The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far…
With Mother’s Day on the not-so-distant horizon, and Father’s Day falling shortly after, you’ll be hard-pressed not to spend at least a little time over the next few weeks thinking about the people that gave your life, or raised you up. Sometimes though? I get sort of giddy thinking about the people that made my parents into the wonderful people they are, and the people that madetheir parents the amazing caregivers and grandparents that I knew. The truth is, genealogy is super neat when you get right down to it – and what’s even cooler is today’s technology makes it easier than ever to track down your great, great, great, great family. And please, interpret ‘great’ as you will.
As you think about family, let me introduce you to a really neat concept for any parent – Jen O’Neill’s My Tree And Me customized family trees. Available in over a dozen eye-catching designs from traditional but artfully rendered trees to graphic prints of flowers, birds, and circles, this is your chance to document your family roots in a completely one-of-a-kind way.
All you gotta do is sit down and puzzle out how many generations back you can chart your family history. Pick out the associated print that matches the number of generations you’ve got nailed, and order it from My Tree & Me. They’ll send you a simple questionnaire so you can fill in the blanks, and in just a couple of weeks time, you’ll have a beautiful art print to hang in your home (hint: top up your gift with a gift cert to a local framing shop).
Why do I love this as a gift idea? Well for one, I love Jen’s genuine sentiment behind starting her business. After having a child of her own, she suddenly became aware of her place in a long line of mothers that were some small part of her own newly expanded family. Creating a family tree was both a comfort, to know many other parents had gone through the same trials and tribulations she had at one point, but also a reminder that she had generations’ worth of wisdom and humour to channel into her own parenting.
For another, I feel like this is a really diverse gift. The range of tree designs created by Jen are completely adaptable for the personal tastes and projected placement of the piece you choose. If you’re gifting a new arrival to a friend or sibling’s family with a legacy piece of art, consider one of the softer palettes and more whimsical designs – but know the one-time infant can definitely grow into it. If you’re surprising mom with a visual representation of her roots & fruits, go for something elegant that matches their decor. Births, weddings, adoptions, Mother’s / Father’s Day, or even milestone birthdays are all awesome occasions to buy one of these prints for.
You’ll also be chuffed to hear that the prints come in a good range of sizes and prices, with most hovering around the $65 mark, but starting as low as $36. My Tree & Me does ship to Canada for around $20 – keeping in mind that’s to ship it properly so your print doesn’t get damaged in transit. And well worth it I might add!
Finally I’ve got a bit of good news, at least for one lucky reader. I’m giving away the Folks Is Folk print from Jen’s shop to one lucky reader. To enter:
1) Tell me which My Tree & Me print you’d most like to own (or gift) yourself by leaving a comment on this post by May 8th at midnight.
2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around May 8th to select the winner, who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.
3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible to participate in this promotion.
4) Bonus Entry: ‘Like’ My Tree And Me on Facebook. Come back here and report you’ve done so, along with the username you use on FB so I can verify you actually did it!
Canadian Gift Guide 
I love the slice of live 5 generations. liked on facebook user name janicour
I’m actually stuck between two designs. Ah!
If I had to choose one, I think I would choose the “peacock” tree.
The Slice of Life 5 Generations is my favorite, it is like a sun burst.
proud as a peacock
I would love to win the “Proud as a Peacock” (pastels)
i definitly like the proud as a peacock tree!!!
I’d love to own the Proud as a Peacock Tree
I really like the Proud as a Peacock Tree in Brights
I like My Tree and Me on FB
FB name S u z a n n e G i r o u x
I love the traditional tree style,
I like the Proud as a Peacock Tree in Brights
I love Proud as a Peacock Tree
I would love to win ‘Proud as a Peacock Tree’.
I ❤ Proud as a Peacock Tree Brights
I like the “Birds of a Feather” design.
I would like my family in the “Peacock”design
I’m stuck between the peacock and the octopus… love both designs. Great idea! If you want the challenge of a huge family tree… PICK ME!
I like the flower one best!
I like the “Proud as a Peacock” Tree in pastels. #CGG
I “Liked” My tree and me on Facebook and said that Canadian Gift Guide sent me over!
My facebook name is Susan Huston.
I’d like the peacock one
I think they are all lovely and unique. If I was to choose though I suppose I would pick the “Proud as a Peacock Tree” but I might change my mind… 🙂
Liked My Tree And Me on Facebook-Jeannette Naylor Laframboise
Folks Is Folk is my Dave and I am glad this is the one you are giving away. My mom would love this!
I like Proud as a Peacock in Brights. If I could I would get all 😉
I also “liked” on facebook with the same name or ly.wilkinson
love the proud as a peacock!!! Great site!
I like number 4 as my favorite family tree design.
They are all so fantastic but I think the peacock one in pastels is my top choice!
I like the Proud as a Peacock Tree in Pastels
I like Petals a Plenty…the gift Folks is Folk is really my choice
from a large family 12 kids so proud as a peacock would be my choice.
I like The Apple Dosen’t Fall Far!
ALL THESE DESIGNS ARE SO NEAT!
I really Like…Birds of a Feather, Proud as a Peacock Tree – Pastels & Minimalist Octopus.
Good Luck!!! 🙂
I love the folk is folk. I would love to give it to someone I know !
I very much like the one in the frame – nice tasteful delicate designs, yet simple. It would be very striking on the wall.
Liked on facebook! I love them all but would pick the Peacock Tree. User name : Annie Demill
The tree
I love the minimalist octopus. I’d love to have that for my boy. 🙂
Liked on facebook, too.
Deirdre Statham is my user name.
I love the Proud as a Peacock Tree in the pastels. The design is reminiscent of the Celtic tree of life and a picture I’ve seen of a carving on Saint Marks Basilica in Venice. I think it’s a wonderful mix of modern and classic elements. I think it would easily work with many different decor styles. I think it would grace any room you put it in and is a loving testament to ones family.
Wow! The peacock would look great on my walls.
I like the proud as a peacock tree (brights), love the colours!
I like the “Proud as a Peacock Brights”, but your giveaway “Folks is Folks” is a close second.
liked on FB
I love the Proud as Peacock in Pastel!
Like them on FB
Debbie M Petts