Do you want to start a new tradition for yourself, your family, or your furbabies? Consider creating a memory box. Living in a digital age, small moments often get lost in the technological universe. Keeping a record of memorable days does not require attending large social affairs or ultimate road trips. Even though, both would be an excellent addition. Taking time to record simple, daily events may be the most memorable moments of the year.
The Memory Box
The memory box can be an old shoe box, a popcorn tin from the holidays, or a plastic basket from your local dollar store. You just need to create a space to store your memories. Get creative, decorate the box. If you have young children, consider making the box an afternoon project.
What to Put in the Memory Box?
Keep in mind, there is not a specific guideline on what to put in your memory box. Creating a tangible storage space away from your digital devices is one reason for creating a memory box. Having fun is another reason.
1. Every Day Moments
Every day should be a celebration. Your child takes his or her first steps. Your son finally mastered Algebra. Your daughter got the lead in the school play. Or you received recognition for a project at work. Small moments go by quickly. Use index cards, notecards or scraps of paper to write about the daily event. Encourage children to participate. Even if they just draw small pictures, the notecard can be part of the box.
2. Ask Questions
Asking questions is another way to encourage your children to participate. At the same times, you are opening lines of communication. Questions to ask may include:
- What was your favorite part of school today?
- What do you want to do when you grow up?
- What did you eat at lunch?
- Did anything funny happen in school or practice?
Just keep an open mind, when you find out your son laughed and milk came out of his nose. And, he instantly became a lunchtime sensation.
3. Postcards
Going on day trips, field trips, family vacations or even a trip to your local grocery store, you will see postcards for sale. Postcards are an inexpensive resource for making memories. Picking up a few postcards or allowing your child select a favorite, allows you to record your visit with a picture. Ask your child to tell you the favorite part of the trip. Jotting down a couple lines on the back of postcard provides an instant keepsake.
4. Other Memorabilia
When you begin adding items to your memory box, you will soon learn in the world of technological devices, a paper trail still exists.
- Movie tickets stubs
- Concert tickets
- Program brochures
- Schedule of events guides
- Menus
- Fortune cookie inserts
The list is endless. By keeping the small items, you can jot notes in the margins. Or add a notecard later describing the experience.
What Next?
What do you do when the year comes to a close? Open the box, review your memories, place them in a scrapbook, or create time capsules to view down the road. The small effort you make to today to add little notes will leave a larger impact later when you read the memories.
