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Creative Gifts for Our Loved Ones

How we turned our time and talents into meaningful gifts for family and friends

by: Lucy Hood, from: AARP VIVA, Winter 2011‒2012

Artist's touch

"When I craft a gift, I think of what the person would appreciate."
—Marisa Zanganeh, photo director

— Illustration by: Greg Clarke

Marisa uses her keen artist's eye when choosing gifts for friends and family. She mulls over their tastes, sensibilities and colors before she begins making a handcrafted present.

For instance, she visited a former high school classmate in Atlanta, where she conducted a private photo shoot for her friend's newborn baby girl. Marisa then matted and framed the photo to suit the home decor. The gift now hangs in the family room. For Father's Day this June, Marisa created a card for her dad, writing a thoughtful, loving message using calligraphy and drawing a quiet summer scene. "Spending time on a gift is what's important," she says.

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Smart gift-giving ideas

Charitable Giving. Make a donation in your loved one's name to a favorite cause. Check charities out at sites such as Charity Navigator or GuideStar.

Travel. Whet someone's love of travel with airline gift cards. Choose an airline that goes to a favorite destination, whether to visit family or take a dream trip.

Finance. For children who have enough stuff, put money into savings reserved for college. Consult a financial adviser for the best strategy, considering your budget and the economy.

Technology. Give the avid — or reticent — reader an e-reader or tablet, set up to get books free in English or Spanish from a local or online library.

Health. For an ill loved one and the caregivers, buy a whiteboard and markers, and improvise a system to notate the time, dose and administration of medicine.

Nutrition. For the foodie in your life, print out healthy recipes for each month and buy 12 bottles of wine to match. Check recipes with a Latin flavor by chef Denisse Oller.