Latest Christmas Calligraphy Art Gift

Custom calligraphy art gifts can really be totally your choice. I send my customers to pick photographs using the keywords from their poem, inspirational quote or any other text.  There are so many beautiful photographs that work with your choice of quote.

Next step, I write out your love poem, or quote in hand calligraphy. Then I scan it into my computer and make any adjustments necessary.  I can use your own personal photographs as well.  I can pick any colors you'd like for the text, or even make the photograph look more like a painting or pastel with photoshop. (I LOVE photoshop, but it took me quite a while to get proficient!).

Here's the latest piece that incorporates photography and calligraphy.  It's the famous Irish Blessing, although I've done a couple with different text. The picture is quite pretty, don't you think?

Maybe you'd like your own blessing from your heritage; your marriage vows, an inspirational quote or motivational quote written in calligraphy.  What ever you'd like written looks a lot better in calligraphy than in that computer font you have taped by your desk. It also makes a great gift!

Here's an example of a custom calligraphy poem. My customer knew that she wanted leading letters and knew just what kind of decoration she wanted behind the letters. I enjoy working with people who let their creative juices flow!  She also wanted a rose in the piece, and use of silver for illumination.  Unfortunately, you can't see the silver in the photo, but in person it looks really nice.

Many people are reluctant to go with black or dark paper with light colored writing. But you can see how beautiful it looks. The white color just pops off the page. One thing that I particularly liked was the snow flake in the "L" in Lady.  It was taken from Masuro Emoto's website showing how water changes when you speak to it. This was the result of the word: Thank you. Check out his website and his books. They are AMAZING!

There's still time to get your personalized Christmas gift written in calligraphy. But don't wait, the time is flying by!

Christmas Art Gifts: It's time to order!

It's almost December, and that means it's time to order your personalized handwritten Beautiful Calligraphy art gifts.  Free personalization and shipping with all orders from store is a great cost savings for your holiday gifts.
Please remember, although it takes time to fill in the custom form, then I'll have all of your information, and no mistakes will be made!  WHEW! What a relief for everyone.
Happy Holidays!

Calligraphy Certificates

A certificate is awarded for some outstanding achievement. When the certificate has the recipient's name hand written in hand calligraphy, it takes a pre-printed certificate from the ordinary to the extraordinary. Everyone loves to see their name written in hand lettered calligraphy. I've gone into houses where I've seen people put envelopes that were addressed to them in calligraphy, on their refrigerator!

One of the biggest mistakes people who design stock certificates make is they don't leave enough space for filling in the name on the certificate especially in calligraphy. (The second biggest mistake is using paper that is difficult to write on, or that won't take ink without bubbling up or spreading like a paper towel).

 I like to make the person's name really stand out, so that the certificate or award will be displayed and noticed.  One of the things I always recommend is to use a contrast in the name, so that it doesn't look like the rest of the certificate. This can be done with color, style of writing or size of the writing.

When a company or organization has funds for a beautiful certificate completion, then I can spend more time really making the name stand out.  I've been privileged to do calligraphy for some prestigious organizations where the proper cost is allocated for this job.
Here's an example of using color and design to make the recipients name stand out on a printed certificate.  (notice there wasn't very much space for the second line!)  Please don't tell him if you know Al - he hasn't received the award yet!  : )

Certificates can be designed to be traditional, or very contemporary. It is a time intensive job, and the calligraphy must be VERY careful not to make mistakes when an original is being used. It puts a lot of pressure, and can be very stressful.

There is a cost savings alternative when a company gives yearly awards and wants a special certificate designed.  After much planning, and certificate can be designed with the logo, organization title, name of the award, place left for the recipient's name, and the description. The place for date, signatures are all allocated but left blank. Then the calligraphy certificate is scanned, and can printed on beautiful paper.  This saves a tremendous expense with having originals done each year. The printing, especially on beautiful paper makes it look almost like an original. Of course, each year a calligrapher will be hired to do the "fill ins" for the information about the recipient.  I like adding touches of gold, either gold leaf or paint depending upon the budget of the client.  It adds light to the piece and  is actually called "illumination".

If you have a business, or work in an organization that gives certificates, encourage the use of beautifully designed calligraphy awards.  It will truly make your recipient feel appreciated!

