Creative and Sentimental Ideas needed please~

[Living*Doll*Vintage]

My brother is retiring from the Air Force next month after 26 years.
We had a strained and distant relationship for most of our lives, but recently have become much closer.

I'm trying to come up with a nice gift idea, but having not been close for a while, it's tough to know what would be best - his hobbies, etc. are pretty much unknown to me.

Sooooo...... I'm all ears!:scratchchin:

 

[amandainvermont]

Does he have a partner? Could you get ideas from that person? Is there any family memento that you could give him? My sister had my mother's "Joy of Cooking" book rebound and gave it to me. That was a great gift for me.

 

[cactusandcattails]

Great suggestion from Amanda, along that line perhaps a nicely framed photo of the two of you as kids.

 

[Living*Doll*Vintage]

Thanks Amanda & Brenda,

He just started dating someone new recently so I'm sort of flying blind~

Actually, Brenda, that picture idea is really nice - I don' t have many of us as kids, but I have a great one of our dad stepping out of a fighter jet in his flight suit. My dad was an Air Force combat photographer in the 60's - 3 tours in Vietnam - I can't part with the photo, but I'll get it copied and slip it into a really great frame!! Excellent suggestions Amanda & Brenda ~ a family memento that can be shared! Yeah!!! One less thing to worry about~Have a fabulous weekend - I'm goin frame shoppin!

 

[lkranieri]

I am a little late to this discussion, but I was away from home for a while and did not have access to my Favorites links, but I was going to suggest this site:

http://www.mypublisher.com/

where you could create a (single, if you like) print-on-demand book, perhaps with pictures of your family when you were all young, through to your brother's latest accomplishments.
Lynne

 

[hatfeathers]

That sounds like a perfect gift, Sharon!

 

[Living*Doll*Vintage]

That's a great site Lynne~ I showed it to my daughter and she flipped! She graduates 8th grade this May and wants to make books for her friends as gifts-

Thanks Jenn- I'm looking forward to giving him this