We have been promising ourselves for months - ok, years - that we were going to make a time capsule for Kieran. On his first birthday, we solicited letters from friends and family; we got two. Tom and I were also supposed to write letters to Kieran - I think we both got so far as to write:
"Dear Kieran,"
in a Word doc, and then saved them to our respective desktops. I've tried many times to write it, but in the first year I was still too hormonal, and in the second year I've forgotten all of the things I wanted to say in the first year.
It's a quandry.
We also wanted to put in little bits of memorabilia from the year he was born (2007), some pictures and memories, a bottle of something appropriate to open on his 21st birthday . . .
I decided maybe if I put the idea out publicly, I would not only get some great ideas to include in both the letter (what do you tell your child 20 years in the future?) and for objects/pictures/memorabilia to include.
Also, maybe I will get some people who want to make their own time capsules with me. Anyone want to join in the fun? I plan on posting about our finished time capsule two weeks from today.
If you have older kids (even toddlers and preschoolers), it would be a fun project to do together!
So . . . who's in?
Have you ever made a time capsule for yourself or your child?
What did you include?
Where did you stash it?
When will you open it?
Photo credit: iotdfi
What a great idea! I was trying to make a personal password protected blog that our daughter can go to, if and when she can't came to us. It's hard trying to figure out what one might go threw, the good, bad and ugly! I have a few entries so far, but I am blocked as to what to write her on several other issues.
ReplyDeleteInteresting! What kind of things are you planning on writing?
ReplyDeleteI am fairly certain that Darin and I did not get you our letters. We had good intentions, though. I will remedy that soon.
ReplyDeleteAs far as things to put in, I think you basically can't go wrong. If Mom and Dad had done that for us, I bet we would have been tickled to discover news stories, locks of hair, favorite books, pictures... basically anything related to our younger selves. Some (hopefully) original ideas:
*Instead of an alcoholic beverage to drink on his 21st, it could be a set of glasses (3, perhaps, one for him, one each for the parental units). This could also help determine the age he would open the capsule.
*Maybe, instead of soliciting only letters, ask people to 'read the future.' You could ask them to make guesses as to Kieran's future and explain why they guess those things. For instance, "Kieran is going to be a dog person, because Jasper traumatized him in the mean kitty house." Those would be funny for him to read (in addition to the lovey letters he'll be opening).
*You could interview and record Kieran and ask him things like who he'll be married to or where he'll live. Silly stuff like that, which will be funny to watch on tape in 19 years.
*Make a fact sheet from his birth year (minimum wage, Superbowl winner, etc.)
That was long and rambling. I apologize :)
I love the idea of recording him. I was thinking about getting recordings of other people, but your idea is cuter!
ReplyDeleteI love these ideas, I am going to make one for my boys 4th birthday (I think it's awesome)!
ReplyDeleteA first birthday for a friends' twins I went to she had all the guests write them 'each' a note on little pieces of cardboard she cut up.
I meant to do for their 2nd but forgot.
I would/will give it to them to open it on their 21st , not sure where to put it ...would be tempting to add things to it I am sure each year.
Trish - I think I might have the same temptation. But really, as long as the kids don't see it, would it matter that much? ;)
ReplyDeleteI think if you girls got all the stuff together that I had saved for you over the years you would each have a HUGE time capsule!! lol
ReplyDeleteI know that I already made a contribution to the time capsule...and I THINK I wrote a letter..but can I write another letter??? There is so much more I would like to say now that I have known and loved Kieran for 2 years plus!!!