Last week we looked at incorporating heirloom lace and crochet into pottery. This week, in Ms. Jeannie’s unique Holiday Gift guide that aims to combine the old with the new, she is highlighting handwriting and all the magical ways you can incorporate the penmanship of  ancestors into a contemporary gift.

Idea No. 2 – Handwritten Gifts

The gift of a word can hold profound meaning. And when you see those words written in their owner’s own unique way it adds an entirely new level of depth and emotion to a gift. A custom necklace that replicates the exact handwriting of an ancestor makes for incredibly sentimental presentation and keeps loved ones close at heart…

Everybody who enjoys cooking knows that family recipes are the source of stories and memories just as much as they are the source of good food. If you are looking for a special host or hostess gift for your best gourmet, this one combines a treasured handwritten family recipe with a very useful kitchen apron. This is a gift they can be used every day of the year!

Enlarge a piece of beautifully scripted mail, a journal entry or an antique love letter for a unique piece of wall art…

Or enlarge an old family land deed or immigration document like these below. Old plats, sales receipts, contracts and assorted paper ephemera from the 1700’s and 1800’s are gorgeous in all their weathered glory with scripted fonts, aged paper and range of neutral colors. No two look alike!

Old documents pertaining to family history can be found online at ancestry.com or on file at  local libraries and historical foundations. These make especially great gifts for anyone who has recently moved into a new house, started a new business venture or just needs a little visual reminder that great things are possible.

When looking through old cards or letters, if a poetic sentence jumps out at you or if one of your family members was always known to say a certain phrase, or lend certain words of encouragement, pay tribute to their mindeset by keeping their thoughts alive, in their own handwriting, on a decorative pillow that can be incorporated into a variety of different decor situations…

With these handwritten gift ideas, you’ll only be the bearer of good news this holiday season! And just  like gift idea No. 1 your recipient will be able to enjoy these items the whole year through.  It’s the 12 week holiday countdown – stay tuned next week for gift idea No. 3 🙂