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“What I Love About You from A to Z” Mini-Book Gift

"What I Love About You from A to Z" Mini-Book | Creative gift idea that will lavish your recipient with love through 26 different affirmations, one for each letter of the alphabet! Gotta love it when gifts are inexpensive, yet oh so meaningful.
So, I’m sort of a gift fanatic–we’ve established that fact–and some of my favorite gifts are the ones that just keep going and going (insert token Energizer bunny reference here).

And going.  …  For instance:

Why give the gift of one date night when you can plan out 12 Months of Dates?

Why give one birthday gift when you can give 30 Gifts to Celebrate 30 Years?

Why share just one thing you love about someone, when you can share 26 things you love about them, from A to Z?

Amiright?

I see those nods out there!  So, now that we’re in agreement (smile), I’d love to share how I transformed that last example into a mini-book gift that I wrapped up and gave to Mark this Christmas.

In fact, this was the only gift I gave to Mark this year, since we decided to keep it simple with one gift each.  No pressure, right?

After a few nights of wracking my brain, I had my ah-ha moment: I would give him a book of affirmations for each letter of the alphabet!

"What I Love About You from A to Z" Mini-Book | Creative gift idea that will lavish your recipient with love through 26 different affirmations, one for each letter of the alphabet! Gotta love it when gifts are inexpensive, yet oh so meaningful. This is a great one for birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine's Day, Christmas...or ordinary days!

You see, two years ago, I was introduced to the notion of this gift idea by my friend Kelly from Cobwebs, Cupcakes, and Crayons.  For her husband’s birthday, she gifted him with a photo book called “Annabelle and Daddy’s Alphabet Book.”  She used photos of the two of them over the years, highlighting their shared moments with each letter of the alphabet. Her blog is no longer live on the internet, but you’ll have to take my word on it: it was super creative and oh so adorable.

That gift idea made a real impression on me.  And I’m just so excited I could adapt that concept into a mini-book for Mark that is essentially an “attack-hug” of affirmations.

Who knows, maybe this will spark some inspiration for you as you seek to lavish love upon someone in your life this Valentine’s Day or beyond!  (Sometimes the best gifts are on ordinary days.)

Dear reader, I’d love to give you a sneak peek at some of the pages inside my mini-book gift.  Here ya go:

For & From

I always like to include a “for” and “from” page…just so there’s no confusion!  (Tee hee.)

"What I Love About You from A to Z" Mini-Book | Creative gift idea that will lavish your recipient with love through 26 different affirmations, one for each letter of the alphabet! Gotta love it when gifts are inexpensive, yet oh so meaningful. This is a great one for birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine's Day, Christmas...or ordinary days!

Blank Pages

I also included 2 blank pages for a personalized note with mention of the year and occasion.  That keeps things crystal clear for when our brains inevitably get foggy.  #sadbuttrue

"What I Love About You from A to Z" Mini-Book | Creative gift idea that will lavish your recipient with love through 26 different affirmations, one for each letter of the alphabet! Gotta love it when gifts are inexpensive, yet oh so meaningful. This is a great one for birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine's Day, Christmas...or ordinary days!

A to Z!

Then, there’s a page for each letter of the alphabet, from A…

"What I Love About You from A to Z" Mini-Book | Creative gift idea that will lavish your recipient with love through 26 different affirmations, one for each letter of the alphabet! Gotta love it when gifts are inexpensive, yet oh so meaningful. This is a great one for birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine's Day, Christmas...or ordinary days!

…to Z…

"What I Love About You from A to Z" Mini-Book | Creative gift idea that will lavish your recipient with love through 26 different affirmations, one for each letter of the alphabet! Gotta love it when gifts are inexpensive, yet oh so meaningful. This is a great one for birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine's Day, Christmas...or ordinary days!

…and in between!

"What I Love About You from A to Z" Mini-Book | Creative gift idea that will lavish your recipient with love through 26 different affirmations, one for each letter of the alphabet! Gotta love it when gifts are inexpensive, yet oh so meaningful. This is a great one for birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine's Day, Christmas...or ordinary days!

Tips For Making Your Own:

Tip #1:  Print in High Quality on Cardstock

Be sure to print using your printer’s highest quality photo settings, that way your colors will be more vibrant and the lines more crisp.  I also recommend using white cardstock to help the mini-book stand the test of time (with all those page flips).

