Memory Books: A Way To Celebrate Each New Year

Memory books are a way to capture the feeling and times we are living through.  I feel there is nothing more precious and valuable than time spent with loved ones.  Days go by and then the years—it seems each one quicker than the last.

The New Year is a time when we hear about resolutions and are bombarded with commercials on TV for gym memberships, weight loss pills and workout equipment.  We are constantly reminded that we need to lose weight, be more organized, and similar goals.  

And while it is good to set goals and try to be better, sometimes these resolutions can make us see our shortcomings of the past year and focus on what we DIDN’T do.  Memory books are a nice way to just take a moment and appreciate what we DO have, what we DID accomplish, and with whom we spent time this year.

For me the New Year is about reflecting.  I like to look back over the past year and relive all that has happened.  Some years are more eventful than others; some are happier than others.  And some, like this year, have been a roller coaster of highs and lows.  As I flip through the pages of memory books I’ve made, I am filled with love and gratitude for all the wonderful memories I have and for the people who make up those memories.

Sometimes I think my life is just ordinary.  But being reminded of the events of a whole year before my eyes in each book gives me a huge sense of accomplishment.  Like remembering our newlywed days in Virginia hopping a metro to catch up with out-of-town friends in DC for brunch one weekend.  Seeing the memories of our first holiday season as parents with our son, viewing pictures of our cooking in our first apartment, and of the hospital where we both worked (and where our first baby was born), are all special memories.

The year I was married was the first year I made a memory book.  I wanted to document our first year married.  We didn’t live together until we were married—not that we didn’t want to.  It was just our work/school circumstances.  I’m now grateful for that because it made starting our lives together extra special—and gave me the idea to make a book.  And after I made that memory book, I liked having it so much that I decided to do one every year.  My husband has enjoyed seeing them each year too.  I like to pull the books out and reminisce once in a while.  It’s amazing to see how life has changed in just a few years.  And they will be even more valuable as the years go on.

I want to cherish all these years.  And if I’m lucky enough to live as old as my grandparents did, then I’ll have plenty of good reading material to keep me busy as an old lady.  And not only do I enjoy looking back, I want to have these for my kids to read.  I loved looking at my parents’ and grandparents’ photo albums.  As I got older I became interested in their lives before I was born.

One thing I’ve done in several books is to have a “tidbits” section in the back with random facts.  I documented things like our address at the time (since we’ve moved several times in last few years), and favorite restaurants. I also include shows we’ve watched—and our routines (work, kids etc) from that year.  These things sound so basic, but I find it interesting to compare from year to year.

It is easy to put the task of making these books off because I feel like I’ll remember everything, or  because ordinary events don’t seem that significant to document at the time.  It can be a chore to sit down and write the memories, buy the book and supplies, or scroll through your phone to pick out the pictures to use.

It’s gotten harder for me to get them done now that we have kids that take up most of my time, and our schedules are so much busier.  But in reality this is really a project that could be done in one afternoon once the pictures are printed out.   And despite the obstacles I encounter making them, I still do this project because as I’ve seen from looking back that it’s SO WORTH IT.

I’m not a scrapbooker.  I haven’t taken the classes or anything like that.  I go into craft stores and love the displays but get overwhelmed not knowing where to begin.  I either feel like buying no stickers or one of everything because there are so many from which to choose.  You don’t have to be artistic to make a memory book.  The real art is the memory being captured by words and through pictures. Maybe you don’t want to write.  You can just print off a few pics from each month that “capture” that time for you.  Or maybe you don’t want to do pictures.  Try writing down your top 3 or 5 or 10 moments from each month.   At the very least you’ll end up with a list of almost 40 memories from the year!

I’m going to try and combine those two concepts this year to simplify my process of making these memory books.  If I can make the process easier, then it won’t be such a daunting task.

So HERE’S THE PLAN: 10 moments and 3 highlight pics from each month, all combined to make my memory book.  This will be a ‘doable’ task that will still highlight the year.  If I feel like adding more I will, and if not then I’ll have captured a good bit.  And hey, it’s better than nothing, right?

Each year I’ve made a book, they’ve been slightly different depending on the year.  Some are larger books, some are smaller books, some have more words/less pictures, and some contain more pictures and fewer words.  I’m going to try my new plan this year and see how it goes.  I can always adjust.  I’ve already gone to the craft store and bought a small album (I’m going smaller this year) and have started my “catch-up” plan on the yearly memory book since I’m a year behind.  I know my future self will thank me.

There’s a framed print of a blessing that we were given as a wedding present.  I currently have it hanging on our bedroom wall.  It travels with us to each home we have and I always display it  where we can see it daily.  One year it was hanging over the toilet in our bathroom—I mean, there’s no missing seeing that (and it went with the decor).  But in all seriousness, there is a line from the prayer that sticks out to me that states “. . . as together we unfold the story of our lives.”

I know that each year is not promised and how precious life—and our life together—is.  I am so very grateful for the family I have.  And no matter how long or short our story may be, I look at these memory books as a way to “watch” our story unfold and evolve.   And to me there’s nothing more beautiful.

I encourage you to make a memory book for yourself and your family, whether that family is just you, you and a spouse, or whether it includes any children or fur babies.  I hope you get to look back and appreciate how YOUR beautiful and unique story unfolds, too.

And if you need some more inspiration to help you get started, check out this link here for some great  Pinterest ideas.

HAPPY NEW YEAR FRIENDS!!