It’s time for the yearly 10 most unique, thoughtful gift list! I love this time of the year and figuring out what challenging limits I can place on this list. Just when I think I’m really going to be stumped - I get WAY too many finds to trim to just 10.

This year’s challenges are:

• Must be incredibly unique.

• Must be able to be treasured for years to come.

• Must support a local (PA/Pittsburgh), small business.

• Must be responsible and respectable to the environment and each other.

As I mentioned, this list is not exhaustive - there are SO many special, incredibly talented businesses in the Pittsburgh region. I encourage you to search local, small businesses while internet browsing, or visit some of the venues that sell multiple artists’ works.

I promise this will be a pleasurable shopping experience - where you feel good about who are you buying from, the super cool gift you are buying and who you are buying it for. Spreading holiday love and cheer is what it’s all about.

When was the last time you looked through a photo album? No, not on a screen. A physical book - where the pages crinkle when you flip them. Where the edges are yellowing and the colors don’t look quite as vibrant. Or, perhaps they are in black and white. Whether it’s your parent’s photo albums or yours (I’m looking at you Gen Xers), the pictures (and you) are not getting any younger. It’s time to address this reality and put a picture preservation plan into place. These photos preserve the memories woven into our family’s fabric. They allow us to reconnect with loved ones, past and present. And they need to be passed onto future generations.

This is a big task. Don’t be hard on yourself. Take baby steps, because every action you take to better restore, preserve and/or organize these photos goes a long way in increasing their longevity. Here are three ways to preserve those precious memories:

As if the holiday season wasn’t asking too much of us, the kiddos are home for school for (what seems like) a very long time! While there are many activities and distractions throughout the week(ish), there is always the inevitable lulls in the action. Perhaps, even the gaming gets old?  Or, you need to lore them away from the gaming is more like it.  Here are a few simple, short and fun (and free) games to break the boredom or tension or away from the cookies or as dinnertime conversation…anytime games.

One of the most important locations in a family’s home is the dining table! It is here that we share food, but more importantly our stories - from the day, our lives. Every family has stories. Stories that need to be told, heard and passed down. Here are the questions you should ask!

What would my last message be? How would I sum up a lifetime of love and experiences into a single message?

When listening to seniors bearing their souls, they are not thanking their employers or boasting about job accomplishments. They are not raving on about their possessions. Or ranting about regrets or grievances.

When revealing their raw vulnerability for their family (with a complete stranger behind the camera), I find these messages come down to 3 important life concepts…

These 5 ridiculously thoughtful gifts will impress any recipient. They are original, can’t be outgrown, they won’t lose interest and can be passed on. (P.S. - they aren’t just for the holidays either!)

Are you missing anyone right now? Whether they are gone from earth, still here but not physically near or maybe their memory is fading.

What is it that you miss most about them? Maybe that cannot be answered with one word or concept. Relationships are complex like that. If they were sitting right beside you on that bench, what words would you speak or what actions would you take? What if you knew it would be the last time you see them?

Write it down. Here are your prompts…

Make this holiday story-worthy - not just store-bought! Because, come January, the store-bought decorations and presents will be put away. But the memories will continue to warm our hearts for years to come! Here are some suggestions for story-worthy moments....