The website Smart Traveler has named Family Cookbook Project software to it’s 40 Best Foodie Gifts You Can Still Get in Time for Christmas. Not only do family cookbooks filled with personal recipes make a great gift, but giving someone you love the gift of Family Cookbook Project allows them to create their own treasured cookbook!
During our recent survey of more than 2,000 cookbook editors, we asked them to please tell us in their own words about your experience creating a family cookbook with Familycookbookproject.com. Here are what some of them said:
I love being able to share recipes easily between myself and other family members. In addition, I have accessed the cookbook many times from my phone when I am traveling or grocery shopping. I hope to print it one day for my children and grandchildren, but it is still a work in progress!
I was so happy to find a site that I could create and print a family cookbook. My children are always wanting recipes and what a better way than to have it all in one place for them when they need it. The website is so easy to use. I am almost finished with Home with the Hamiltons cookbook and I can’t wait to see the end result! – Janet
My mom has dementia and is quickly looking memories, I wanted to save as many memories as possible for me, my brothers and our kids. I also wanted to include recipes from family members that have already passed so they would not be forgotten. – Nancy, Hosiner family cookbook
Loved the ease of adding new recipes. I also loved being able to search for recipes by either category or contributor. – Karah, Goetschius Family Cookbook
Family Cookbook was a Godsend. We knew what we wanted and found them to be easy to work with. The end result is something we are still so proud of. We sold several hundred and are working on #2 due to the success of our first family cookbook. We have presold over 100 just by sending out an email. We are a family of good cooks and honestly, Family cookbook helped us every step of the way and will on #2! Thanks so much. – Cheryl, Four Sisters Cookbook
Such an amazing way for families to consolidate all their recipes no matter how far apart they are to create an heirloom for generations to come. Thanks Family Cookbook! – Katharine, WhoDat Family Favorites
I really enjoyed working on our first TOPS Chapter cookbook using Family Cookbook Project, It took much longer to collect recipes from the ladies than to edit the book. My next project is to collect my favorite family recipes to make a new cookbook for myself!
Collecting family recipes and compiling them into a family cookbook has been a wonderful adventure and a fun trip down memory lane as I fondly remember amazing family dinners full of laughter and delicious food!
The Family Cookbook Project is dedicated to helping individuals and families collect and preserve the time-honored recipes that are so important to our family traditions. This website has helped thousands of families and groups coordinate the creation of personalized cookbooks by provides step-by-step instructions and online tools to create a valuable family heirloom. Personalized cookbooks are also used by schools and church groups as important fundraisers. Start your own cookbook today at www.FamilyCookbookProject.com.
During our recent survey of more than 2,000 cookbook editors, we asked them to please tell us in their own words about your experience creating a family cookbook with Familycookbookproject.com. Here are what some of them said:
It is a delight looking through The Matthews Family Cookbook Project. My Mom passed away recently and it always brings a smile to my face seeing her recipes in print.–Amy Spino
It was a lot of work, but I had a great time putting it together. Didn’t advertise, just let locals know via FB. Was overwhelmed with compliments and sales. Received many letters thanking me for doing this cookbook. So pleased with the results and plan to do a Vol.III and offer to sell through stores, etc. So much fun! – Linda, Favorite Recipes from Wardell Party Home, Vol. 2
We sold 526 cookbooks in 14 months and made a net profit of $5,172. Mr Lowell was quick to respond to my questions. The cookbook was completed in 3 months, 461 recipes. The funds allowed us to support many of our outreach programs. I highly recommend familycookbookproject.com.– Glendale Christian Church Ladies Circle Cookbook, Donna, Editor.
The Eaton, Jorae, & Plunkett Reunion Remembrances Cookbook was done to celebrate the 100th year our Eaton descendants coming together. We decided that a cookbook and bookmarks were the winners over t-shirts, hats, mugs, etc. Everyone was invited to participate and directions were shared. It was a labor of love. With Gail as our’ editor, Family Cookbook Project guided us and our cookbook was published with ease. Thank you, guys
Creating my cookbook was fun and easy! My family and I completed ours together as a memorial to my grandfather who was an amazing baker. During the process we were able to share stories of growing up in his kitchen and now we have those to pass on to the next generation.
I had been looking for an affordable cookbook site to compile a family cookbook as a gift to my grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. This is the first site I found that could fill my needs. The site is user-friendly, provides easy editing and numerous options. When I had a couple of questions, I received a surprisingly quick response. I haven’t completed the book but am enjoying the process.
I created one for my family and friends. When I talked about how much we enjoyed it with my church family, they wanted to do one for the church.
