What's the perfect gift?

The Silk family - a family portrait I took while camping.

Stuff.  It's nice, but it doesn't last.  We buy gifts for birthdays, Christmas, or a myriad of other occasions and hope that they mean something.  Those things, all that stuff, inevitably end up in the trash.  Not that the final destination reflects on the feelings of either the giver or receiver, but the truth is that plastic breaks, technology becomes outdated, and fabric degrades through wear and tear.  Even for ourselves, we make purchases meant to pacify our wants and desires.  Those things too don't last.  The most we can hope for is a short-term sense of gratification for them or us.

It turns out the perfect gift isn't all that expensive, and it can last a lifetime.  And it is something each of us can offer another.  It is time.  Partly because it means developing a relationship and partly because it means building memories.  It's those memories that are with us every day, and it often takes very little to elicit them.  One of the best ways to keep those memories alive is through a photograph.

I have discovered that the most important thing in life is the relationships we hold dear.  Stuff can be replaced, but not so relationships.  So, build those relationships, and take captive the memories that come with them.  And while you're at it, take a few photos.

So, you want to give someone a practical present, or one to yourself, something more ethereal than memories?  I have found that a photo of people, specifically groups of people (that is, two or more) that have close ties with one another is often enough to be the perfect gift.  Whether printing and framing it, or just sending it electronically, it all has the same potential to bring joy and elicit those important memories that we cherish.  So, take a photo, and share it with those you love.  It may just be the best gift ever.

Thanks for reading.

Eric Svendsen     www.ericspix.com