Do you have a terrible memory for dates like me? (sometimes I even forget how old I am!) And yet a craving to retain those sweet memories from your children’s first Christmases?
Well – today I’m going to show you a really special way that you can start keeping track of those memories for you and for your children!
The Christmas Ornament Memory Book is a simple tradition that you can start right away (with my free printables!) and gradually add to as the years pass. Trust me…you’re going to love this!
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What is a Christmas Ornament Memory Book?
The basic idea of the Ornament Book is to record details of special ornaments that your child or children receive or make each Christmas.
When I was growing up, one of my favourite crafty traditions with my Mom was to make a new ornament each year that we would give to all our cousins and extended family.
When Onetime was born, I wanted to continue this tradition.
The first year we made the classic Salt Dough Santa hand ornaments for our family. His second Christmas, I used his handprints to make lovely Fingerprint Snowmen. Last year – we made a pipecleaner “Stickman” and Onetime finally made his first ornaments all by himself – the Pine Sprig Globes you see in the picture at the top.
Each one of these ornaments brings back special memories that warm my heart. And I treasure those ornaments above any of my other holiday decorations.
You probably have ornaments like that too that belong to your kids – or that you made with them – or that they were given.
So Why Make a Book If I’ve Got the Ornament?
Reason #1: As I said earlier, I have a terrible memory!
I realized last Christmas, that although I remembered how tiny my son’s hands were when we made the fingerprint snowman ornament – and how I painted the little scarves and hats on while he was napping beside me – I couldn’t remember the year – and had to do a little brain searching to figure it out.
OWWW! (that’s my brain hurting as I’m trying to think back and recall dates and years…)
I decided then and there that I better start documenting some of these memories (and dates) before my brain turns to mush and I can’t tell Onetime about how special these ornaments are!
Reason #2: I also realized last Christmas that at some point, Onetime was going to grow up and take these precious ornaments with him!
Although I’ve got some duplicates for myself – there are ones that will eventually be gone with him – and I want to keep the memories for me! And so – the memory book idea emerged!
How to Make the Ornament Memory Book
Step 1: Capture the Memory with PHOTOS
Take some photos of all the special ornaments your child/children already have.
I placed them on the tree last year and took shots that way – but you could also take a photo of your kids holding their ornament.
Print them as 4 x 6 prints.
Step 2: Find Your Memory Book
I used a simple photo book with 4 x 6 slots for pictures like this one at Amazon: Pioneer 100 Pocket Fabric Frame Cover Photo Album, Herbal Green
Step 3: Print Off and Fill Out Memory Cards
I created a set of 16 – 4 x 6 printable colour cards for you to print off and place beside each ornament photo in your memory book.
Each card has space for a date, the ornament name, and details you want to record about who the ornament came from, how it was made, or what it reminds you of!
To get a basic set of 4 cards, you can click this link and download to your computer.
If you would like my complete set of 16 cards with 8 horizontal and 8 vertical cards – you will need to be an e-mail subscriber.
Please spread the news and PIN this! Pretty please!
I hope you found what you were looking for and more!
This post is a part of a very special blogging series called the 12 Days of Christmas! Be sure to click on the picture below to take you to some other wonderful posts full of fantastic ways to celebrate Christmas with your family!
If you’re looking for other Christmas kids’ crafts and activities, be sure to check out my Pinterest board:
Follow One Time Through’s board Christmas with Kids on Pinterest.
Wishing you a memorable Christmas this year!
Oh I absolutely ADORE this idea! It is so clever. We are also so sentimentally attached to our tree decorations – and everyone has a story – what a wonderful way to record that!!!
So true Julie. Opening up the ornaments has to be one of my favourite parts of Christmas every year. Thanks so much for dropping by!
What a wonderful idea! This way even if the ornaments are damaged you still have a book to remember them with. Love it!
Yes Emma – I hadn’t thought of that. Ugh…I wrap them all so carefully, but even just the other day – one of my favourites got smashed – but yes – I have the picture! Thanks so much for dropping by!
Oh, I love, Love, LOVE this idea! I think I’m going to have to go back and catalog the ones we already have. We have a few ornaments from my own childhood, and I enjoy seeing them every year. I’d love to have a book like this to go with the ones I’ll be passing along to my 3 kids.
Thanks Heather – and yes – I’m the same way when I look at my ornaments from childhood. I would love to receive a memory book from my mom – just a little part of family history to keep! Thanks for dropping by!
Too cute! What a fabulous idea! I usually write where I got the ornament on the box, but not everything has a box right? For sure pinning and remembering this one!
Also participating in the 12 Days of Christmas.