Memory making is one of the most meaningful and satisfying family activities there is. However, memories of the important events, stages, and times in life don’t only need to be stored in your mind. In fact, by using the savvy ways to record, store, and display family memories, you will find below, you will have access to the best of times, whenever you want.
Smash books
Scrapbooks are a very popular and inexpensive way of recording family memories. However, if you have ever tried to be one, you will know the dread and procrastination that comes with it! You can spend so much time worrying about whether you have the perfect supplies, the ideal pictures, and the perfect paper ephemera that you don’t begin the task at all.
That is why instead, smash books are a much better idea. The concept here is that a smash book looks like a scrapbook, but with one significant difference – no perfection allowed! This means that you get to pop in pictures and other items you have saved on any page and in any order. Then you just take the pen that comes along with the books and label it with whatever information you like- usually, the dates, what happened, and why it was important.
The books you can buy to do this activity are hardbacks so they will stand the test of time and are very hard-wearing. However, the real win here is that you are much more likely to keep it up because you are under less pressure with a smash book. Something that means you will have a book full of beautiful memories at the end.
Videos
Another smart option for family memory keeping is to use video. After all, we all have the means to make these in the form of our phones. There has never been a generation with such access to film making and documenting family life on video!
Of course, just as you will only want the best photos for an album, you will also want to make sure that your recordings are the highest quality possible. The good news is that there are several things you can use to ensure this.
The first is a gadget like the DJI Osmo Mobile 4, which is a smart little handheld stabilizer for your phone. A tool that means you can shoot smooth stabilized video worthy of being kept over the long term. Additionally, if you are filming events inside, you may wish to invest in a ring light. The reason for this is that such a light will make sure the camera on your phone picks up every detail and creates high-quality footage that you and your family can review again and again.
Of course, part of successfully using video to capture family memories is getting the way that you store and access them right. To that end, avoid leaving them on your phone, and make sure they are backed up to the Cloud. You may even want to complete projects with them, such as opening an email account for your child and sending a video of their birthday party each year. Then you can give them the password to the account on their 18th birthday and can see all the parties they have ever had!
Mason jars
Pictures and videos are pretty easy memories to collect and store, but you’re probably wondering what to do with physical souvenirs and memorabilia. Happily, there is a strategy for these items as well, and it’s the Mason jar method.
First of all, take a Mason jar, preferably the largest one you can find. Then gather up all the small items and souvenirs you have collected from a single event and place them inside. You can then display this jar for as long as you like, while also keeping things tidy and together. The great thing is that you can empty the pot whenever you want and refill it with other memories instead.
Cushions
Jars are all perfect for small items. However, you can’t keep bulkier textiles like blankets, jumpers, and cardigans in there. Unfortunately, these are often our most treasured family memory items as they not only represent a specific time or person, but they can be very comforting as well.
Happily, there is an easy fix here, and it isn’t filling up all your cupboard space with old items. Instead, the idea is to take the item and make it into a decorative pillow. Something that you can get a tutorial on here. Then you can display those things that have precious family memories and see them every day!