Life lessons book for birthday.

Guapa1

I need some help as I am crap at creative stuff!

It's my sisters 18th birthday next week and rather than the usual money/jewellery thing, I want to give her a handmade notebook on life lessons.

Things like:
How to act at an interview
How to look after your money.
The top ten things to always have in your cupboard and recipes made from them.
I'm going to get 3 of my closet friends that I know my sister respects to write about the things they wish they knew when they were 18.
Quotes and saying about self love and being the best you can be.

Problem... I haven't a clue how to start! What type of book to buy or anything. I just don't make things. Ideas?

carlamagee

omg, thats such a good idea!!
its my sisters birthday in december and im still struggling to come up with something to get her -- i dont wanna do the usual jewellery thing either!!
I realy like your idea, but, am quite like you in the respect that im not very creative!!!
What about getting a scrapbook style sort of book? makeit A4 so that there is an adequate amount of space on each page -- and if there is too much space, a few stickers wouldnt go a miss to glam it up and take up the room!!??

please let me know how you get on with it!

rainmac

What a fantastic idea!!! A scrapbook would be great as it could be added to easily.

I would first plan what I wanted where, maybe type it out in Word or write down, a separate page per 'lesson'.

Can I please suggest a saying... a woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle...:rotfl:

Ok, more serious, genuine sayings, some good ones here... http://penn.betatesters.com/wisdom03.htm
http://www.lovstrand.com/Quotes/LifesLittleInstructions.html
http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/misc/lifeinst.htm
http://www.a-silver-lining.org/instructions4life.html
http://www.geocities.com/~olelo/shelties/instructions_for_life.html

Good luck, great idea

mary43

Brilliant idea ! Thanks for all those links rainmac. (thinking I could do with a Life Lesson book myself............lol):j

rainmac

mary43 wrote: »

Brilliant idea ! Thanks for all those links rainmac. (thinking I could do with a Life Lesson book myself............lol):j

I would love to receive one, think it's such a great idea :T

kethry

I'm doing something similar as part of christmas presents, a christmas planner book (which will be bound via coptic binding), a budgeting/recipe book (which will be an A5 size clip file all decorated) and a scrapbook which will probably be done via coptic binding too. Basically what you need to ask yourself is whether this is going to be something that she may want to add pages to - in which case, either build "blank" pages in or go for something where she can add the pages herself, or if she wouldn't want to add the pages, you can go for something like coptic binding. Coptic binding is a very very old way of binding books, it can be done at home, and can look absolutely *stunning* - see here for some gorgeous photos. Its also easier than it looks, particularly if you're used to needlework anyway.

My other thought is something like a maze book, which could work quite well as a collection of simple sayings. depends on what you want to give her really

its a lovely idea for a present!

keth
xx

whitewing

This is a fantastic idea. Can you make one for me too? There's a lot I still don't know and the lessons are proving painful, lol.

Guapa1

Thank you everyone!
I'm loving the quotables rainmac and Kethry, Coptic binding looks beautiful.
I've just written a basic outline of saving, credit cards, what an overdraft is etc... I also added my own spiral into financial hell and it's 6 pages!
Gosh good thing I'm off work, this is going to take me ages. lol
Whitewing, I'm happy to forward my word pages when I'm done if you like.

whu

That is a really thoughtful present which I am sure she will cherish.

Guapa1

I have decided on four sections
Money
I've just written out a 6 page money section... My spiral into debt and my climb out. I've also written out what an overdraft is, saving tax free, how much to save and why. How to use credit cards, apply for a loan and how credit scoring works.
It's basic and informal, but covers the most important sections and I've given her links for more reading and book suggestions.

Career
My friends CV is going to go here. She wasn't the best student and is now a business partner at a very big organisation.
I'll also copy some interview tips, dressing for success.
The importance of body language and some quotes including not getting into gossip while remaining 'friendly' and being honest about strengths and weaknesses.

Relationships

Learning to have a relationship with yourself. The art of being a good friend. Having good friends, knowing when to let go. Being yourself in a relationship. Not apologising for having high expectations.

Life
Quotes, sayings what I wish I knew at 18 from friends and family.
ten foods to always have in case you disregarded all the advice in the money section and meal ideas! lol
The importance of keeping a diary.
learning how to meditate
Why making me time important
Why there is nothing wrong with a good ol cry!
The me box... Ideas for a 'me box' to cheer yourself up when you're! (favourite choccies, cd with fav music, candles and some bubbles... I'd have a couple miniatures of Baileys in there too)

How does that sound?

mary43

That is brilliant !!:T
I'm thinking I could put that lot in a book for each of my sons - they;re all grown up now but that last two sections would be brilliant for anyone.............thanks:j

Just had another thought - might be an ideal pressie to add to current foster lad's christmas lot. I've got journal questions all sorted for him -wonder if this sort of thing might be better - he's just turned 18 and apart from us he's on his own