Once again this year I’m asked by relatives to give a list of things that the kids want for Christmas this year. This year, instead of offering a simple list of toys, gadgets and the latest fads, I’ve decided to make a list of memory makers – things that etch experiences on the lives of my family….. Things that don’t break quite so easily, or cost a fortune, or can be stolen easily. This year I’m making a list of what I call “memory makers.”
- Butterfly kits – I’ve done these with my kids in the past and we never tire of releasing the butterflies. We order new larvae every year and anxiously await their arrival in the mail. It’s educational, it’s fun, and it’s a memory and an experience as the butterflies sit on our fingers and then eventually fly away (yes they will sit on your finger). We watch life happen before our eyes. Young or old, watching the transformation of nature is a beautiful experience.
- Gingerbread House Kit – I just wrote an article here about leaving the dishes in the sink, the boxes unpacked and the laundry unfolded to stop and make memories with my daughter as we built this Gingerbread House together. We took turns holding up the sides while the icing set and we laughed as we ate some of the candy while decorating the house.
- Memberships – Over the years we’ve received memberships to the Baltimore Aquarium, the Franklin Institute (science center in Philly, PA) and the Maryland Science Center. Memberships last the entire year and create fun, lasting memories with my family. We were all excited with each visit and frequently we packed a picnic basket to stop on the way home (remember I’m frugal). Our family enjoyed the exhibits and experiences together – I like that!
- Fire Pit – You don’t need to have a fire pit built -you can simply buy one. These last for years and families gather ’round them through all the seasons roasting s’mores in the summer, star gazing in the fall, and warming during a snow fall in the winter. This is by far the best outdoor memory maker at my house. We even have a New Years tradition where we all write a letter of things we need to get rid of and be done with and we burn it on New Years Day to make way for a new year. This helps us each to remember that bring in the new also means we need to think about and let go of many things we “carried” through the year. Even my daughter as young as 2.5 yrs old would get in on this event drawing an angry face on a piece of paper and burning it in the fire pit. Afterwards we go around the fire pit in a circule and share 3 things that changed us over the past year. These are things that happened (good or bad) in our lives that forever changed how we think or who we are or the course of our lives. This tradition brings us so close every year!
- Tent
– Family camping is so much fun and such a great family memory maker. I read a survey once about memories from childhood and I wasn’t at all surprised to hear that 78% of the memories recalled took place outside! Camping allows a family to get back to family time around the campfire, swimming at the beach or hiking in the mountains. These are the times that carry us spiritually and help us to remember why we work, live and become parents. (Oh and if you clicked on the link and saw our pop up camper…. Yes parents in the camper, teen boys in the tent! Lol)
Who am I? Just a mom, a memory maker and a frugal sister!
Great article!