The ultimate wedding day groom gift

Bound with love

Decided to exchange presents on the day of your wedding but now wondering what the heck could possibly live up to your love for your soon-to-be spouse?

Go above and beyond the go-to watch gift with a one-of-a-kind heirloom book that spells out your love—and gratitude—for your groom.

We have taken the idea of a meaningful groom gift to new heights with this luxury book offering. Through a 90-minute in-person interview, I will help you find the words and sentiments to shape your love story, then craft an elegant extended letter to your groom. Your words, your photos, elevated into a gift destined to become your first family heirloom.

“To my love”

Designed with your style in mind and finished with the most exquisite materials, this is the ultimate gift for the one you love—guaranteed to make him feel connected to you on this momentous occasion. (Oh, and did we mention that the big reveal will make for some of the most emotionally beautiful wedding day photos, too?!).

Whether you are an over-the-top emoter or a reserved bride unsure how to express your feelings, we will help you craft your words to best express your joy and gratitude for this next chapter of your life—and for the man you have chosen to share it with.

Your wedding day is once-in-a-lifetime, the start of the next chapter of your lives together—so why not set the tone early with a gift that is as personal as it gets?

Groom gift details

Modern Heirloom Books’ “To My Groom” offering:

• is the most personal wedding day gift you could give.

• combines photos from your lives together—even a handful of childhood photos of you both—with the words you would like to say.

• is the best way to express all that you feel, from gratitude and joy to love and awe, from the littlest things you love about him (that his socks almost always make it into the laundry bin?) to the most profound (that he was willing to move across the globe for your job!).

• sets a thoughtful tone for your special day.

• ensures your wedding day gift exchange photos will be beyond compare!

• is destined to become your first family heirloom.

Time frame:

Depending upon the book materials you choose, the process could take from one to three months to complete. Don’t worry, though—your time commitment is minimal (one 90-minute interview plus an hour or so gathering photos). Rush orders available (fee applies).

Wedding planning is hectic and time-consuming; creating this gift for your groom is sure to be an enjoyable respite from the chaos—and will remind you of why you have chosen this path in the first place!

Learn more about our Ultimate Groom Gift

• Learn more about this offering—including cost, time frame, and possible themes—on our Ultimate Groom Gift product page.

• Get even more details on our Groom Gift FAQ page.

• Set up a consultation to speak with me about your ideas and see how we might work together.

P.S.

Of course this book can be created for anyone! From bride to groom, groom to groom—from you to the partner whom you adore. I am an open-hearted listener adept at helping clients get to the essence of their feelings—and expressing them beautifully. Who do you love?

Finding the love in Valentine’s Day

3 Simple Ways to Make Valentine’s Day as Special as It Was When You Were a Kid

I’ve never been one who appreciates holidays that, to me, feel forced. You know: New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day… I am too conscious of the commercialism surrounding these days. The irony is that I am not an especially cynical person—but I want to know that a card with an “I love you” sentiment is coming from the heart, not a heart-shaped, guilt-inducing ad.

I don’t want to seem like a February scrooge, though, so I’ve come up with 3 ways that likeminded folks can mark the day with meaning.

Write a love letter.

Have you ever written a love letter? With handwritten notes completely falling by the wayside in our text-driven world, getting one is more special than ever.

You might want to go all out, writing a heartfelt missive on luscious stationery and decorating it with a romantic wax seal.

If that seems old-fashioned or intimidating, here’s an idea that I came up with early in my own relationship with my husband: Write a list of 20 things you love about the person. Include things big and small, emotional and funny. Details get extra credit (don’t say “I love the way you hug me,” but say, “I love the way you hold me for a few extra seconds when I try to pull away from a hug,” or “I love the way you lift me up just a little bit every time we hug”). If you make this an annual tradition (I admit I did it on birthdays, not Valentine’s Day), it can be surprising which things get repeated and what new things you come up with.

If you merely write this on a yellow legal pad with no adornment, I guarantee it will still be saved and cherished by the recipient. I chose to typeset it and shrink it down to credit card size, then have it laminated; what better thing could your loved one serendipitously pull out of his or her wallet one day in the future?

Spread the love.