Calligraphy Wedding Vows Completed

I do calligraphy personalized art gifts mostly for happy occasions: weddings, anniversary gifts, birthday and other occasions. However, on occasion I do write a memorial, and that can be sad.

Satisfied clients who write back to me when they open their package are among my highest rewards. I can feel myself smiling upon reading the lovely, heartfelt notes. I feel like I'm part of the happiness of the occasion; and maybe I'm building "good karma"!

I was so pleased to get this happy email this morning:
Hi Lianda, I just got the piece and am thrilled with it!  Thanks so much!!


Here's the completed calligraphy piece where you saw the layout in the previous post. I hope you like it!

The design was inspired by the couple's wedding invitation and theme. Although the birds weren't in the original invitation, they are both bird watchers, and Whitney asked to add them to the piece. I think it worked out nicely. Custom calligraphy and artwork can make the piece original and special just for you. 

December is coming up quickly! Don't be late ordering your Christmas and Hanukah gifts!

Calligraphy Wedding Vows

Wedding Vows written in beautiful calligraphy is a wonderful anniversary gift. Traditional first year anniversary is paper, so calligraphy is a perfect gift. It can also make a unique Christmas gift.

This couple decided to have their personalized calligraphy marriage vows reflect their beautiful wedding invitation. They sent their original invitation so I can match the colors, and design inspiration. Many people are comfortable ordering based upon a description of what the calligraphy layout will be. This time, I took a photo of how I first layout the writing with the design.

You can see their invitation in the top left corner. The size of the calligraphy art piece will be around 11 x 14. It's very hard to "make" calligraphy fit into standard size frames. Luckily, this couple was understanding about the need for personalized artwork to "breathe" with space around it, so I'm leaving extra border.

I'll post the finished piece after it's done.  Remember, you can have any poem, quote or text personalized in beautiful calligraphy. It's a gift that is always the right size, and sure to please!

Christmas Holiday Orders for Calligraphy Gifts

Starting in November, people start thinking about Christmas and holiday gifts. The holidays are times when people really put a lot of thought into getting a really special unique gift for the people they love. Sometimes you can feel overwhelmed with the focus on BUY, BUY, BUY. But if not else reflects the philosophy of the birth of Jesus during this over-commercialized holiday season, thinking about another person's preferences is pure, imo.

Gift giving, SHOULD be about buying, making, giving something that your RECIPIENT will appreciate. It's not about what your preferences are - the colors you like, the type of quote YOU think is great, the style of the artwork; this time is about thinking about them!

So, how do you do that? You think about what their home looks like; the colors there; the colors they wear.  Does the person tend to be more conservative, or contemporary in their attitudes. What kind of books do they read; what are the kind of movies they watch, what's their favorite song? Are they more sentimental; or less emotional, more down to business?  Do they enjoy humor, or are they more serious?

With regards to calligraphy, there are so many sites where you can find quotes, have poems written about the person, find inspirational words. Or if you are really great friends and have wonderful photographs of you and your friend, you might consider having them incorporated into a mat with a quote about friendship.  If you are making this purchase for the person you love, there are so many romantic love poems and quotes available!

Now there are terrific options to have these choices digitally printed on a variety of different items from mouse pads, coffee cups, calendars, T shirts and other items to the traditional framed item for your wall or desk.

So, think about what your loved one will like - and if YOU are interested in some unique calligraphy quote, start dropping hints!  Christmas and the holiday season are just around the corner!

Calligraphy Decorative Baby BIrth Certificates

When a new baby enters this world, there is most often such joy. And of course you hear about it because the parents are someone you know!  It's gift time; but what is an original and personalized baby gift? A decorated, personalized birth certificate. They baby never grows out of it, and as the baby grows up, they enjoy seeing it in their rooms.

My favorite poem is from "The Prophet" by Khalil Gibran. I have incorporated this amazing poem with the important information about the baby: Name, birthdate and weight, parents names, and when there are siblings, I put their names as well.  I guess I could also add astrological sign if the parents wanted that as well.

If you are looking for a unique baby gift, consider calligraphy. I can also write baby name definitions, incorporate photography with calligraphy, and anything else you can think of! But get your order in soon, because the Christmas season is starting now!