Tip #2:  Write a Rough Draft

So, before I filled out my A to Z mini-cards, I actually wrote out the letters A to Z down the side of a piece of paper, and I drafted out the text for each letter.  I jumped around as new ideas came to me…I made edits and changes.  This set me up for success when writing out my affirmations on the mini pages themselves for the “final draft.”  I didn’t need to reprint even one page!

"What I Love About You from A to Z" Mini-Book | Creative gift idea that will lavish your recipient with love through 26 different affirmations, one for each letter of the alphabet! Gotta love it when gifts are inexpensive, yet oh so meaningful. This is a great one for birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine's Day, Christmas...or ordinary days!

Tip #3:  Be Specific & Write with Voice

As you write, challenge yourself to be specific in your affirmations; that way, they will hold even more weight with your recipient.  Also, don’t hold back from allowing your natural writer’s voice to shine through.  This is the perfect opportunity to be personal and lighthearted.

Here’s a potential example for the letter “T.”  (Or “C” depending on how you think of it.)

“Top Chef: Thank you for making such yummy hot breakfasts on the weekends.”

Now, here’s take 2 with added details and voice.

“Top Chef: You know the way to my heart with your southwestern omelets on Saturday mornings. Mmm good!”

Did you catch that specificity?  And the more conversational tone?  These slight adjustments can make a world of difference as your recipient reads through the mini-book for the first time, experiencing their “attack-hug” to the max!

Tip #4: How to Deal with that Pesky Letter “X”

Feel free to “bend” the rules a little bit when it comes to tricky letters…like “X” for example.  You might do what I did and choose a word that almost start with the letter “X.”  Such as:

  • eXcitable
  • eXuberant
  • eXpressive
  • eXpert
  • eXtraordinary
  • eXplorer
  • eXpedient
  • fleXible

UPDATE: Tip #5:  How to Deal with that Pesky Letter “Q”

I actually am adding this one in since several have reported struggles with this letter, and it’s true – – it’s not easy.  I actually used “Quick” for mine, as in “Quick to forgive and ask for forgiveness.”  Here are some other “Q” words to get you started:

  • Quick to _______
  • Quick witted
  • Quirky
  • Quiet
  • Quite _______
  • Questioning (can be a great quality1)
  • Quality
  • eloQuent
  • eQuable (calm; not easily angered)
  • inQuisitive
  • uniQue

Tip #6:  Assembly & Binding

Cut and hole-punch each mini-card, then carefully place them in order with any additional dedication or personalized pages where you want them.  Then you can *bind the book together using a binder ring like I did or even some twine or ribbon.  I have become so obsessed with mini-books, that I just keep a collection of binder rings in my craft storage at all times.  For realz.

"What I Love About You from A to Z" Mini-Book | Creative gift idea that will lavish your recipient with love through 26 different affirmations, one for each letter of the alphabet! Gotta love it when gifts are inexpensive, yet oh so meaningful. This is a great one for birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine's Day, Christmas...or ordinary days!

Tip #7:  Consider Adding Divider Pages

If you want to fatten up your mini-book even more, you can add divider pages in between each of your cardstock pages using pretty scrapbook paper.  Or your divider pages might include photos of your recipient or the two of you together.

Insert colorful paper in between your mini-cards for added whimsy!

Bottom line: you are going to make someone’s day, week, month, year with this gift!

"What I Love About You from A to Z" Mini-Book | Creative gift idea that will lavish your recipient with love through 26 different affirmations, one for each letter of the alphabet! Gotta love it when gifts are inexpensive, yet oh so meaningful. This is a great one for birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine's Day, Christmas...or ordinary days!

Grab the Printable

If you have a loved one who would appreciate a barrage of love in the form of a “What I Love About You From A to Z” mini-book, there are two different ways for you to get your hands on this printable.

1.  Printable only: you can grab the PDF printable as an instant download for only $0.99.  Just click HERE or on the button below to make your purchase.

click HERE to buy your "what I love about you from A to Z" printable!

2.  eBook with 11 Printables: this printable is just one of 11 that come with my book, Thinking Outside the Gift Box: 75 Simple & Meaningful Gift Ideas to Spark Your Creativity.  So, if you’d like a flood of inspiration for more inexpensive yet heartfelt gifts, be sure to click HERE or on the button below to check out some sample chapters, read some rave reviews, and nab a copy in eBook or paperback form.  Join the revolution as we discover the joy of giving!

Thinking Outside the Gift Box by Lauren Lanker | 75 Simple & Meaningful Gift Ideas to Spark Your Creativity

Click HERE to learn more about Lauren's eBook, Thinking Outside the Gift Box

More Mini-Book Goodness

If you’re like me and just can’t get enough of these mini-books, be sure to check out my 12 Months of Date Nights Mini-Book Gifts.  In fact, there just might be a fab freebie for email subscribers!  (Wink wink.)