I am willing to bet that for many of us, our happiest Valentine’s Days happened when we were kids. I have lots of fond memories of exchanging paper valentines with my classmates, of folding red construction paper in half to craft hearts for the refrigerator, and even wearing pink to school to honor the day. Those were the days when everyone could “be mine,” when as third graders we weren’t hoping and praying for that special someone to take notice…when we loved everyone.

Why not spread some of that all-encompassing love around in unexpected ways? Buy a pack of punny Valentines from the drugstore and hand them out to people you interact with regularly: the school crossing guard, the gas station attendant, the conductor who checks your ticket on your morning commute? There’s something cheeky about it (I’m pretty sure none of the recipients will mistake your “Choo choo…I choose you!” sentiments as being literal ; ), but there’s something genuine, too—an unexpected “I see you,” and “I am grateful.”

Attach a $5 gift card for your local coffee house and you’ll really make someone’s day.

Rediscover favorite Valentines.

Do you have a stash of letters and old paperwork in a box somewhere? You felt compelled to save the things within, but chances are you haven’t revisited them in a while. Once you remember where the box actually is (good luck!), dust it off, and dive in.

What did you find?

I hope you, like I did, discover artifacts that

• bring back heartfelt memories

• stir emotions

• make you laugh

• inspire you to record your memories, share stories with a loved one, or even just pick up the phone to reconnect with an old Valentine.

It’s my job to recommend that you find a way to preserve these mementos (scan them for a digital archive, include them in an heirloom book, or follow archivist Margot Note’s advice for creating your family archive). That said, I think it’s equally important to just cherish these items: pull them out of their box every once in a while, let their touch bring back memories, and let those memories encourage you to call someone who might also relish your stories.

Story sharing leads to connection.

Does this seem like an odd blog post to appear on the site of an heirloom bookmaker? Maybe, but just maybe not—I hope you are here, after all, because memories matter to you, and because stories and mementos that spark reminiscence lead to genuine connection.

The books I create are meant to be revisited often, to become a living heirloom that encourages interaction. That compels readers to say, “Remember when…” and “That’s just like the time….” That inspires them to relate, and to share their own stories.

So, happy Valentine’s Day to you and yours—may you give and receive genuine affections that are one day looked back on fondly!

Special Ideas for Special Moms: More Unique Mother's Day Book Ideas

Last week we shared five ideas for creating the most special gifts for Mother's Day, including

• a book of food memories and family recipes;

• a book collecting letters and notes from loved ones telling mom (or Grandma!) how much she is appreciated;

• and a photo-driven book that goes well beyond #ThrowbackThursday to capture and preserve those special moments throughout the year that, all together, make up the stories of your life.

Now we present a few ideas geared specifically to three distinct parent groups: expecting moms, moms of multiples, and adoptive mothers.

While any woman would no doubt appreciate whichever book you had customized with her in mind, these ideas hone in on their particular experiences, and just may be the most unique gift ideas for Mother's Day around. 

For Pregnant Moms: The First Nine Months Book

Parents are diligent about recording baby's milestones, from that first word spoken to those first tentative steps taken. What about the first kick inside mom's belly? Or the mom-to-be's craziest craving? More importantly, what about all the hopes and dreams parents begin to have the moment their baby is conceived? Encourage your expecting loved one to give voice to the dreams she holds for her child, the vision she has for her burgeoning family, for the parent she'd like to be.

To tell her unique pregnancy story, we'll conduct brief interviews throughout mom's pregnancy, and provide easy-to-answer questions for which she and dad can jot down answers, even record quick sound bites on their smart phone while on the go. We make it easy for the prospective parents to record their pregnancy journey.

This one's a gift for the mother, no doubt—she'll cherish the time she sets aside to ponder her baby!—but it's as much a future gift for your child. Just imagine: In addition to the traditional baby book, your child will have mom's memories of a time when the possibilities were endless—and love was brand new. Make her FIRST Mother's Day one to remember.

For Moms of Multiples: Twice Upon a Time 

Or thrice upon a time. Whether the special woman in your life is a mother of twins, triplets, quadruplets, or more (!), her memory books will overflow with love.

Because all our books are completely customized, we work with parents to create just the right books. No need to search for a baby memory book that includes only the things you want in the style you want (an impossible task, to be sure!). 

