Here’s a gift to consider for that special family on your list. Find out what’s available in your gift recipient’s area and get them an annual membership. In our area, some of the favorite places include the zoo, science museum, aquarium, children’s museum, art museums, and others. If your recipients already have a membership, it is usually very easy to add another year to their membership.

Photo courtesy of the Brooklyn Children’s Museum

Starting with October, here are some month-by-month tips to get great themed pictures of the kids for your fabulous calendar next year.

October:

• dress in overalls, photo in pumpkin patch, cornfield, hay bales
• halloween costumes, trick or treat bags, candlelight

November:

• dress in aprons and chef hats, action photo of them cooking in the kitchen
• Pilgrims or Native Americans, Thanksgiving props – harvest corn, cornucopia

December:

• dress in coordinating pajamas in front of the Christmas tree
• Family Christmas card photo
• matching scarves and singing carols

January:

• dress in winter clothes in the snow, skiing, or ice skating
• New Year’s scene with party hats and horns

February:

• dress in blue jeans with red and white tops, photo on your sofa
• cardmaking action photo

March:

• dress in gardening gear, photo of kids planting seeds in the dirt
• St. Patrick’s Day theme, green clothes, shamrocks, etc.

April:

• dress in Easter clothes, photo in front of Easter lilies or baskets
• rainy day theme with raincoats, boots and umbrellas, or splashing in puddles

May:

• dress in shorts and t-shirts, photo of kids playing in new grass
• planting flowers, gardening, school’s out theme
• Memorial Day theme, photo with relative/family friend in the armed forces

June:

• dress in play clothes, photo of kids posing with bikes
• beach scene, swimsuits
• vacation photos, roadtrip theme

July:

• dress in red, white, and blue, photo with American flag or other patriotic symbol
• picnic theme
• historical landmark theme

August:

• dress in back-to-school clothes, photo with backpacks and lunchboxes, holding an apple for the teacher
• park theme with photo on the slide or swings, or all the kids hanging from monkeybars

September:

• dress in favorite football team fan gear, photo at a game or with a football and/or pompoms

If you wanted to, you could certainly go back through your photos from last year, or have a crazy photo session and dress up for each on of these photos for a 2009 calendar. It’s a good time to plan ahead, though, and decide if this is something you’d like to do for next year. If it is, mark these photo days on your calendar now!