecake on which he had made a beautiful image like one of his paintings out of food coloring. He photographed the cheesecake, and we both dug in. The cheesecake tasted almost as good as it looked.

My wife enjoys writing poetry for special occasions. Everyone I know who has ever been gifted with one of her poems has framed the poem and hung it up for continuing enjoyment.

I love sending people birthday cards, and I’ve even had some special ones designed by an artist that I often send. One year my staff decided to surprise me by contacting everyone they could think of to send me a personalized card. They saved the cards for my birthday party at a company retreat. I received hundreds of delightful messages on hand-made cards, and it was one of the most heart-warming experiences of my life.

To many people personalized gifts are those that have your initials or name engraved or sewn on the item. That's not what I mean, although those personalizations can be a nice touch.

Imagine the poor billionaire. She or he can buy almost anything they want. And I'm sure that lovely gifts are received. But how personalized are those gifts? Does Donald Trump receive hairnets dyed to match and protect his coiffure that are designed by Ralph Lauren as gifts from Mr. Lauren? And what about gift-giving? Does the busy billionaire have time to give unique, relevant personal gifts? Does The Donald frame and save copies of his bankruptcy petitions for his casinos as birthday presents for his staff? Does he send his ex-wives hand-framed copies of their divorce decrees done in his own calligraphy? Hopefully, he keeps it positive instead. Maybe some things just don't work as well as personalized gifts. Hmmm.

Somehow, when the recipient isn't wealthy, we're more likely to make it personal and positive and to make it ourselves. I think that's a richer choice, don't you?

You might enjoy hearing about a unique gift that my father-in-law received for his 75th birthday that he has treasured ever since. Perhaps you can do the same for someone you know. My mother-in-law found a World War II photograph of him as a slim young man with hair wearing his Army uniform. My wife borrowed the photograph, had it blown up to life size and mounted the photograph on a thick piece of framing material so that it could stand alone. The image was then on display on an easel during the party. Everyone at the party autographed the photograph in the white space around the image. My father-in-law keeps this wonderful memento right beside the exercise bicycle in their apartment where both his wife and he can enjoy it when they work out.

What wonderfully personal gift can you give Dad for Father's Day this year? You have just enough time to get busy!

Donald W. Mitchell, Your Dream Concierge

Copyright 2005 Donald W. Mitchell

Be sure to check out my blog dated May 16, 2005 on how to plan Your Dad's Best Father's Day! and May 30, 2005 on Plan Your Best Fourth of July!