Imagine the look on a teen’s face when you present to them a collection of things that were theirs when they were a baby. Many new parents start a Baby Book for their child, and those are nice, but why not add to the collection of memories by making a time capsule for your baby. You can make the time capsule as small or as large as you want, and begin tossing in memory after memory, simply by storing various keepsakes in your chosen capsule.
The capsule itself can be anything from a pickle jar to a rubberized, lidded storage container. You can begin adding memories from pregnancy through the first few months of the child’s life. Some ideas of things to add to the time capsule include photos of pregnant Mom, baby bracelets, booties, sock caps, first photos, Dad holding baby, birth announcement, newspaper from the day the baby was born, and similar items. The possibilities are endless.
If you own your home, you can actually bury the capsule, but instead, the capsule can be placed in the attic, basement or even a storage building. You’ll decide when to present the capsule to the grown child. The child’s eighteenth or twenty-first birthday, or the child’s wedding day, are good examples of excellent times to present the treasure chest.
You can include all sorts of special items, like letters from the other siblings, describing how they felt when they found out they were going to get a new brother or sister. Or, young kids can draw pictures of what they think the new baby will look like. These will be extra special many years from now.
If you want, and you have room, place popular items in the time capsule, like the most popular book during the month the child was born, a popular magazine, the most sought-after child’s game, a popular card or board game, and other things that will be classics by the time the capsule is opened.
Keep in mind that documents and other papers will yellow over the years, so take precautions to keep them in acid-free envelopes. Placing them between two objects will likely cause them to stick to one or both objects after so many years.
The time capsules are fun and easy to make. Keep the container nearby and toss things in when you think of it. The baby’s room is a great place to store the container temporarily and makes it accessible when you think of an item you want to tuck inside.
After the baby is born you’ll find all sorts of items that belong in the capsule, including clothing, toys, blankets, sleepers, baby jewelry, photos, letters, cards, invitations, balloons, novelties from a party or shower, videotape recordings, and much more.
Make a time capsule for each of your children, as they are born, and start a family tradition. They, in turn, can create a trove of memories and treasures as a surprise for their own children one day.
Reference:
- Purchase rubberized containers here: www.walmart.com