Mini-Book Madness! (The best kind.) Be sure to check out both the "What I Love About You from A to Z" mini-book and the "12 Months of Pre-Planned Dates" mini-book for some meaningful gifts that happen to be quick and easy to put together (and inexpensive!).

To Close

So, friends, before I sign off, I just want to give you some food for thought.  Whether it’s with a “What I Love About You from A to Z” gift or a surprise note on the kitchen counter, ask yourself:

How can I share specific affirmations to lavish love upon the people in my life?

Let that sink in.

Then, go forth and lavish away!  Not only will your loved ones be blessed, but you’ll experience the overwhelming joy that comes from leading a life of giving.

Mini-Book Madness! (The best kind.) Be sure to check out both the "What I Love About You from A to Z" mini-book and the "12 Months of Pre-Planned Dates" mini-book for some meaningful gifts that happen to be quick and easy to put together (and inexpensive!).

*Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase after clicking through, The Thinking Closet may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Thanks for helping to support this site!

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33 Comments

  1. just purchased the little book! It is so cute and perfect for Christmas:) I think my boyfriend will really love it!

    Thank you Lauren and lots of love from Germany!

  2. Lauren,

    I absolutely love this! It is my one year anniversary with my boyfriend soon and I know he would appreciate this. Quick question…for those of us with TERRIBLE handwriting, is there a way to type it out on the printable document, or just go with he loves me even if my handwriting is awful? Thanks again!

    1. Unfortunately, the document isn’t set up for you to be able to type within it…but you could type out your responses on a separate paper and glue them in? Or perhaps commission a friend with handwriting you enjoy to write out your text? Or better yet, I like your suggestion! He loves you even if your handwriting is “awful.” Which I’m sure it’s not! Hope that helps!

  3. WoW! That gift is so amazing and very unique. It actually shows that you took your time to create it for your spouse and I know mine will love it. Now I can’t wait for the day to come.Thank you so so much!!!!!

  4. Hi this is such a stinkin cute idea, and why didn’t I think of it for my hubby…..lol. Great idea for his birthday. Coming over from the Something to Talk About Link Party and of course please join us tomorrow morning at 6 am est too. Happy Sunday, Lisa at Concord Cottage.

  5. I know I already left a comment but I wanted to leave another one thanking you for linking up to our Something to Talk About Link Party. You’re one of the sweetest people I know and you totally made my day. Hugs, CoCo

    1. Aw, shuckerooski! I was so honored to receive a personal invite from YOU (one of the sweetest people I know!). I can’t think of a more welcoming party host than you, CoCo. Now, I’ve gotta get to creating some new goodies so I can link up again!

  6. I LOVE this! I’m a homeschooler of a kindergartener (and a 6th-grader), so of course this made me think of my kiddos! My hubby and I are going to make each of them one of these for Valentine’s Day. We think it’s a great way to affirm who God made them to be! Thanks so much for sharing/offering this!

  7. This is such a thoughtful gift, Lauren! I really love how it teaches us to be thankful and appreciative towards the ones we love. It’s so easy to take one another for granted, and a simple reminder of the character qualities that made us fall in love in the first place can make a big difference. I can’t wait to fill mine out for Joseph! 🙂

  8. Love this! But you knew I’d say that, right? And thanks for the help in thinking up words with the letter ‘x’…I was trying to think of something having to do with xylophones and x-rays and it was just not working. 😉 Have a great weekend! Pinning and sharing this! 🙂

  9. Wow Lauren .. you’ve done it again! What a fabulous idea, especially right before Valentines Day when we want to express our love to our Spouse in a new and unique way! I’m actually working on ‘my alphabet list’ now and hope to surprise Dad with one of these babies! Great inspiration!

  10. Lauren you are so sweet! I know Mark must have been blown away by this thoughtful gift. There are several people that I know would love this gift and I’m so excited that it’s small enough to mail. Sending you hugs and thanks so much for the idea! Coco

  11. Oh Lauren! You have done it again! What a fabulous idea! I am going to make one of these for sure. I love that it is such a simple design but really great for those boys who don’t do ‘faff’! haha! I think I may have to take your advice and cheat a little on the ‘X’ though…and maybe the ‘Q’ but I will have to see how creative I can get! Super fun Lauren, as ever! Thank you so much for sharing lovely 😀

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