This was a great way to assemble family favorites and connect personal stories and memories to each. It was a gift of good taste and memories that I could leave to my family since I had been diagnosed with a serious illness last summer…..book and I am still here! Great Christmas gift! – Lore of the Mmmm, Yumm, Funn Family Cookbook
The Family Cookbook Project is dedicated to helping individuals and families collect and preserve the time-honored recipes that are so important to our family traditions. This website has helped thousands of families and groups coordinate the creation of personalized cookbooks by provides step-by-step instructions and online tools to create a valuable family heirloom. Personalized cookbooks are also used by schools and church groups as important fundraisers. Start your own cookbook today at www.FamilyCookbookProject.com.
We asked the editors of the Family Cookbook Project “Why did you create your family cookbook project?”
Of the more than 2,000 editors who responded to the survey, here are the most popular reasons given to start of family cookbook:
70% To save family recipes for future generations
35% To create one source for all my recipes
34% To give as gifts
22% To bring my family together
20% Because it was fun
Comments most often included the cookbook was used to honor a mother or grandmother and help keep their memory alive after their passing.
Here are a sample of some of the other comments we received about why they began a family cookbook project.
Fundraiser to help the church update the fellowship hall.
Special gift for my son and new daughter in law for their bridal shower.
Wedding Favors
I needed a central location for all my recipes.
To make these recipes available to more people in my family.
Everyone would always tell me to write a cookbook !!
My son and family gave it to me as a gift and now I do want to save the family recipes for future generations
Fundraiser for my son’s school in Arlington Tx.
To bring co-workers together.
It helped my sister and I have something to do together with miles separating us. It also helped us for us on the positive things in our lives as my brother in laws health was failing.
To honor a deceased friend who was a great cook.
The first cookbook was as a wedding celebration gift for a young member of our family. The purpose of the second cookbook was multi-factoral: 1) we wanted to create an archive/bank for family recipes and photos that were being hoarded by some family members, 2) we wanted to bring the family together, 3) we wanted to create enthusiasm for a family reunion, 4) we wanted to subtly remind family members that all our ancestors were immigrants., hoping to dampted the mean-spirited banter about immigrants that would have been antithetical to all our ancestors’ values.
To celebrate our town’s 100 year anniversary.
It was started because someone that I cared about was deployed to Afghanistan. He loved to cook so I told him that I would send him a recipe a day until he was back on American soil. He loved it and sometimes would write about some changes he wanted to make to a recipe. We were going to print it when he got back. I now want to put together a family cookbook because I found how easy it was.
Bill Rice is founder and Co-Publisher of the Great Family Cookbook Project, a website that helps families and individuals collect and share food memories through customized printed cookbooks filled with treasured recipes. Follow us on Facebook and Pinterest!
Family Cookbook Project was highlighted in an article on the publishing platform Fubbing Website entitled 20 Amazing Christmas Gifts To Impress Your Older Parents
According to , the article author, It can be difficult to keep digging up gift ideas each year for your parents. They’ve have had decades of Christmases and nothing seems to surprise them anymore. He found 20 great ideas that will put this tortuous time behind you. There are great gifts to foster healthy living, taking up a hobby and generally enjoying life. With this catalog of ideas, you can just keeping coming back!
Family Cookbook Project software was listed as #4 on the list!
June seems to be one of the busiest months for families. It also is the gateway to summer family reunions, picnics and vacations.
Planning Ahead
If you are using your family cookbooks as part of a celebration, either a family reunion, Mother’s Day gift, Christmas gift, wedding favor, or other specific event, it is important that you plan ahead and give yourself plenty of time to have your cookbooks printed and shipped for the event.
Family Cookbook Project uses the latest in high speed digital printing to produce your family heirlooms. Generally it takes 2-3 weeks to get the files ready for the presses, print, bind and package to ship directly to you. However, during our busiest seasons – right before Mother’s Day and Christmas – it can take much longer.
Another thing to consider is shipping. We use UPS and USPS to ship our family cookbooks all over the USA and Canada. Shipping can take an additional week to have your cookbooks reach you.
Since personalized family cookbooks can make such great Christmas gifts, editors rush to get their print orders submitted in November in order to receive them in time for Christmas time gift giving. Normally, we have a November 30th deadline for delivery in time for Christmas. Save yourself (and us) the danger of not having your cookbooks ready and submit your holiday cookbook orders in October and beat the November rush.
When setting your deadline for recipe contributions, leave enough time for you to review all of the recipes and finalize formatting before you can submit your order for printing. In just 2-3 weeks, your cookbooks should be in your hands!
Wedding Season!
There is no better way to get wedding guests involved prior to the event than asking them to contribute recipes for a wedding cookbook. Once the recipes are preserved online, they can be shared with other family members by email, individual printed recipes or provide a valuable lasting gift for attendees at the wedding reception.
“I just received our box of ‘Jake and Julia’s Friends and Family Cookbooks’ today! They turned out fabulous! I am so pleased, and so excited to give it to them at their wedding! Thanks so much for the wonderful website! This was just what we wanted, and we received such a great response from our family members who contributed.”
–Rita Flatz, Jake and Julia’s Friends and Family Cookbooks
Here are some comments we have received from customers about Family Cookbook Project that we wanted to share.
