A couple of years ago I started wishing for a drawing or other creation for my birthday from my kids. I thought it would be a good idea to have these memories at some point. I got a sketchbook exactly for this purpose. – so every birthday for myself and my husband another page (or two) get filled.
This year my daughter made me a family portrait in water color and my son drew me a penguin (my favorite animal).
Somehow my daughter also got roped into making me vouchers for my other presents.
I got tickets for a Christmas concert in the Grace Cathedral in San Francisco that also includes a part of Christmas Oratorio by Bach (hence the image). And also the tickets for the Matchbox Magic Flute (below). I love the cards as much as the voucher itself and will keep them in the sketchbook, too. Do you keep special birthday cards as memento? What would you wish for if you had to pick an outing?
Home here and there 
Gifting memories and events to attend together is such a nice way.
I have come to lean toward these kind of presents lately because honestly, we all have so much stuff and it just piling more. Great artwork by your kids.
I love the Christmas Oratorio and I listen to it every year. I think I’ve only won for twice been to life event. But I just signed up for a Christmas concert with the Thomaner Chor.
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I bet the Thomaner Chor is great! I always am reminded of “Das fliegende Klassenzimmer”.
I am looking forward to the concert. Since we are not going “home” for Christmas I needed some holiday cheer.
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One, I have no kids, so seeing your kids do this, in a sketchbook for you, is something special. What a great keepsake and memento of past birthdays. And I adore Christmas concerts of any kind. Me and mine go regularly to the Nutcracker every year, and are going to see the choir at our local church this year. We will also do the Christmas Violins in the city.
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I love the Nutcracker but this year I have another surprise planned for everyone (can’t talk about it yet). Your plans sound great!
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Ooo, I love surprises.
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I love this idea of a birthday sketchbook to keep cards and the kids drawings in – what a treasure!
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It really is. I think someone mentioned it online somewhere and I thought it was great.
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What a great idea, to keep them all together like that, I love it. ❤
I want to go to the Legion of Honor for my birthday, and see the Mary Cassatt exhibit. I’m looking forward to that. And we’re going to a concert in December, but it’s not a Christmas concert.
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I am hoping that one day they will appreciate the idea, too.
Love your plans! Sometimes the planning is half the film and to have something to look forward to.
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Great idea for a family sketch book! My daughter is a wonderful artist, and she makes all of our greeting cards, including beautiful ones for us. I just keep the cards, but this gives me inspiration to compile them somehow.
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How to collect these little mementos – I struggled with that for so long and found this works best for me.
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I think she has talent but she will not listen to me 😉
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What a great idea to make a sketchbook with your kids’ art. I love it. And I also really love the family portrait! 🙂
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I love it so much! It was one of the best presents!
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That is such a unique idea – and what a treasured keepsake for your whole family.
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What a beautiful tradition!
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