Parents gift to their talented soccer star daughter with her awards, pictures of her team and letter written in calligraphy

Oh No! Halloween Decorations Already?

Why do people rush the seasons. Right now we're in the middle of summer, and stores have Halloween decorations for sale! 

Planning Ahead for the Holidays

Are you the type of person who has your list already made up and you love planning ahead for Christmas and other holidays? I'm here and ready to start with you to create the Best Gift Under the Tree!

Unique Gift Ideas for the Holidays

It's that time of year again, when you are trying to figure out what to get for the people on your Christmas list. Some people can seem like they have everything and if you ask them what they want you'll never get an answer. That's why YOU need to be creative to figure out what to get them. Read on to get great ideas!

The Perfect Christmas Gift for...

The Perfect Christmas gift for anyone you care about is when you've put thought into what they would like to receive. You can find the most uncommon and unique gift when you really know their personality; their likes, their hobbies, what makes them unique. That perfect gift takes thought on your part. So this post is designed to help you figure out what to get for your special person, be it a spouse, relative, friend or even co-worker!

No matter where you live, there are usually Holiday Craft Fairs.  I love going to holiday craft fairs to see new creative ideas. This year I found a few artists (I'm in San Diego, CA). Luckily, you can order online so you don't have to travel to get some of these really nice items. I LOVE macrame so when I saw Renee Haas' booth I was intrigued. Do check out her gorgeous macrame jewelry. I hope she'll make iPhone watch bands soon- because I will be the first to buy one!

Gifts for Your Entire Family

If you have a large family, consider getting one calligraphy gift for everyone! This father wrote a poem about their original family home. I combined a picture of the house with the poem and made prints for the entire family!

Christmas Family Poem by the father of the house in calligraphy with watercolor picture of their old home
Calligraphy quote and about the importance of families with photo of entire family

This large family all received a copy of this poem about the importance of families as a surprise gift.

I changed the background, and could even put a large Christmas tree behind them!

Imagine how many copies I had to make! Luckily, the more you make, the larger the discount! 

Your Family Tree in Calligraphy

Yes, I admit this was a huge undertaking because of the time to line up all of the names in this family. So it's not an inexpensive calligraphy job. But isn't it a great family gift that everyone in the family would want a copy of for themselves? I just love how it came out! 

Historical Family Tree for Christmas Gift in calligraphy for the entire family


Calligraphy gift ideas for Dog Lovers

Beautiful poem and why you should have complete Loyalty to your dog in calligraphy

So many people have pets! A unique gift for a dog lover could be a quote about the loyalty of dogs. I can add a photo of your friend and their dog, or we can find a great picture online of the dog's breed.

I've searched online for some fun quotes about dogs. Anyone who has a dog is definitely a dog lover. They may love their breed of dog, or something about their dog's behavior. But these quotes could fit for any Dog Lover.

"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself"

“Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen.”– Orhan Pamuk

“Dogs’ lives are too short. Their only fault, really.” – Agnes Sligh Turnbull

“Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.” – Roger Caras

Uncommon Gifts for Cat Lovers


Either you love cats, or you don't. (I actually do love them!) But don't speak badly about a cat to a cat lover! Forgive me for sharing this hysterical video of a cat and a cucumber. If you want to laugh your head off, go to Youtube and put in those search terms!

You can get them a really special and uncommon gift by using one of these great quotes about cats. I can add a photo of your friend and their cat (if the cat will sit still long enough ), or we can find a great picture online of the cat's breed.

via GIPHY

~ We seem to worship our cats, or at least, that’s how they see it.

~ Way down deep, we’re all motivated by the same urges. Cats have the courage to live by them.

~ Cats have it all: admiration, and endless sleep and company only when they want it. – Rod McKeuen

~ A cat has absolute emotional honesty. Human beings, for one reason or another, may hide their feelings, but a cat does not.

 Uncommon Gifts for Golfers

Father's Day golf poem with a foresome of friend golfers
funny golf picture

You'd think there would be a lot of choice of gifts for golfers, but I can't figure out many! But there are lots of quotes about the perils of golf and how it can drive some people crazy. But golfers still love their sport! And, like for unique gifts for dog and cat lovers, I can add a photo of your favorite golfer to personalize this calligraphy gift.