Holidays are around the corner

For a few weeks I've been seeing Christmas decorations up in the big box stores. It seems that they start advertising earlier and earlier every year!  Then I realized, that MY busiest season is coming along as well.  Calligraphy art gifts that are personalized are favorite gifts for both the giver and receiver. They are never out of season.
I'm finding that people love inspirational quotes for gifts. I combine the quote with photography and personalize the piece as well. Here's an example of a recent calligraphy art gift I did. It's the very famous inspirational quote by Lao Tzu: A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

So if you have a favorite inspiration or motivational quote that you'd like to give for a holiday gift, get in touch with me soon!  Every year I have to turn away clients because I get too busy, and a hand calligrapher can only do so much!

RSVP on time PLEASE!

Have you been invited to a wedding? Being a guest is a wonderful honor, and should provide you a happy occasion  to take part in with your friends and relatives.

If you are married, you must remember all the many details the bride has to take care of to make certain that her wedding will be wonderful. One of the most important details, is knowing who is coming to the wedding so that seating arrangements can be completed.

In the past, an invited guest was expected to write back on their own engraved personal stationery to congratulate the mother of the bride, and let her know whether the guest was going to attend. Unfortunately, etiquette being very different, and few people owning their own engraved stationery, invitation companies started including RSVP cards and envelopes for guests. Now the engaged couple always encloses a stamped envelope, so it is really easy to write your name, and the number of people who will or will not attend.

BTW, make sure you put your name on the RSVP or the bride won't know who is coming to her wedding! I always tell them a little trick just in case their guest forgets. Lightly in pencil, assign a number to the back of the rsvp that corresponds to the invitation list. That way, if your guest forgets, you'll still know who is coming!

RSVP's literally mean: répondez s'il vous plait. Please respond to the invitation, within the requested date by which you are asked to respond!

I cannot tell you how many brides are given extra work with their limited time when people are not courteous enough to respond to the RSVP!  Brides end up having to spend so much time to make phone calls to find out if their guest will attend; or if they will be bringing a guest!  I have even heard stories of people saying they were coming and then asking if they could bring a guest (they weren't invited with a guest) OR a child(!!), and then not showing up.  That is very poor manners imo!

As the calligrapher who must write out table cards last minute, it's extra effort for my job as well.  Be a real friend to the bride, make sure you RSVP on time!

For original wedding gifts of personalized love poems, please visit Beautiful Calligraphy.

Wedding Certificates To Remember Your Happiest Day

Contemporary Design Wedding Certificate

Are you getting married? Congratulations! So much planning goes into making your wedding perfect. From choosing the perfect  ring, to the invitations, the parties, there are so many details to consider!  One thing that many couples neglect to consider is having a commemorative wedding certificate designed. Although not a legal document, the wedding certificate can be a beautiful document that incorporates your marriage vows, decorated with elements from the wedding itself, such as the flowers, or theme. Because the wedding certificate is a custom design, you can choose whether you prefer a traditional type of decoration, or a more contemporary design. 

Jewish Marriage Certificate
Ketubah

I've done many marriage certificates. Some religious traditions have wedding certificates as part of the ceremony. Jewish marriages certificates are called Ketubah (Ketobot) and are a very important part of the ceremony. There is interesting history involved with it as well!

Quaker wedding certificates are also an intrinsic part of the ceremony, with places for not only the bride and groom and officiant to sign, but places for the witnesses and guests as well.

I'm happy to say that I have done Gay marriage certificates for couples who live in states where they have been able to get married. I also design commitment certificates as well.

Quaker Wedding Certificate 

Gay Marriage Certificate

Many couples enjoy framing this beautiful document and putting it over their bed. It's a nice thing to glance at before you go to sleep next to your husband or wife.

And if you have forgotten to order your wedding certificate at the time of your marriage, just remember, 1st year traditional gift is paper!  There's another opportunity to have your wedding certificate completed!

If you are on a limited budget, I have some really beautiful designs available in more store, where you can choose your text from a variety of love poems, and have the rest personalized with your names and dates. Because it's a print, the price is substantially lower than a totally custom designed wedding certificate.  

Best of Luck and Happiness from,

Lianda

Unique Wedding Gift Idea for the Couple that has EVERYTHING!

Invitation Addressed in Italic Calligraphy

Many of your friends or relative's weddings that you are invited to are second or even third marriages. Or maybe you are getting remarried, and don't know what to have on your bridal registry. What do you buy for the couple that has EVERYTHING from prior marriages?

