Make A Memory Jar

Create a Memory Jar to capture special moments from the year. It can be given as a gift or a fun way to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

When the New Year rolls around, I like to surround myself with items that represent the memories we made together from years gone by like this sentimental butterfly handprint craft, this personalized cozy blanket, or this Handprint Vase craft.

The common thread all of those ideas have is that they are sentimental. For me, it’s all about making memories together. Time passes so fast that I want to make every celebration count. Making a memory jar is a great way to celebrate the New Year with a Memory Jar full of last year’s fun moments. This is such a fun idea and a great tradition.

Memory Jars are the perfect gift for a loved one or a fun way to bring in the New Year with friends and family. They are easy to make and full of precious memories.

Supplies You’ll Need for Your Memory Jar

• Jar – like a Mason Jar or other clear container.
• Tray, container, or second jar for holding paper
• Cardstock Paper—Get something that matches your decor so you can enjoy it all year long. Scrapbook paper is sturdy and comes in all styles.
• A Sharpie, Pen, Paint Pen, or Gel Pen

Optional:

Label Sticker and Marker

How to Make a Memory Jar

• Cut strips of beautiful paper (about an inch wide by 5 inches long)

• Place your cut scrapbook paper strips and pen in a second jar, tray, or container next to the memory jar.

• Add a pen or marker along with the strips of paper
• Label the memory jar with the year.

• Keep both jars in a convenient place, ready for all family members to document memories at any time.

Writing on Slips of Paper

Grab a strip of paper from the paper jar, and write a fun memory down whenever you think of one.
If you can remember the date, write it down and sign the paper so we know whose memory it is.
Then, fold the memory strip in half and place it in the labeled memory Jar.
Remember to remind grandparents, friends, and relatives to write something down for the memory jar as they visit you. You’ll want those memories documented, too.

Next year, take out the memory jar on New Year’s and sit around reading off memories, one by one. You’ll be surprised at what you forgot, but the memory strips help jog those fun memories.

Ideas for Your Memory Jar

Give it Away: Make it a Sentimental Gift for Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, or Loved ones. At one time, I made a memory jar for my mom’s birthday. I included fun things we did together as a family that included her. My kids gave it to her as a gift from them to Grandma. It was a huge hit and would also be for your loved one.

Alternative to a scrapbook: It’s hard to remember every detail of those special moments at the end of the year. Here is an idea to help you document all those special moments without taking out the scrapbook material and creating a whole page. I don’t have time for that at this point in my life.  But if I want to get out my scrapbook material later, with these reminder strips of paper, it will be easy to create scrapbooks in the future and remember all the essential details. If I never get around to making scrapbooks for all of my kids, I can take down a jar from my shelf with the year labeled on the front and dive into the memories.

New Year’s Eve Activity: What a great way for you and your family to document ALL of the memorable moments from the year. It will only take seconds of your time. And it’s great to do each New Year, as you pass the memory jar around and read from it.

More Ideas You’ll Love

~Melissa
KidFriendlyThingsToDo.Com