Gifts | A Framed Letter

It's that time of year again, folks. Holiday season or as I like to call it "the gift-getting crunch between Thanksgiving and Christmas."  I don't know about you but if there is one thing that stresses me out it's finding the perfect gifts for my loved ones.  Every year I inevitably end up waiting until the last minute for a few purchases then end up making hasty decisions.  But not this year!  Nope.  This girl has got her act together and has already purchased a handful of gifts.  And these aren't you average run of the mill mall gifts, they're thoughtful and legit.  My goal this year is to try to personalize each and every gift I buy.  First on the list, dadder (translation: my dad).  Lucky for you, he only reads this blog when I email him the link so I get to share his Christmas with all of you. 

When my grandmother passed away earlier this year she left me a box full of my father's childhood memorabilia. Sorting through the piles of Birthday cards, report cards, and letters from boarding school and Vietnam has really helped me understand how my dad came to be the man he is today.  Take the framed letter pictured above, for example.  It was written by my father's nursery school teacher in June 1950.  The first line reads, "Towne is a good looking youngster with a sturdy, well-proportioned body."  Seriously?  That sentence alone makes the piece frame worthy.  That and the fact that I'm pretty sure my dad has never seen this letter.  I can't wait to see the look on his face when he opens it!

So back to the point of this post.  I encourage you, dear readers, to think outside the box this holiday season.  Something as simple as a framed letter or card will make a great addition to an art collection and will serve as a constant reminder of family.  After all, that is what the holidays are about, right?

(images 1 a letter from Estée Lauder to her grandaughter, Aerin / 2-4 letters found throughout Kate + Andy Spade's home / 5 my father's Christmas gift)