One of my client couples had another great original idea for a wedding gift that they could really use. They had everything they needed in their combined homes.  The couple was planning on going to Hawaii for their honeymoon. They had many ideas of things that they wanted to do while there: helicopter rides, surfing lessons, guided tours, etc... They set up their itinerary, and made it available to all of their guests. It allowed the guests to contribute to the activity during their honeymoon - and pay only a portion of the expense, so people could allocate whatever amount they wanted to gift the couple. What a great idea?!!  And the couple could naturally take lots of photos of them during the activity and send it with their  thank you note!

Apache Wedding Blessing Personalized in Calligraphy

Here's another unique gift idea. Naturally, being a calligrapher, I will tell you that personalized calligraphy love poems that have the new couple's name and date of the wedding is something that you know they won't have!  You can even choose a poem or scripture that was recited at the wedding to make it even more personal for the new couple.

Another gift idea is to use the invitation from your couple. The bride has put a lot of effort into picking the perfect invitation. Most of the time it just gets put into the photo book, and never seen again. When you personalize it and decorate around it, and with framing, the wedding invitation becomes a really beautiful and unique gift that the couple will enjoy whenever the see it.

Wedding Invitation Framed with Decorated Calligraphy

Custom calligraphy is a really unique wedding gift option for the couple who has everything!  Please check out my website for either custom and personalized calligraphy ideas, or my store for less expensive great gift options. They are great for any occasion!

Calligraphy Thirty Year Wedding Anniversary Gift

Calligraphy is such a romantic and unique gift for wedding anniversaries. The traditional 1st year anniversary gift is paper, which can be money; but calligraphy will last a lot longer.
I have just completed a thirty year anniversary gift that a wonderful husband commissioned for his wife. I took out their last names because I didn't want to spoil the surprise just in case you know the couple! (what is the possibility of that? - but, you never know!).

I also love doing marriage proposals. As a woman I think that it is such a romantic idea, especially when the man has written the poem, or finds just the right quote and decoration that is meaningful to them both. I've done 6 proposals, and heard back from the Groom to be: 6 out of 6 Yes!


I just love the private code and symbols he wanted in this piece. The horses running towards each other really add to the piece.  It's really fun conspiring and collaborating with my clients to come up with the perfect surprise gift!  Give it a try - be creative with me.  You'll be glad you did!

Gifts for Grandparents

Grandparents usually have everything they need. But the thing that means most to grandparents are their grandchildren! I've even been told that "You don't know the meaning of love until you have a grandchild". I find that hard to believe knowing how much I love my kids, but I guess I'll just have to wait to find out!

One thing grandparents never have enough of, is pictures of their grandchildren. And another thing that grandparents don't have enough of, are pictures of THEMSELVES WITH their grandchildren. So, I encouraged Grandpa Mike here, to take a picture of him with his beautiful granddaughter Victoria. It was a nice photo, but needed some photoshop work to take out a distracting background.

I incorporated a hand drawn picture of a tree, with added roots and leaves (great metaphor) (thank you photoshop!) to reflect the sentiment in the lovely words that Victoria wrote to her beloved grandpa. Then I added a gradient background to pull it all together. Completed, this keepsake will be a gift treasured by both for years to come.

Have a grandparent who you love and want to make happy? Think about Beautiful Calligraphy and YOUR Words to live by!

from the heart,
Lianda

Mother's Day Quotes

If you are fortunate to still have your mother alive, and lucky enough to have a good relationship, you may be thinking about Mother's Day coming up.
Realize that we don't need a holiday to express love and thanks to the people around us. In fact, it's best to say our feelings now, and as often as possible. Don't wait, because there are no guarantees in life. You don't want to ever think to yourself: "I should have said" and now it's too late.
I am thankful every day since my mother died last July, that nothing was left unsaid. I have no regrets about the things I wanted to say, but didn't.

A reminder in the way of Words To Live By, can be those words that are in your heart written in beautiful calligraphy. They will always we there and can fill the gap in between the times you speak with your mom.

Here's the quote I've just done. I hope you are fortunate enough so that this applies to your relationship with your mother.

