It’s the most wonderful time of the year! No matter what holiday you celebrate, finding the perfect gift can be a struggle. My birthday falls directly after Christmas, so this month is doubly stressful for my long-suffering husband who has learned the hard way not to wrap birthday gifts in Christmas paper, not to combine my gifts (‘this is for Christmas/birthday”) and although our house is filled with holiday treats, a birthday cake is still required. Honey, I hope this eases your shopping stress just a bit.
Online genealogy websites and upgrades. Today’s genealogists use online resources daily, especially free sites like FamilySearch. But most of us also subscribe to at least one paid database. Popular subscription sites such as MyHeritage and Ancestry can be costly but if you know they already subscribe, look for offers to “level up” as gifting an upgrade is a more affordable option.
Genealogical society memberships. Consider a gift membership to your genealogist’s favorite local organization. An annual membership to the Niagara County Genealogical Society is $20 which includes a 30-minute lookup in the library holdings, society meetings which cover various topics, and access to the members-only section of the website in addition to other member perks. Visit niagaragenealogy.org for more details.
Family Tree Magazine Essential Forms collections. More than 100 PDF forms in both Volume 1 and Volume 2 can be downloaded and printed out, helping your loved one organize family facts and keep tabs on their genealogy. Priced at just $39.99 each, this is a great last-minute gift. (store.familytreemagazine.com)
Legacy Family Tree Webinars annual membership. These webinars by authorities in the field are available on demand with an annual subscription. Whether your genealogist wants to learn about DNA technology or migration patterns across the U.S., this gift has something for everyone and at $49.95 annually, it’s a steal. (Legacy.familytreewebinars.com)
I Seek Dead People. Now, who wouldn’t want to see that on their morning mug of coffee? Genealogists are proud of their hobby and a gift that showcases their hard work (and makes them smile) lets them know you appreciate their efforts. Etsy.com has everything from mugs to bumper stickers.
Family history records organizer. If your giftee still keeps their tree on paper, this binder will hold pedigree sheets, research checklists and record pages neatly on a shelf between research sessions. Find it on Amazon for less than $22.
Portable document scanner. Desktop scanners are great but not when you’re on the go. Look for a handheld version that scans and uploads to their computer with enough storage to withstand a day at the library or archive. Amazon and Target have them available for less than $50.
Family heirloom journal. Genealogists tend to be keepers of the heirlooms. This book will help them track an item’s description and location with room to include a photograph of it. Find it on Etsy.com for less than $15.
External hard drive. Of all the hobbies in the world, genealogists must collect the most paper. Gifting them an external hard drive will help them organize and lighten the paper load. For around $65 you can buy 2 TB of space which will hold all their scanned treasures. Flash drives are also a great gift for genealogy on the go!
100 Questions for Grandma. I was gifted a similar book after the birth of my first grandchild, Shion. This beautiful journal with prompts makes it so much easier to preserve stories and memories that might be lost in time. Find it on Amazon starting at $13 for paperback.
I hope this month finds you celebrating the beauty of winter (even if it’s from your warm home) while sharing cheerful holiday vibes with those you love and even those you only like. Remember, kindness gives hope to those who think they are alone in this world, so smile at a stranger or hold a door. Kindness is a gift everyone can afford.