New Year's Tradition: Memory Jar

New Year’s is such a fun holiday. There’s no stressing to find the perfect gift or running around begging for candy. The sole purpose of the day is to reminisce the memories of the year we just lived (both good and…not as good) and to celebrate the promise of a brand new year. And let’s be honest. You sit around eating way too much food, you hang out with loved ones, and you get to watch fireworks on tv. Love it.

While I’m not so good at resolutions, here is a New Year’s tradition you’ll be sure to love.

New Year’s Tradition: Memory Jar

At the beginning of last year, I put a jar on top of the fridge. It’s not decorated or romantic. It’s not frilly or charming in any way. Though it could be. I’m just not the “crafty” type. I’m more “artistic” – aka sloppy. 😉

Throughout the year, anytime someone said or did something funny or noteworthy, I scribbled it on a slip of paper and dropped it in the jar. Easy!

On New Year’s Eve, we’ll pull down the jar and laugh or cry together as we read the things we wrote.

Here are a few examples of things I documented. For some reason, they all come from my 4 year old son, Seth.

 

See? Weren’t those fun to read? And they’re not even your kids! Just imagine what it would be like sitting around, reading a stack of these. I can hardly wait until December 31st! As I briefly went through our slips (I don’t want to ruin all the fun by reading them early!), I also documented things like when my daughter, who is two, first slept in her big girl bed or was able to put on her own shirt. So, it doesn’t have to just be funny things people have said.

A few tips to make this successful:

Put the jar somewhere you’ll see it. Keep the jar out of reach of little ones, but in a place that you’ll see and remember it. The top of the fridge worked great for us. Maybe you have a shelf somewhere that would work better?
Cut out slips of paper and put them next to the jar. If I didn’t have paper already pre-cut, there’s no way I’d take the time to write down a memory and then cut it out and put it in the jar. Take five minutes and cut a few sheets of paper into smaller slips. Use different colors.
Keep a pen in/near the jar. There were several times that I had to jot down the memory as we were running out the door. It wouldn’t have happened if I didn’t have paper precut or a pen close by.
Use what you have. A jar, cup, basket, shoe box, bowl, etc. Decorate it as much or as little as you want. Did you see my fancy jar? There is not a single piece of decoration on it.
Write the date and who said it or who did it. This seems like an obvious one, but it’s worth reminding. It won’t be nearly as funny if you pull out a slip of paper and you don’t know who said it.

Why am I telling you this now? There are still almost two full months of the year left! That’s PLENTY of time to make some memories! Write them down.

Are you a small family? Or a family of one? Write down what your friends say or do, and on New Year’s, invite them over to part-ay while you read your memories together.

What is your favorite New Year’s Tradition?