To My Mother:
You’ve always been my greatest supporter throughout my life; the woman I look up to. You’ve taught me the important things in life by living the example. You’ve taught me to love myself as well as others, to trust and be true to myself. You’ve encouraged me through hard times, and celebrated with me in the good times.
Although life brings constant change, your love has always been the constant presence that I know will always be there, unchanging.
I’ll never be able to fully thank you enough for all you’ve done for me. I hope you know how grateful I am that you’re my mom.
I really love you –

By the way, I can calligraph this quote for you and personalize it with your name and even include a photo of you and your mother. The sentiment may be applicable for those of you who would like to use it instead for a Father's Day gift instead. I can also substitute the artwork in the example with other images, such as a heart. After all, this is custom Beautiful Calligraphy, Words to Live By - for you and those you love.

Designing Calligraphy

One of the pleasure of calligraphy is coming up with a design that reflects the sentiment in the words, as well as the reflects the taste of the person who is receiving the calligraphy. This is the fun part, and I enjoy encouraging my customers to collaborate with me in the process.

After all, my tastes are not necessarily their taste. And I can design something that is traditional OR contemporary, and all of the colors and textures of the rainbow are available. In fact, short quotes give you so much more flexibility with the design that it can be a real challenge! There's so much choice, that I do need some direction!

Sometimes I am blessed to have the type of customer who tells me: I like contemporary, these are my color preferences, and if you can put in something like...... Then I have such fun coming up with the design. I really want my customers to stretch - not do black writing on cream color paper. In fact, I WON'T do that - it's boring!

So, when I received this latest commission, I had such fun planning it out. And the designed evolved as I thought about it.

The quote was: Love cannot let you know music, but music can let you know love. Immediately I thought of the two words that if emphasized would give a big visual message that was obvious: Love and Music. If possible, I do the first layout of the words on my computer substituting different fonts and sizes. It's easier to move around the text that way than using and wasting paper. After all I am a "Green Scribe" : )



And of course, the most obvious symbols of Love and Music is a "heart" and "notes".



When you're doing a good design, you shouldn't do something that doesn't "hold together". For instance, if you could physically remove a part of the picture and it doesn't seem like something is missing, the design should be changed.


So, in the first printed by computer layout, you see parts of the quote that are necessarily integrated. Then I thought about what else could hold it together, and naturally, the idea of sheet music as a background popped into my mind. It was alright, but the background was white.



I felt like I wanted the sheet music to look a little aged, and I wanted it to relate to the color in the heart. So I tinted the music the color you see. And voila! A finished piece that reflects the sentiment, and artwork that supports the statement. Thank You L. for giving me free rein and trust to do your quote!



Have a favorite quote that you'd like to have made into Words To Live By: Words that you will see and remind you daily of how much that quote/poem means to you? Remember, Mother's Day is coming up, and your mother might really enjoy YOUR words of thanks and love!

Spring Weddings & Calligraphy

Spring is in the air! With spring comes the perfect time to get married! I'm busy writing custom marriage vows in calligraphy, custom invitations and addressing envelopes.


I'm particularly happy with a design for a wedding scroll. The groom contributed the beginning concept of incorporating a tree (he's a woodworker, among other interests). In order to keep the costs down, instead of writing out the vows in calligraphy, it was done in type (a computer font). I did the monogram in with calligraphy letters, and some other touches. Then it was printed on canvas, to allow it to be displayed as a scroll.


Be original with ideas for your wedding vows! Incorporate your interests into the design, and you'll have a memento you will always treasure!

Art Preferences, Opinion and Personal Responsibility

"You're the artist, you decide", some of my clients tell me. I can certainly make decisions about a calligraphy layout that can fit many people's preferences, but I think that everyone must realize that they DO have a preference. Even little children know what colors and kinds of clothes they like to wear. Within any decision, there is room for your personal preference.

It's not about being right or wrong. It's about honoring your unique view of the world. Yes, art can be expressed in countless ways, and to give over that choice to someone else is negating the importance of your vision. Many people say to me "I'm not creative, I don't know what's the best decision; I don't know what I like." But just think about it, if you are buying something for yourself, unless you will not be using or seeing your purchase, it will be part of your life. You might as well put some of yourself into that decision and LEARN about your preferences.

An unexamined life is not worth living.

Socrates, in Plato

Personal choice is one of the most important characteristics of our lives as human beings. Unlike animals that live primarily by instincts, we get to choose our path through life. Whether the choice works out the way we had envisioned or not, and what we tell ourselves about our choices is a determining factor as to how we define our lives: happy, successful, or whatever terms we use. People who have strong self-esteem are willing to take personal responsibility and make choices; and accept and deal with the consequences.