Perhaps you'd like one book that celebrates your kids' togetherness, likenesses, and adventures alongside sections that call out each child's unique nature and personality. We've got you covered. Or maybe you'd like a three-volume set for your triplets, consisting of three slim books, one for each child, beautifully presented in a slipcase.

A photo-driven book comes to life when we include excerpts from an interview with the parents—or even letters you have written to your babies, bits of advice or wisdom you think of while nursing them or watching them sleep. Set up a free consultation to share how you envision your multiples' memory book—and let us help you make it a reality.

For Adoptive Mothers: Adoption Story Book

As an adult adoptee, I find myself wanting to hear my adoption story just one more time—although it is more like a million more times. Hearing it was simply never enough. I wanted to have something I could visually remember, or an experience that I could always look back on. I wanted to flip page after page and see how two people, once strangers, took a leap of faith to adopt me and became my heroes. They are my parents. I want to remember...

Written by Jessenia Arias on Adoption.net, those words resonate deeply, and bring home to many just how important preserving one's adoption story is, both for the children and for the family as a whole.

In addition to the memories and photos from the parents' journey, spiritual and physical, we'll include a visual timeline, a map for international adoptions, excerpts from journals or diaries kept during the often long process of adopting a child.

This is a book that can be undertaken at the inception of the adoption process, in which case we'll provide worksheets for keeping meaningful notes and dates, and suggest what types of photos and memorabilia might be most appreciated down the road. Or it can be completed years after a child has become part of your family—while piecing together the timeline and accessing some of the more raw memories may be challenging, you'll have the added perspective wrought by time.

Preserving adoption stories is important in helping foster connections and understanding between adopted children and parents. Flipping through the pages of a book—a book that shows just how valued, how wanted, and how special the adopted children are—is a helpful conversation starter when children reach an age of questioning, of searching for identity. Most of all, the adoption story is a gift to every member of the family, one that documents and celebrates the biggest gift of all.

P.S. This is an auspicious Father's Day gift, too, and it's never too soon to reach out to get the ball rolling!

The best Mother’s Day gift ever: memories

Moms want memories. To know that they are loved, and considered. Why not give her what she wants this year?

We're all about preserving your most precious family memories in the most grand style. From a family history book to a tribute book in honor of a deceased loved one, our heirloom books make the most unique gifts. 

To get you started thinking about the best Mother's Day gift for your mom, we've put together five ideas for Mother’s Day books. Choose one of these to make you the hero this Mother's Day, or be inspired to create your own idea for a tribute book for the most special woman in your life.

1  Taste of the Past: Family Recipe Book

Here's one of our most straightforward book ideas! Handwritten recipes passed down through generations, plus stories of family meals, celebrations, and treats, artfully packaged for a truly sweet gift. The tastes and aromas of our favorite foods stir the memory, and provide an excellent jumping-off point for sharing family stories.

Don't worry, you don't have to do the legwork: Buy your mom (or another beloved mother in your life!) a gift certificate, and we'll lovingly package a beribboned wooden spoon with our “Recipe for a Successful Mother's Day.”

2  Love Letters: Tribute Book to Mom

Let’s get letters­­—written by hand, not via text­­—with notes both funny and poignant addressed to Mom. We will craft a mini­-tribute in honor of the holiday, or spend considerable time perusing old journals and letters to flesh out a more substantive story.

This book is a wonderful option for large or scattered families, and can be put together more quickly than some—so for you last-minute holiday shoppers out there, get on it!

3  Wedding Book Redux

Is your parents’ wedding album dated or damaged? It’s almost certainly not digital. We’ll scan, restore, and color correct their wedding images, then design a modern coffee table book with a digital companion for posterity. Turning your parents' fading wedding album into an archival heirloom book—now that's a Mother's Day idea we bet you hadn't thought of yet.

4  Conversations with Grandma

Wouldn't you love to know your mom's and grandmom's stories? In their own words?! Beyond the few tales you may have heard around the dinner table 20 years ago...? We’ll conduct the interviews, gather memorabilia, and find the narrative thread that resonates. The resulting book promises to be beyond your (and her) dreams.

