Creating A Memory Book
For Yourself Or Others

by: Julie McClellan

What's a really fun way to go back in time? Looking at a well put-together memory book.

In my opinion, creating a memory book is one of the best and most valuable things that you will ever do. You can make a memory book for your children, yourself, as a gift for others – there are so many possibilities. Anybody who receives one will consider it a priceless gift.

How do you create one? All you need is a little creativity, some cherished photographs and keepsakes, and a lot of love. Some people like to use ‘Creative Memories’ for their scrapbooking.

While 'Creative Memories’ is an excellent and popular choice for creating a memory book, it can get a bit expensive to buy their products.

Instead, once you have the overall concept and ideas for what you’d like to achieve, visit your local arts and crafts stores. You can buy paper in bulk, supplies and anything else that you may need. You'll more than likely save yourself some money in the long run.

You can create a memory book from a notebook or a photo album. It can be anything that you want it to be - there are no rules. You can add photographs and write personal information inside of it as well.

A friend of mine started one for her baby before he was born. She wrote letters to him once a month, documenting his growth and accomplishments.

She put photos of him and even photos of his favorite clothing, toys, pets, etc. She put a few swatches of the wallpaper border from his nursery inside of the memory book.

She put details of his birth, his relatives, the first house that he lived in, popular movies the year he was born, TV shows, etc. Someday, he’ll look through it and know more than he may have ever wanted to know about the year he was born and himself. She even included a family tree in the book as well.

A memory book can also contain newspaper articles and headlines of importance. Many Americans probably kept some sort of media reports about September 11th, 2001. That day will be remembered forever.

Just remember that your memory book doesn't have to be perfect. You probably won't be judged on how perfect the photos are cut or how creatively it was designed. What goes inside the book is the most important thing. Photographs and small keepsakes can mean the world to some people.

Documenting milestones and recording important memories for others is priceless. You can even go further than a memory book and create a memory box or trunk for someone. For the people who turn the pages someday or remove the box lid, you just may be creating some smiles, laughter and tears for the recipient.

A memory book is a lot of fun to put together and even more fun to give as a gift. Or you may decide to hang on to the book you've spent so much time and love putting together.

Julie McClellan is married with one young daughter. She is a self-employed contractor and enjoys writing and arts and crafts in her spare time.