ALT-1 Inexpensive Gifts you can Make
Modern technology has allowed us the wonderful ability to make affordable, simple, and personal gifts. With just a digital camera, computer, CDs, and a little creativity we now have the many options for making personal and beautiful gifts at a fraction of the store cost.
Using Adobe Photoshop last year, for birthdays, Christmas, and other various events I made up wonderful collages for many family members and friends. I am always carrying my camera with me, which gives me an enormous collection of wonderful photos to use when putting these together. Adobe is simple to use, and has a wide array of templates to choose from. Making collages has never been easier. I do themes, such as sports, family get togethers, and inspirational, depending on whom or what the collage is for. Once I have the photos in place, I save the collage to my computer, and then send it to ARTTEC.COM and have it printed in various mediums. Anything from regular photo paper to watercolor, to heavy duty canvas, in a wide variety of sizes. It's so wonderful to put your thoughts, and feelings into a glorious display of affection for those you love!
Another inexpensive way to express what someone means to you, is through the use of burning your own personal CDs. I often make up CDs for friends with songs that have meant something to us over the years. Or when a friend is feeling down and out, I will put together what I have now labeled as an "Aspirin" CD. Instead of popping a Tylenol or going to see the therapist, I tell them to listen to the CD I have made for them, and hopefully it will put a smile on their face, and let them know they are loved and not alone. Or maybe on Valentine's Day I would make up a CD full of sexy, love songs, just from me to him. That will definitely put up both in the mood. Other ideas, are crazy kids songs, old folk songs, and music with funny lyrics that I make up for my many nieces and nephews. They think their humorous, and I love to bring new tunes into their lives and expose them to the many wonderful artists out there, in a fun way that they will enjoy.
Instead of buying cards at the drug store, I also use Adobe Photoshop to make up my own cards with my own photos. I do the same kind of collages, but on a smaller scale, save it to my computer and then using Walmart.com, I order cards with my own poetry, sayings and letters for my friends on every occasion I can get. They are only $1.50 per card, and can be shipped to the nearest Walmart with no shipping. Cards alone today are expensive. Anywhere from $4.00 to $6.00. Why not make one yourself, and have it say exactly what you need it too.
These are just a couple of the personalized, inexpensive ideas that I have incorporated into my life, via modern technology. With a little creativity and a lot of love, the ideas and inspiration is virtually endless.