  • Of all the hazards, fear is the worst. ~ Sam Snead
  •  Golf is good for the soul. You get so mad at yourself you forget to hate your enemies. ~ Will Rogers
  •  The only thing a golfer needs is more daylight. ~ Ben Hogan
  •  Golf is not a sport. It’s a way of life. Live it. Love it.
  •  Golf is the closest game to the game we call life. You get bad breaks from good shots; you get good breaks from bad shots – But you have to play the ball where it lies.
    ~Bobby Jones


Uncommon Gifts for Tennis and Sports Lovers

I admit it, I'm a tennis addict: even after I broke my wrist on the court and herniated a disc in my back. Luckily, it was my left wrist and I'm a righty, so I could still do calligraphy while healing.  I still can't give up tennis!

Here are some great quotes for the tennis greats that make really uncommon Christmas gifts.

  • The depressing thing about tennis is that no matter how good I get, I'll never be as good as a wall.    (pretty funny!)
  • You are never really playing an opponent. You are playing yourself, your own highest standards, and when you reach your limits, that is real joy.- Arthur Ashe
  • Tennis uses the language of life. Advantage, service, fault, break, love, the basic elements of tennis are those of everyday existence, because every match is a life in miniature.      - Andre Agassi
  • What sport does your recipient love? You can find good quotes about ANY sport! 
      
beautiful sunset background with person poem superimposed
words to live by about the meaning of sports
mindful meditation quote written in calligraphy

Uncommon Gifts for Music Lovers

Looking for an uncommon gift for a music lover can be a tough assignment. Of course there's the usual gift of purchasing music. But if you want a really unique Christmas gift get a calligraphy quote about music! The unique gift can be the song lyrics of their favorite artist or quotes about how important music is in life!

love of music quote in calligraphy
music and the soul quote written in legend font caligraphy
calligraphy quotes from music with conductor's picture

Music Quotes

  • Where words fail, music speaks. Hans Christian Andersen
  • Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent. Victor Hugo

Unique Gifts for Professions

A creative and uncommon Christmas gift for people in different professions is to get a great quote about the work they  do-

  • Lawyers
  • Doctors
  • Teachers
  • Engineers.....
  • Chefs or people who enjoy cooking! 
  • Coffee Mugs with great quotes or photos
Calligraphy print on an apron
Legal quote in Latin written in gothicized italic_ res Ipsa loquitur- "the evidence speaks for itself
Famous quote of Dr. Osler written in calligraphy
float framed metal calligraphy print of "The Guest House" poem by Rumi

Religious Quotes, Scripture, Prayers for Christmas

And finally, it IS Christmas, and the time for reflection on the meaning on the holiday to you and your recipient. Personal poems written about Christmas, religious quotes, and Biblical scripture are wonderful gifts for the holidays as well! Click on the link to see many examples. 

Dad's message in calligraphy telling his daughter how proud he is of her- superimposed on her making a winning kick in soccer

Parent's Christmas Gift for their Child

Christmas is a wonderful opportunity to tell your child how proud you are of their accomplishments. This father wrote a wonderful letter and then I combined it with a photo of her playing sports. 

What is your child proud about? Tell them that you appreciate them! Now is the time..

Gift that Expresses YOUR Feelings

famous Poem by George Eliot about love of a friendabout friendship by George Eliot written in calligraphy
small personal photos with quote about their friendship written in calligraphy

If you have strong feelings for your "giftee" writing about your feelings and combining it with a photo of both of you is a heartwarming gift that will always be appreciated. If you're not able to express your own feelings in words, thankfully Dr. Google can always link you up with a source for quotes and poems.  

I have some low cost alternatives to have your quote printed on a variety of items: shopping bags, aprons, coffee cups... Check out CafePress to see all the items available. Then I can make a custom quote or design for that item. It will be the BEST gift under the tree!

What Would You Like for an Unique Christmas Gift?

Uncommon and unique gifts take some creative thinking on your part. It will be worth your time and effort when you  see the genuine smile on the person you care about! It will be an amazing keepsake for them. They'll appreciate how well you knew them and thought about them. And that's very much the spirit of Christmas and every other occasion!