Collage Picture Frames - The Perfect Going Away Gift
by Lynnae Allred

Description: If you are looking for the perfect gift for someone who is moving away, think about giving a thoughtful picture collage.

Brad just got a great job promotion recently and he's elated! His wife, Stefanie is not nearly as excited, however. The new position means a transfer from their current home in Baltimore, Maryland, to Seattle, Washington. There's a sense of loss in any move away from a home where you've laid down roots, but Stefanie was born and raised in Baltimore. She's not looking forward to the move and Brad wants to do something to express his appreciation for her willingness to leave her familiar surroundings and support him in his new adventure. Flowers and candy don't seem appropriate. He needs something special.

Brad found his answer in a colleague's suggestion: "Take a little bit of home with you." He purchased a collage picture frame, and spent an hour scouring his own Facebook page and his digital photo files for pictures of his family at well-known Baltimore landmarks: Underneath the pink flamingo at the Café Hon, in front of the USS Constellation at Harborplace, and feeding the giraffes at the Maryland Zoo. Next, Brad made arrangements to have the completed collage frame shipped to the realtor in Seattle, who hung it near the front entrance in their new home. It was the first thing Stefanie saw when she stepped in the door, and it made the perfect housewarming gift.

There are dozens of creative ways to fill a collage picture frame as a farewell gift for someone you admire or appreciate. Here are just a few suggestions:

The Eternal Christmas Card

When the Nelsons announced that they were moving from their close-knit neighborhood in Memphis, Tennessee, one going-away gift that was especially appreciated was a multi-opening frame with several 4x6 photographs of different families from the neighborhood. Every year, the Nelsons request (and receive) new 4x6 photos in the annual Christmas cards from their old friends. This heartwarming gift helps them keep in touch with good neighbors who now live hundreds of miles away.

The Perfect Retirement Gift

A beautiful triple-opening frame makes a great retirement gift for someone who has dedicated a lot of time and energy to the company, and the gift can be formal or just for fun. For a formal gift, purchase a triple frame with three 8x10 openings. The center opening can include a photo of the employee at his or her desk or workstation. Other openings can be filled with a certificate of appreciation, a large company logo, or a copy of a thank-you letter from a customer. If you're looking for an idea that is a little bit more casual, make a copy of a humorous sign that hung in the employee's office cubicle, add a group photo of the whole department, or include a page of brief handwritten messages from other staff members.

Going Away to College

Brighten up the walls in your daughter's dorm room by sending her away with a grouping of some of her happiest memories at home. You can remove the glass from one section of a collage frame and include her high school letter or a dried flower from her favorite dance. Other openings can include a family portrait, a greeting card from her best friend, her high school diploma and tassel, and even a photo of her sitting in the bedroom she's leaving behind. A second option would be to purchase a frame that will hold a separate photo of each family member. Add a small handwritten message of love and encouragement from each sibling or parent on a small piece of paper that can rest over the corner of that individual's portrait.

Life is full of "hellos" and "goodbyes," but the transition can become an opportunity for those left behind to express their appreciation in heartfelt ways. Consider a photo collage for your next going-away event. It's an opportunity to say a thousand words...with just a few pictures.

MyBarnwoodFrames.com carries dozens of styles, sizes and colors of collage picture frames, including multi-opening wood collage frames and rustic collage frames handcrafted from reclaimed wood. View our entire collection at http://mybarnwoodframes.com/collage-picture-frames

Some of our most popular collage picture frames include our large collage frames that feature up to five 8x10 photo openings. We also offer smaller 4x6 and 5x7 collage frames and even hard-to-find 5x5 and 8x8 collage frames. Our painted frames are available in 11 different decorator colors, including black, ivory, tomato red, baby pink, sage green, and baby blue. Each is made in the USA.

Our reclaimed wood collage frames (built from aged barnwood) are also available in several styles. We offer dozens of styles and sizes of rustic frames, mirrors, vintage signs, shadowboxes and more. Please visit us at http://mybarnwoodframes.com

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