For this Mother's Day gift idea, we suggest you get your loved one a gift certificate that will get her started on the journey of sharing her stories. Because honestly, it's that journey that your grandmother (or mother) will enjoy as much as the final book: Sharing stories and memories can be wonderfully gratifying, and often healing.

5  Favorite Photos Through the Years

Why let all those amazing family photos and #ThrowbackThursday posts flounder on social media? The flood of “likes” are gratifying, but they lack permanence. A series of nostalgic pictures will be a brag book for the ages, especially for the grandmothers on your list. Check out this Instagram book we did for one New York City mom for inspiration, or gather a random array of old photographs that have been sitting in drawers and boxes for far too long (trust me, they don’t need to have been posted to social media at all!). Honor your photographs and memories of motherhood by preserving them this Mother's Day!

How to get your Mother's Day gift from Modern Heirloom Books

Mother's Day this year falls on Sunday, May 9, 2021.

If you are interested in preparing a book that you can actually gift to your mother, grandmother, or other special mom in your life on that day, it's crucial that you contact us now to get the ball rolling. While we can work fairly quickly, all of our books are handcrafted and take time to create.

A gift certificate with details about the project can be elegantly packaged for a Mother's Day gift that holds the promise of even more to come.

1. Call our founder Dawn Roode to discuss what Mother's Day gift book option you are interested in, learn about next steps, or to purchase a gift certificate now.

2. Or fill out this quick form to set up a free half-hour consultation to discuss your questions, time frame, or project ideas.

I look forward to helping you celebrate the special mothers in your life!

Bonus: More Mother’s Day book ideas—for “special” moms

In addition to the ideas above, which may be appropriate for a wide spectrum of mothers, we've also come up with a few ideas for particular women in your life—adoptive mothers, moms-to-be, and moms of twins.

*The original post was published before Mother’s Day 2017. It was updated for timeliness and accuracy on March 31, 2021.

Your search for “unique bridal shower gifts from the parents” ends here

What did you feel when your daughter announced that she was engaged? Pride, astonishment, an overflow of emotions? Tears of joy? You’re not alone.

And while registering at Crate & Barrel and Bloomingdale’s followed by an at-home champagne toast is a memorable (if exhausting) outing, why not consider a wedding shower gift that will truly move her: our signature “Dear Daughter, on Your Wedding Day,” an heirloom book honoring the girl she was—the one you nurtured and watched blossom—and the woman she has become.

During your daughter’s engagement period, it’s inevitable that you’ll both be reflecting on her journey. Let yourself relish the memories. Pull out those old boxes of photos, the family albums, her baby book. Remember what she was like as a precocious toddler, an awkward tween, a graceful graduate. What characteristics did she inherit from you? What surprised you about her choices over the years?

Designing a Book in Honor of Your Daughter for Her Wedding Shower

Modern Heirloom Books can help you stitch the memories and observations together into a cohesive and emotional narrative. Together we will identify the most evocative pictures and prepare them for print. We’ll even help you identify gaps in the visual storyline and come up with creative ways to fill them in—sending your daughter’s bronzed baby shoes or old lovey to a professional photographer for inclusion in the book, for instance. Or helping you stage your own shots of framed images on your mantel or, say…her favorite comfort food!

Maybe we plan a “secret” get-together with a photographer and your daughter’s siblings and closest friends to take their portraits and record their favorite memories of your daughter as a child.

We’ll select a book style based on your daughter’s personality: Perhaps a Victorian damask fabric cover encased in a matching sheath box for your romantic girl, or a luxurious velvet-covered book with silver foil stamping for your traditional child. An array of rich leathers, Japanese silks, textured fabrics, and other unique design options offers something for every bride-to-be.

So before your daughter walks down the aisle, and before you get caught up in the storm of wedding favors and seating charts, why not embark upon a nostalgic journey that ends with a perfect wedding shower gift from the parents? (It’s an especially touching gift when crafted by a Daddy for his all-grown-up girl!)

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Set up a consultation to see how we can work together.
To have the most efficient conversation, know your timeline (when would you need the book?) and consider where your photos are (you might be surprised that they're not always on hand!). Oh...

...and CONGRATULATIONS on your daughter's impending nuptials!