Finding the right holiday gift can be a challenging task, especially if you want to show a more personal touch. Fortunately, the digital age has made it easier than ever before to create fantastic homemade gifts for family and friends that they can enjoy at home or while traveling. With the following steps, you can turn any CD or DVD into a lasting creation that is sure to show loved ones how much you appreciate them.
Step 1: Choosing Your Discs
When choosing the right kind of disc for your gift, you will need to examine its storage capacity, durability and compatibility. DVDs are the best choice for storing video due to their larger capacities, but CDs are better suited for audio because they are compatible with the vast majority of media players, including those ten-year-old car stereos.
In addition, purchasing durable media will ensure that your gift can be cherished for the years to come. Archive-grade discs from quality manufacturers such as Taiyo Yuden are designed to last for many years with careful storage. Also, having your disc laminated will add scratch protection and will prevent an Inkjet printable CD label from moisture damage.
Step 2: Content
Now that you have picked the right disc for your creation, the real fun can begin. Thanks to affordable (or free) software, designing multimedia gifts is a snap for even the most inexperienced computer user. Here are just a few ideas:
Creating a personalized music mix is an obvious choice if you are using a blank CD-R, though you can also make your own audio book with voice recording software. These are especially good gifts for long-distance loved ones who miss your company. Robust programs such as Nero for burning and GoldWave for voice recording offer many features, but there are also free options such as CDBurnerXP and Free Audio Recorder.
Digital slideshow presentations for CDs and DVDs also make wonderful holiday gifts by sharing your memories with style. Even if you do not own a digital camera or a scanner, there are companies that can convert your photos and negatives to digital copies. Free slideshow programs such as Microsoft Movie Maker and Apple’s iMovie are very simple to use and will allow you to add extras such as music.
Since video recording technology has become extremely affordable and portable, it’s easy to design a fantastic home video DVD to share with family and friends. Free programs, such as Movie Maker and iMovie, are simple enough to “drag and drop” the scenes you want when creating chapters, and they also offer customizable DVD main menus for a more personal touch.
Step 3: Presentation
If you have ever opened a beautifully-wrapped gift, then you know how important it is to make a good presentation. With an inkjet printable CD or DVD, label making software and a compatible printer, you can design professional-looking disc labels that will amaze everyone. Best of all, many label making programs include tools for creating jewel case inserts that will truly allow your CD or DVD to stand out amongst the Sharpie-scribbled pile.
With these steps, you can create a thoughtful (and media friendly) gift that can be customized for even the most difficult person on your holiday shopping list.
Brandi Tolleson makes many wonderful gifts for her friends and family.
