Dig Out Those Family Photos and Have Some Fun!

Holidays are such special times with family and friends and usually include lots of picture taking. While you focus on taking new pictures (see our quick tips noted in this article), why not also think about sharing "pictures from holidays past" with each other? Your traditions and heritage are probably recorded in your photographs, don't keep them in a box or in an album on a shelf!

Your old photos may help you with:

Traditions - your family probably has many. What are they and are they captured with photo? If so, bring the photos out and share these with your children and grandchildren. What a wonderful way to engage someone in conversation! Take a trip down memory lane and see what topics interest the younger ones in your family. What presents did you want when you were a kid? How did your parents celebrate the holidays?

Heritage - Any photos of your early holidays? Photos of you as a child to share? Old photos have lots of memories for you, but also hold stories and history that the younger ones in your family may never know, unless you share. Was school different then - got any photos? What childhood games did you play or what hobbies caught your interest? What foods did grandparents make for the holidays? Consider bringing out old photos to illustrate your life; your grandkids may be more interested than you think.

Gifts - Photos are a very personal and unique gift. We tend to wait until the "big events" like anniversaries, weddings, or retirements to choose a photo to be framed. There are so many inexpensive and beautiful frames available today, you can really personalize a gift for someone with a "fishing" or sports-themed frame, a colorful frame, or frame you decorate with paint or ribbon. Why not give a favorite photo of you and your grandchildren so they can keep it in their room?

Quick Tips for Better Photos