| The Gift Idea Challenge | | | | Selecting A Photo Montage / DVD Scrapbook |
| Every year your brothers and sisters always | | | | Company |
| seem to give your parents that perfect gift. You | | | | There are many companies offering photo |
| have tried everything for your parents birthday, | | | | montage/ DVD scrapbooks services for |
| Christmas, and anniversary, but always seem to | | | | anniversary gifts. Let the buyer beware; many of |
| come in second place in the gift givingcompetition. | | | | them are frustrated artists or videographers who |
| You have tried the expensive gifts (e.g. vacations, | | | | own a computer and work out of their homes. |
| jewelry) and the practical gifts (e.g. television, | | | | When selecting a company to work with for your |
| giftcertificates). For their one and only special 50th | | | | parents 50th anniversary consider their: |
| wedding anniversary you need to give them a | | | | * Experience |
| unique gift that makes an emotional impact. | | | | * References |
| What Makes A Great 50th Anniversary Gift | | | | * Product Quality |
| Okay. You have thrown down the gauntlet. For | | | | Companies like Living Scrapbooks ® provide a |
| your parents 50th anniversary you are going to | | | | unique service that is akin to professional film |
| give them a gift that will knock their socks off. | | | | editing and documentary services. Presentations |
| But what makes a great 50th anniversary gift? | | | | should be carefully storyboarded, with digital |
| The gift should be: | | | | motion (pan and/or zoom) selected based on the |
| * Unique and Personal - This gift should be one of | | | | natural flow of each picture. Beware ofcompanies |
| a kind, something that cannot be duplicated. | | | | that only offer a slide show with a musical |
| Expensive and practical gifts, although may | | | | background; you should request a demo of their |
| beinitially appreciated, have no personality of their | | | | services! |
| own. | | | | How Do I Gather the Materials? |
| * Reflective - It should be representative not only | | | | In order to prepare a photo montage / DVD |
| on their 50 plus years together, but should | | | | scrapbook, you need photos, video footage, |
| illustrate the love and companionship they have | | | | newspaper clippings, andmementoes. Organize it |
| shown each other, and taught their children. | | | | like chapters in a book, e.g. "Dating Years", |
| * Perpetual - This gift is something that will last | | | | "Vacation", etc. A good web site for more |
| them the rest of their life and can be enjoyed | | | | information can be found at "Building A Better |
| time after time. | | | | Video Scrapbook" at |
| Photo Video Montage - A Great 50th Anniversary | | | | The Gift Presentation |
| Gift | | | | Now that have selected your pictures and music, |
| "I saw my father only cry twice. Once when his | | | | and had a company like Living Scrapbooks® |
| mother died, and when he viewed the Living | | | | prepare your unique emotional 50th anniversary |
| Scrapbook® we did for him". That is it, I want | | | | gift, now what? If you are having the 50th |
| to give a gift like that you exclaim! But what is a | | | | anniversary at a hall, contact them for the |
| Living Scrapbook®? | | | | availability of a digital projector. This will allow you |
| A Living Scrapbook® is one the brand names | | | | to connect a DVD player and project it on a |
| for what is commonly called a photo video | | | | movie screen or blank white wall. If your hall does |
| montage, or | | | | not have a projector, ask your DJ (if you have |
| DVD scrapbook. It is a collection of pictures set | | | | one) or look in the yellow pages. |
| to music. | | | | Need More Convincing? |
| Can't I make my own Photo Video Montage / | | | | Putting together a photo video montage / DVD |
| DVD Scrapbook? | | | | scrapbook does take a smallcommitment of time |
| Yes, anyone with the correct equipment and | | | | on your part; you need to budget time to select |
| experience can. In order to accomplish the same | | | | the photos, put them in order, and select music. |
| professional results the typical home computer | | | | But is it worth it? If you want to give an unique |
| would need an additional $4,200 in audio/video | | | | gift that makes an emotional impact it is!!! Take a |
| hardware and software upgrades. In addition you | | | | look at some of the testimonials of people who |
| would have to have 5+ years in multimedia | | | | have at |
| integration. Just like pouring cement, anyone can | | | | As you can see, you can give the gift this time |
| do it however for it to look professional, you | | | | that will make your brothers and sister jealous! |
| need to use a service with the right equipment | | | | Time to sit in that "favorite child" chair! Good luck! |
| and experience. | | | | |