Getting back to art and calligraphy, many times the choice that you are being asked to make is about a decision for a gift. Oftentimes I find people making a choice based upon their own preferences rather than the preference of the person receiving a gift! That's probably not the best way to make a choice for your recipient. Think about THEIR preferences instead! If you don't know, maybe that's an indication you need to learn more about that person! Think about the clothes they wear, the colors they prefer, even their food choices can tell you something about them! You can also ask them questions and find out things about them that make you feel closer to them! It's a great opportunity. And if you get them a gift that really fits their preferences, they will appreciate it even more! (that's why I have custom gift choices available on my website)

So here's my latest calligraphy border that I would describe as "Contemporary and Colorful". See if that's something that you like, or get to know your preferences - do you like something more traditional, historical, muted colors, or pastels? Honor your opinions, but don't get stuck and stubborn. Being open to considering other choices is a sign of healthy flexibility. And please, realize that there is no right or wrong - If someone doesn't like this border design, I know, it is THEIR opinion, not a statement about my self-worth! How much better we could all get along if we realized that statements from others are simply their opinion and no reason for disagreement or anger!

So, those are my Words To Live By for now!

Love Quotes

We never know what life holds for us. Therefore it's important to make sure that we express what is in our hearts to those we care about, and never live with the statement, "I should have said". Expressing love and gratitude puts the "Law of Attraction" into gear, and you'll get back what you put out.

There are so many Love poems that I've done. I even written marriage proposals in calligraphy. I'm happy to report that every proposals was accepted with a happy YES answer. I've also written many personalized poems that some talented and caring person had written for their loved one. The sentiment is more important than being a Shakespeare, I can assure you.

Sit down and think about what that person means to you; how they have enriched your life and brought you joy. Let them know. If you don't want to have it written in Beautiful Calligraphy, write it yourself. Say those words, and open your heart.

BTW, for those of you who may not realize it, I am also a counselor and teach "heartfelt stress relief". I can assure you that while you are writing those words, you are giving yourself a big dose of stress relief, and making your body healthier!

So expressing love is important for both our emotional and physical health. Say those words, feel the love, be happy and healthy!

Love Poems and Romantic Gifts for Valentine's Day

I'd bet that from the beginning of time when humans first started communicating, words of love had been exchanged. Love poems for Valentine's Day gifts and poetry are some of my favorite calligraphy projects. Oftentimes, I receive a request of personally written poem that a man has written for a woman. I've even written some wonderful marriage proposals! How romantic! Who can reject the lover who expresses him or herself with poetic panache? (by the way, EVERY marriage proposal has been answered with an emphatic "YES".

There would be no story of Roxane be without Cyrano's beautiful love poems. (Make sure you see Steve Martin's funny and tender remake of this famous tale: "Roxanne").

Nowadays with computer research, if you're not a Cyrano, you can still have a romantic and personalized love poem written for you to give to your loved one! There are many services that can provide a made to order poem with specific details that you give the writer about your beloved. Make sure you read some of their work before you decide which author or service to use!

Some of the favorite love poems that I do regularly are ee cummings "I carry your heart", Shakespeare, Corinthians 13 (from the Bible), Emily Dickinson, and the "Apache Wedding Blessing". Some of them are in my store, and can be personalized with names and dates.

Love poems also make great Valentine's Days presents, birthday gifts, and anniversary gifts. Don't forget, even if you don't prefer a love poem, you can still write a Love Letter that shows your appreciation and care for that special person in your life.

Poetry for our friends is also a great way to show them how much they mean to us. Yes, email is great; but computers crash and correspondence gets "lost" on your computer. Somehow, there's a big difference between holding that love letter in your hand and reading the words inscribed in beautiful calligraphy.

Now men, if you want to complete the romantic scene, remember you can always add more to the gift by sending flowers! Personally, I'm very concerned about the environment, and prefer making sure that my flowers are organic. Many companies have flowers that are artificially colored, have pesticides, and aren't very healthy.

And what woman (sorry if this sounds sexist) doesn't love chocolate? Remember those romantic movies "Like Water For Chocolate", or "Chocolat"? Well, you too can be a hero by bringing or sending chocolate.

Remember, whenever you're thinking about getting a gift for a person you care about, think about what HE or SHE would like - not necessarily the things that YOU want them to have. That's the spirit of true giving.