When it comes to navigating the world of creative and original gift giving, I don’t consider myself Christopher Columbus. We moms are busy, and the thought of trying to one-up another imaginative Boca parent at the next children’s birthday party makes me want to R.S.V.P. with a big N-O.
I think this is why etsy.com was invented—for parents like me who aspire to be unique, but are practical, time poor and prone to outsourcing.
My latest “crafty creation?” A custom printed map for my daughter’s 2nd birthday that highlights all that has been her “world” for the past year.
Yes, you will find Elmo Island and Cookie Monster Manor among The Torpey Islands (her cousins’ islands) in Avery’s World. That’s what’s so different about this milestone gift from Your Land Maps.
This Etsy store is the brainchild of a retired cartographer now based in Sarasota, Florida. Years ago, he drew a sketch map for his youngest son. On it was everything that came from the important things in his (then) 3-year-old’s life: his brothers and sister, the toys he played with, his mom, his dad, his steadfast refusal to ever take a nap, and even the way he pronounced words. It hung on his wall until he went to college. After many people asked for their own versions, Your Land Maps was born.
Here’s how it works: After selecting and purchasing a map template, you will receive a worksheet guide and blank map so you can get to work filling out all that is important to your child. We made a list and then asked family members for their input. After sending the completed documents back, a full color draft version of our map with place names was sent to us via email for approval. A few tweaks later and we received our gorgeous, printed map in the mail to frame and hang.
We love it, and best of all, our daughter now has a beautiful memory of toddlerhood hanging on her wall for years to come. And this Boca Mom is pretty confident she has her future gift giving strategy all mapped out…
Disclosure: I was given a complimentary map from Your Land Maps in exchange for a review of the product. All opinions expressed in this blog post are my own and not influenced in any way by the sponsor. Any statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with provider.
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About Michelle
Michelle Olson-Rogers, a native to Boca, is the founder of ModernBocaMom.com, a lifestyle website for the stylish & modern South Florida Mommy. Modern Boca Mom features events for both mom and kids, activities, classes, fitness, dining and shopping options as well as a weekly Mompreneur spotlight! A Mompreneur herself, Michelle truly believes that working moms (and dads!) instill an unparalleled work ethic in their kids. She and her husband Andrew have one daughter, Avery.
