noun – the technique of producing a new composite whole from fragments of pictures, text, or music

I’ve given Word Gifts all of my life; I just didn’t realize it until now. While brainstorming the idea of writing for 31 days about 31 ways to give word gifts, I remembered a gift I gave my boyfriend when I was in college. (Note: that boyfriend is now my husband.) It was a montage of events, private jokes, sayings, foods, and places that were special to us. I completed it with a simple sheet of white paper, colored pencils, and an 8×10 picture frame.

It looked a little something like this. (It’s now often referred to as Subway art. Do a quick search on Pinterest to see more examples.)  The great thing is now we can create the same type of montage with all kinds of colors and fonts on the computer. Realistically, after a brief brainstorming session, this gift could be put together in a matter of 30 minutes.  Or you also have the option of going really fancy and designing the sticky letters, canvas, and paint versions you can find on the internet. Even better have one done professionally.

This project is similar to the Memory Jars discussed earlier.  While the jars offer word gifts every day in a long term fashion, the frame montage offers a reminder of those events whenever it is seen. The memory montage can also be done as a Positive Personality Montage created like this one. It focuses a little more on the positive characteristics of the receiver. Whether you handwrite it, print it out, paint it, or have someone else create it,  the words will be cherished and engraved on the heart of the receiver for years to come.