Photo & Ideas from Martha Stewart
With summer vacation season beginning, now is a great time to gather ideas for keepsakes. I’ve shared this idea before, but it bears repeating—especially if you want to prepare before trips start. Encourage kids or grandkids to collect small mementos all summer so they’ll have what they need to assemble a jar or shadow box when you get home.
These projects are simple, meaningful, and a lovely way to remember trips and everyday adventures. Happy travels!
My son loves collecting little treasures. We often take slow “treasure-hunt” walks around the neighborhood, hand in hand, looking for pine cones, pretty rocks, leaves, and other small finds. He also enjoys picking up keepsakes on our beach trips.
All too often those small items end up in a drawer or get misplaced in the rush of everyday life. We sometimes display shells and other favorites in apothecary jars by the entry or in a porch lantern, but I like the idea of letting him fill his own jar as a creative, personal project.
Why let those little moments be forgotten so quickly?
I discovered the idea of vacation keepsake jars on Martha Stewart’s site and thought they were a delightful way to capture summer memories. If a jar’s mouth is narrow, bendable wire can help guide trinkets inside; you can even use wire to arrange items so they stand upright or appear to “float” within the jar.
Keepsake jars also make thoughtful, personalized gifts for many occasions:
- An anniversary — fill a jar with mementos from dating or the wedding.
- A baby’s first year — include first booties, hospital bracelets, baby snaps, hair clips, and a pacifier.
- A year-in-review — tiny objects that represent important moments from the past year.
- A gift for grandparents or other loved ones — preserve small shared memories.
- A teacher’s gift — collect class notes, small drawings, or tokens of appreciation.
Another variation is creating shadow boxes with summer keepsakes; both jars and shadow boxes let you arrange items in an attractive, meaningful display.
Do you have any fun vacation plans this summer?
Inspiration: Martha Stewart