Reply by Edziu

I’m just spitballing ideas here- but have you considered using a piece of wood with significance to your niece? If it’s available: maybe something made from her old swingset….something made from an old piece of furniture…a piece of wood from the house she grew up in…..something along those lines.

Or if you have a local architectural salvage, consider making something using some old framing lumber from a demolished house in your town.

just my 2 cents.