Advice On Signed Christmas Gifts

by Tom Boy

posted on 10/28/2009

Shopping for meaningful, suitable Christmas or holiday gifts, especially on a tight budget, can be tremendously challenging. Gift selection for people who may have most anything they want is especially difficult. So here is a suggestion that can make a gift totally unique and wonderfully meaningful without necessarily making it any more expensive: Get it signed.

There are numerous ways to get autographs of people who will matter to the recipient: the simplest but not always the best way is to look for signed items at on-line auctions or to work with an autograph dealer. This is the easiest way to get celebrity sports memorabilia. The most difficult way is to try to be one of the lucky people who will get anywhere near a celebrity at an event or sports game. Between these two approaches there are several simpler ways to collect a meaningful signature.

First, a meaningful person need not be a famous person. When shopping for students, for instance, consider their teachers and their colleagues. For example, try getting the high school football player a football signed by all his teammates -- without his knowing about it, of course. Or find out what a college student's favorite professor has written, and contact the professor to see whether he or she will sign their books. Or try putting together a scrapbook or album where every family member has signed a photo or brief message to the recipient -- this can become quite an heirloom as grandparents and other family members age or pass away.

Second, look for signings at bookstores. Even if you cannot be there, it is sometimes possible to work something out to have the store reserve a signed copy. Many bookstores also have authors sign extra copies, so when shooping at book dealers, learn the store's way of desgnating signed copies and look for what they have on hand. Some authors will also sign their works if you contact their institution -- for instance, President Jimmy Carter will sign his works if you order them through the presidential library and are willing to wait up to twelve weeks. Most book sellers with websites announce their author signing events there.

Third, look for art work that is signed and numbered: even when ordering posters and other reproductions, find out whether signed copies are available. Consignment stores and other second hand sellers often have very nice framed art, and it is often signed and well-framed.

Last, try writing a letter, either requesting a signature or simply with the hopes that a reply will be hand-signed. Political leaders, such as state governors, are often agreeable to this approach, particularly if there is a a special reason for the request. The agents for many celebrities also can supply "pre-printed" autographed photos -- this means the item is not individually signed, and that the signature is part of the reproduction process. Nevertheless, it can make a great gift.

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