DIY Family Memory Packet.......tutorial

As new year rings in, it's always fun to capture a bit of the excitement of the new and reminisce a bit about the old.

We crafted up a fun way to get the whole family involved together in an easy project -

The Family Memory Packet.

Whether you have a gaggle of kids, no kids, grandkids, or it's just you - this project is adaptable for all! It's a great way to preserve a bit of the present, like a time capsule, and open it again around the same time next year!

• Materials:

Large envelope (we used a 9x12)

magazines/newspapers

glue stick

scissors

paper

printer

pens/pencils/crayons

Getting started!

Before you start the project print off the "memory sheets" to be filled in by you and/or other family members.

We used 3 sheets per person:

• 1st sheet - Include a space for the

DATE:

NAME:

AGE:

WEIGHT:

HEIGHT:

If possible, snap a photo of each person that day and print off on the sheet. OR print off a recent photo and let each person cut out their picture and glue it to the sheet.

On this sheet you will also have each person trace their hand (giving assistance to younger ones). It will be fun to see how much your kids or grandkids hands have grown when the packet gets opened up NEXT year!

• 2nd sheet - Titled 2009 (past year)

Include a few questions like:

Favorite thing(s) I did this year:

Favorite place(s) I went:

What I will remember most:

Don't include too many question or your kids are likely to feel like they are doing school work instead of something fun. For those that are too small to write, simply ask them the questions and try to write down their responses word for word. They might be really funny to look back on what they said next year or the year after. It's also great to allow those just learning to read/write to let them fill in as much of their sheets as possible. They will be able to see how much their skills have improved in a year when it is reopened.

• 3rd sheet - titled 2010 (new year)

Include a few questions like:

Something I would like to do this year is:

Somewhere I would like to go is:

Something I would like to learn about is:

This sheet isn't really "goal setting" but simply stating some "wishes". It might give you some insight into what they are hoping and help you as a parent/grandparent to meet their needs/interests this coming year.

**STAPLE the 3 sheets together**

Gather the other members around the table and explain the project. Have each person fill out their sheets. Use the magazines/newspaper to create a cover for your envelope where all the information sheets will be stored for the year. (We used the title - 2009 Memory Packet) You can create your own title including the family name. Decorate it with pictures, cut-outs, color it, doodle on it, etc. The creativity is up to everyone involved but make sure this is part of the fun of the project as well! Once the cover is created and dried, slip all the papers inside and close it up.

Now where to file it away where it won't be forgotten about next year? My best suggestion is to put it into one of the Christmas boxes, somewhere easily seen when opened. When you pull out the Christmas decor next winter season, it can easily be tacked onto the family bulletin board for a few weeks until the New Year's Holiday rolls around again. Then of course you can open up the packet, reminisce, giggle, and create a NEW memory packet for the next year, thus creating a fun family tradition too! Enjoy!