With the holidays just around the corner, I thought this would be a good opportunity to list some of my genealogy favorite things.  Although this list is mainly geared toward the family historian/genealogist in your life, honestly, these items aren’t just for the family historian.  These items would make a great gift for anyone in your life at any time of the year, not just during the holidays.  This list includes some of the gifts that I have received over the years, some items are still on my wishlist, and others I personally think could help advance someone’s research.  Any family historian, no matter how long they have been researching, can benefit from any of these gifts.  These items vary in price to fit any budget.  In no particular order, here are just a few of my genealogy favorites……

• Package of small notebooks
• Journal with a nice pen
• Stationary with stamps
• Gift card to an office supply store (for storage and organizational items)
• Subscription to a genealogy website like Ancestry, Fold3 (military records), or My Heritage 
• Subscription to a genealogy magazine like Family Tree Magazine or Internet Genealogy
• Digital photo frame
• DNA testing kit (like Ancestry or 23 and Me)
• Genealogy Software (like Roots Magic or BackBlaze)
• Professional Genealogist Assistance such as Genealogy.Coach
• Monogrammed Tote Bag/Backpack (for taking to the library or on genealogy trips)
• Genealogy T Shirt
• Family Recipes, Photos, Letters, or Diaries
• Family Heirloom
• Gift Certificate/I Owe You to help with organizing, scanning or writing out forms
• Travel Gift Cards (airfare, gas cards, or hotel)
• Address book with contact information for family members
• Books about the community that is being researched
• Agree to be interviewed
• Donation to the researcher’s favorite organization in their name (for me that would include the Sons and Daughters of the United States Middle Passage or the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies)

Also during this time of year, I like to take advantage of sales to buy thank you cards and gifts.  When I interview relatives or when people help me with my research, I give them a thank you gift.  These are just a few of what’s in my thank you stash box.

• Thank You Cards
• Candles
• Scarves
• Hand Lotions
• Photo Frames
• Gourmet Teas/Coffees

These are just some of my favorite genealogy things.  With Black Friday and Cyber Monday just around the corner, you should be able to find some really good deals while shopping.  Just remember the most special gift is a gift that comes from the heart and that comes from a place of thoughtfulness and love.