Willow Tree

Beyond the distinct framed photos on the wall, how do you preserve your family memories? Family photos, of course, represent a wonderful timeline, but there are many ways to remember happy moments. Finding the best display method just takes a little creativity and reflection on what family means to you and how you display that bond in your home. Instead of keeping memorable items tucked away in an attic or basement, be selective and thoughtful about how you want to display your favorite times together as a family. For some inspiration, here are a few creative ways to honor family bonds. Treasure Box Just for Family Vacations If you want to remember special summer family vacations, find a few items you can put into an artful memory or keepsake box to remember for years to come. Some examples of items you might want to put into a keepsake box include things like tiny shells from the Pacific Ocean, ticket stubs from Disneyland, dried flowers from Yellow stone, a key ...

A best friend can be defined in many ways. They’re someone close to you who you can always count on. A best friend is someone with whom you have a lot of fun. Best friends are trustworthy and genuine and accept you for who you are—life just wouldn’t be the same without them.  To celebrate the best friends in your life, be sure to mark your calendar for Saturday, June 8—National Best Friends Day. It’s a day to honor the ways best friends enrich our lives and make us better people. To honor and celebrate your friendship, here are a handful of thoughtful best friend gifts for you to consider. Decorative Books Since the early 20th century of Golden Age book design, beautiful books have long been collected as decorative objects for the home. You can add a special twist on this idea as a gift for your best friend. Have you seen those lovely faux books that look exactly like a book from the outside, but when opened can be used as a special place to store keepsakes...

On Friday, March 8, the world will come together to celebrate International Women’s Day, a holiday dedicated to celebrating the social, cultural, economic, and political achievements of women. It's also a day to celebrate the most important women in your life and thank them for all of their support and friendship over the years. Although a dedicated holiday, even once International Women’s Day has passed, celebrating the contributions that women have made in your life should be a year-round event. If you can't decide what to get these impactful women, here are a few gift ideas bound to put a smile on their face and make them feel appreciated. For Friends   Our friends, although not blood related, are some of the most important people in our lives. They’re the family members that we choose and are always by our side to lend a helping hand. Some of the best friend gifts are small things that serve as valuable treasures representing your friendship. This Inte...

Giving a gift to someone you love can be one of the most gratifying feelings for many people. Though some will associate the winter holidays as the exclusive gift-giving time of the year, gift-giving enthusiasts know that any time of year—holiday or not—is the perfect time to give a gift. So, if you’re looking for something to give a friend or loved one “just because,” here are a few great ideas that are sure to impress. Keepsake Boxes Buying your best friend gifts can be one of the most rewarding feelings. A great gift to give them during any time of the year is a cute keepsake box. Part of what makes a handcrafted keepsake box such a great gift is that you can store anything in them. Whether they need something to store their jewelry in or you fill the box with small mementos of your friendship, a thoughtful keepsake box is sure to be a treasured gift for any close friend. Sculptural Figures Sculptural figures are a great way to express your love and appreciat...

Many of us are familiar with the faith-based narrative behind Christmas. However, fewer of us know the origin of the Christmas gift, and specifically why we exchange gifts on or around December 25th each year. According to The Atlantic, s ome historians link the act of gifting back to the three wise men in the story of Jesus’s birth while others draw a connection back to the burgeoning upper class in New York City at the turn of the century. Regarding the latter point, historians explain that as New York’s wealthy population grew between 1800 and 1850, elites worked to move the December celebrations from the crowded urban streets into a more secluded and private home setting. As the Christmas celebration became a more insular celebration within the home, parents worked to encourage “young Americans to associate the joys of the holiday with the morally and physically protective space of home.” Whatever the origins of gift-giving, the act of exchanging presents is n...