<p>I’m trying to think of some ideas to give as presents this year for Christmas. My Sister, BIL, niece, and brother will be descending upon the chuckledoodle family for Christmas this year. It has been 6 years since I have seen Sister, BIL, and niece and 10 years since I have seen my brother.</p>
<p>I was thinking about getting 3 digital photo frames for Sister/BIL, niece, Brother and filling it with pictures- I am the keeper of all family pictures- professional and candid. Most of the time I was taking the pictures. I think these would be a great gifts because it would be small enough to carry on an airplane. Plus, my brother through his years of drug and alcohol addiction had lost everything. he has been clean and sober for 3+ years, so I want to give him something that holds good memories. I was also thinking about making a hard copy photo album, but not sure if I can pull it off in the short amount of time be tween now and Christmas (plus I’m a procrastinator and control freak with slight OCD tendencies ).</p>
<p>Does anyone have any recommendations for digital photo frames- how long do they last anyway? And does anyone have experience with online memory album makers?</p>
<p>I think I’ve given the photo frames to at least 5 people and none of them really use them. They were loaded up with pictures and people looked at them at first, maybe a couple of times after that, and then it gets shoved into a corner powered off.</p>
<p>I’ve seen one person actually using a photo frame regularly - a co-worker who has one on his desk at work. </p>
<p>The photo frame seems like such a good idea but I think all too often they just end up powered off gathering dust. It may work in your case though.</p>
<p>Got a 15" for Mom 94yo
It’s not On all the time.
A used laptop with MS media or like is better. </p>
<p>I am using a TOSHIBA, Satellite, 384Meg internal memory, 300GB hd that cost me $25, for internet. My Dell picked up a virus and I got frustrated with McAfee and accidently-on purpose deleted some critical files-So now I don’t have to put up with McAfee and a Dell that bogs down. rant.</p>
<p>My SIL did a great one for my ln laws, that year I spent several months there and NEVER saw them turn it on, for many in their generation, the power saving depression era mindset does not allow them to just let it run…crazy, but true. For others of that generation, the changing photos may be tough for the time it takes them to focus and concentrate on it.</p>
<p>I keep doing calendar’s for those in laws, they keep them as photo albums after the year is up</p>
<p>That being said, people our age, especially someone like your brother who lost all his photo history, may be techy enough to actually use it and enjoy it.</p>
<p>Last year I loaded a digital frame for my H to put on his desk after I discovered he was displaying only two photos: me from about 1987 and S and me from 1996. It was just weird. (I don’t go in his office very often.) He says he turns the frame on every day (or maybe he uses the timer), and people comment on the photos. This reminds me it’s time for an update.</p>
<p>The idea of the photo album for your brother is very sweet. I’ll bet he would love it. As a “memory book” I would do print instead of the digital frame. I have made quite a few on my Mac using iPhoto and the Apple online service. I really like them. There are plenty of other services, too, but I like the quality and the templates that iPhoto/Apple provides. My advice is not to bite off more than you can chew. Edit the photos to a manageable number, or you’ll spend hours moving them around until you like the layout.</p>
<p>I have a digital frame in my living room… Love it. Mine is an Insignia (best buy’s brand)… I have the 9 inch frame and i think it cost me about 70 bucks.</p>
<p>Never known anyone to actually use them after a week. I have one in my closet never taken out of the box. I think the print books are much better and many online vendors (Shutterfly, MPix) can get them done very quickly. Signup for their coupons and you’ll probably get a free shipping code before you need it.</p>
<p>The kids bought one for my husband two years ago for his birthday and never got around to loading pictures on it. I just ran across it last night, still in the box while cleaning out our office!!</p>
<p>My aunt leaves hers on, or at least it is always on when we are over there. If has pictures of her grandchildren on it and the kids enjoy looking at themselves when they come to visit.</p>
).</p>