“The 5 cookbooks I ordered arrived today!! All I can say is: WOW!!! I’m so impressed how it turned out. My prayer is that my adult daughters will love and treasure it! Thanks again— and thanks for putting up with all my calls and emails! It’s rare to get such gracious, efficient service these days. I commend you and your endeavors. Best wishes for Happy Holidays and a prosperous New Year!!”
–Glenda W., GRANDMA AND ME AND YOU
“Dear Friends. It’s the old guy again. My two daughters and I waited yesterday evening because we knew our first book was out for delivery. It was near 7pm when the UPS truck came. We opened a box to view the books and we were overwhelmed with their beauty. We actually cried to see how great they were. Our own new and very old recipes in a beautiful book. Your software is so nice and you are so great in answering questions that an 86 year old guy like me could use the program. These are going to be our Christmas presents for our family and friends, how great is that? Merry Christmas you you and your families.”
–Lloyd Cyr, The Cyr Family Favorites
“I received my cookbooks several weeks ago. Not only am I extremely pleased with the published book but everyone that I have given one to has been thrilled. The cookbook looks very professional and your software made it very easy to create. Thank you.”
–June Ledet, Favorite Family Recipes of the Ledets and Blocks
“This has been a very good experience for me. My order is a very small, humble one, but please know how very important it is for my family. My mom passed away a few months ago and the 2 year anniversary of my dad’s death is next week. They were married for over 60 years. I feel their absence most acutely. However, my mom was a wonderful cook, and working on this project has really helped me feel closer to her. And my older son is really following in her footsteps. At 26, he is already becoming a very good cook. This cookbook is really for him and me. So, although the project is a small one for you, it is a very big one for us. It has already made a profound impact on my life, one that I know will only be increased as he and I begin using the cookbook to make my mom’s long lost recipes. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
–Barbara Pauly, In the Kitchen with Nana
Here are some comments from Family Cookbook Project editors who have received their finished cookbooks:
“I received my cookbooks several weeks ago. Not only am I extremely pleased with the published book but everyone that I have given one to has been thrilled. The cookbook looks very professional and your software made it very easy to create. Thank you.”
–June Ledet, Favorite Family Recipes of the Ledets and Blocks
“This has been a very good experience for me. My order is a very small, humble one, but please know how very important it is for my family. My mom passed away a few months ago and the 2 year anniversary of my dad’s death is next week. They were married for over 60 years. I feel their absence most acutely. However, my mom was a wonderful cook, and working on this project has really helped me feel closer to her. And my older son is really following in her footsteps. At 26, he is already becoming a very good cook. This cookbook is really for him and me. So, although the project is a small one for you, it is a very big one for us. It has already made a profound impact on my life, one that I know will only be increased as he and I begin using the cookbook to make my mom’s long lost recipes. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
–Barbara Pauly, In the Kitchen with Nana
Bill Rice is the Co-Publisher at Family Cookbook Project which helps individuals and fundraising groups create cherished personalized cookbooks using the power of the Internet. Follow us on Facebook and Pinterest.
 |
| Chip Lowell and Bill Rice at a beach picnic on Cape Cod |
Family Cookbook Project was began 14 years ago and was developed by two friends who both love cooking and food. Bill Rice is the father of four and has worked on his family’s genealogy for more than two decades. Over a wonderful summertime family meal on Cape Cod, Bill and some of his family decided to create a family cookbook. Bill turned to his long time friend and programming expert Chip Lowell to develop a simple website to facilitate the project. The site was such a hit with Bill’s family, the two decided to offer it access to other families looking for an opportunity to create a lasting family heirloom.
Both Bill and Chip brought a strong understanding of web development, marketing and the need for top notch customer service to help the development of Family Cookbook Project.
Bill Rice is an entrepreneur and the President of the Web Marketing Association. He brings a strong marketing and usability focus to the development of the website and it’s products. He also has written much of the text for the site and many of the blog posts (including this one!). He is an avid photographer and a senior contributor on the TripAdvisor website.
Chip Lowell is the technology guru behind the programming of Family Cookbook Project. He is also the Director of Sales and Marketing at CodeBlue Technology, LLC, based in Richmond, Virginia. CodeBlue provides IT services throughout Richmond and central Virginia. Chip is also a grill master and loves to spend his free time (if he had any) in his back yard with his wife Sally trying new recipes on his Big Green Egg grill.
In 14 years, we have had more than 60,000 cookbook editors use our system to collect and create online cookbooks for their family, friends, church, school, group or as a fundraiser. More than 227,600 contributors have submitted over 1.6 million recipes so far and hundreds of new recipes are added every day.
So when you wonder why all of our customer service is usually done via email, it’s because we both have day jobs. However, Family Cookbook Project is a passion of ours. We love to be able to help promote the concept of personalized cookbooks for families and fundraising efforts.