Let's preserve 'em memories

Here are a few D-I-Y ideas that will help you preserve some special moments.

The jar of memories

Ask your child to pick up any old jar and decorate it. Have him jot down little notes of events/milestones/acts/moments he wants to preserve, and drop them into the jar. Any time he needs some motivation, he can open the jar and read those notes. The happy memories will instantly cheer him up. Again, on the last day of the year open the jar and relive those delightful memories! It will make for a great family bonding opportunity.

What your child will need

• Chart paper
  
• Glass paint
  
• A pair of scissors
  

Instructions for your child

• Take any empty pickle or jam jar and soak it in hot water (under adult supervision) to peel off its labels. Keep aside.
  
• On chart paper, draw a design that you like and cut it out to make a stencil.
  
• Place the stencil on the jar. Use glass paint to fill in the the stencil spaces with different colours. Remove the stencil now and let the jar dry.
  
• Write down happy memories on different slips of paper and drop them in the jar. This can be a continuous exercise. You can start doing this on the first of January and keep dropping notes regularly into the jar through the year.
  

The diary of memories

Your child may already be maintaining a diary (I'm hoping she does; if not, let her start right now). Additionally, through the year, ask her to maintain a 'Thank You' diary - a diary where she writes small 'thank you' notes to people who have made her feel happy and special. Just going back and reading through those notes will help her feel good about herself and cherish the people who have helped her through her journey.

What your child will need

• Diary
  
• Chart Paper
  
• Sketch Pens
  

Instructions for your child

• Use chart paper or gift-wrapping paper to cover the diary.
  
• Use sketch pens to decorate the cover as you wish. Don't forget to write down 'My Thank You Diary' on the cover.
  
• Now that you are all set, pick up your favourite pen or pencil and start writing those 'thank you' notes.
  

The video of memories

Your child doesn't have to be a tech-wiz for this one. She just needs to capture pictures with a camera and movie-making software will do the rest of the work. Ask her to click pictures of friends and family, places she visits or anything else that makes her happy. Then, with the help of movie-making software, she can weave it all together into a magical video of happy memories.

What your child will need

• Photographs taken with a digital camera
  
• A laptop/desktop
  
• Movie-making software like 'Windows Live Movie Maker'
  

Instructions for your child

• Install Windows Live Movie Maker onto your computer and import all the pictures into the software. (Get adult help, if required.)
  
• Once imported, the software automatically plays the pictures like a slideshow.
  
• You can add effects and music to make a video of memories; share it with your friends and family.
  

The scrapbook of memories

Remember what famous cricketer Rahul Dravid did earlier this year? He shared online, 'My Mother's Scrapbook', a beautiful compilation of his childhood memories. Scrapbooks are a great way to establish an emotional connect. If your little one is extra-creative, why not let his creativity bring new life to his memories through a scrapbook? It will keep him occupied and also help him experience all the beautiful memories. He can flip through his scrapbook whenever he feels a little bogged down; it is sure to cheer him up.

What your child will need

• Several sheets of A4-size paper of different colours
  
• Sketch pens
  
• Photographs
  
• Glue
  

Instructions for your child

• Hard-bind or spiral-bind some colourful sheets of A4 size paper.
  
• Paste photographs, notes, drawings or anything that you cherish onto those sheets.
  
• Draw and decorate each page as you wish, and your very own scrapbook of memories is ready to be showcased.