It is time to commit to this years Family History Writing Challenge by The Armchair Genealogist. I’m in, I signed up yesterday. I don’t know what/who I’m going to write about but I know that I want to take the challenge and see what I can do in 28 days. I’m going for the 250 words per day challenge but if your up to it you can choose 500 or 1,000 words per day. This will be an interesting experience for me. I’ve never done a writing challenge before. Anyone else up for the challenge? Sign up here.
Tag Archives: family history
50 Jar Gifts: idea #10 “Grandparents” Story Prompts
Grandparents Story Prompts
This is the second in a series of story prompt jar gifts with questions geared for grandparents. At first I called it Old Age prompts but decided that might be offensive to some of the grandparents on my gift list. The idea is a set of questions in a jar that you can pull out to help a grandparent to remember and record some of the events from their lives. I printed it on chipboard but they could be printed on cardstock. There is a different color on each end of the question so that once you have answered it you can turn it over in the jar and keep track of which questions you haven’t answered yet. The questions are intended you spark your memory and lead you to other thoughts and memories. Let your them flow and see where they take you.
Grandparents Story Prompts back side
The first sheet in the file is the back of the story prompt. This sheet is optional but it helps in keeping track of which set of story prompts the question comes from and adds more color to the jar. I start by printing six copies of the first page (full bleed if your printer has that option) and then feed these pages back into the printer to print the question pages. (You should refer to your printer manual to know the right way to feed these into your printer.)
Grandparents Story Prompts
The next six sheets are the questions. After printing these pages need to be cut apart by cutting the sheet in half (the long way) at 5.5″ and then every 1 1/16″ to finish cutting the questions apart. I also like to use a corner rounder on each question but that is optional. But it looks nice and will help the questions not get so dog-eared with use.
Grandparents Story Prompts
Grandparents Story Prompts
Grandparents Story Prompts
Grandparents Story Prompts
Grandparents Story Prompts
The last page has an insert for the canning jar lid (wide mouth quart or pint and a half work great) and a set of tags to tie on to the jar with simple instructions. There is a journal cover so that you can also give them a place to record the memories for sharing and future reference. Cut another piece of chipboard or heavy cardstock for the back along with some blank or lined paper for the inside. Then bind them together by your chosen method. I’m lucky enough to have a wire binding machine but you can get the journal bound at your local copy center. This sheet isn’t strictly necessary but it helps pull the gift together into a nice package.
Grandparents Story Prompts Journal cover and Jar labels
I am putting the jar and journal in a gift bag along with some treats to munch on while answering the questions to help get them started on recording their memories.
Feel free to use these files for personal use and gifts. You can download pdfs here.
Questions come from those at StoryCorps.org.
Related articles
- 50 Jar Gifts: idea #8 “Remembering” Story Prompts (tellingfamilytales.com)
50 Jar Gifts: idea #9 – Idea Jars
image from ShabbyBeachNest.com
Gather together ideas for activities in a jar. They can be geared to kids during the summer or activities for families to do together or even simple ideas for date night or one on one time with a child. This is also a great way to get chores done. ShabbyBeachNest even has a tutorial and printables or her “I’m Bored” Jar here.
Pick activities that remind you of your childhood or a family story and you have a great way to share story or memory in the process.
I’m Bored Jar from Audrey of “Miss Audrey Sue” via ShabbyBeachNest.com
Date Night ideas via pinterestingpix
Job Jar from MarthaStewart.com
If this idea inspires you, let me know. I’d love to share your project here too.
Want some more ideas? Visit my Pinterest board dedicated to jar gift ideas.
50 Jar Gifts: idea #8 “Remembering” Story Prompts
Remembering Story Prompts Kit
Here is the first in a series of story prompt jar gifts. The idea is a set of questions in a jar that you can pull out to help you remember and record someone in your life who has died. I printed it on chipboard but they could be printed on cardstock. There is a different color on each end of the question so that once you have answered it you can turn it over in the jar and keep track of which questions you haven’t answered yet. The questions are intended you spark your memory and lead you to other thoughts and memories. Let your them flow and see where they take you.
printed Remembering Story Prompts kit
Story Prompts back
The first sheet in the file is the back of the story prompt. This sheet is optional but it helps in keeping track of which set of story prompts the question comes from and adds more color to the jar. I start by printing two copies of the first page (full bleed if your printer has that option) and then feed these pages back into the printer to print the question pages. (You should refer to your printer manual to know the right way to feed these into your printer.)
Story Prompt Questions
Story Prompt Questions
The next two sheets are the questions. After printing these pages need to be cut apart by cutting the sheet in half (the long way) at 5.5″ and then every 1 1/16″ to finish cutting the questions apart. I also like to use a corner rounder on each question but that is optional. But it looks nice and will help the questions not get so dog-eared with use.
Story Prompt Packaging and Journal Cover
The last page has an insert for the canning jar lid (wide mouth quart or pint and a half work great) and a set of tags to tie on to the jar with simple instructions. There is a journal cover so that you can also give them a place to record the memories for sharing and future reference. Cut another piece of chipboard or heavy cardstock for the back along with some blank or lined paper for the inside. Then bind them together by your chosen method. I’m lucky enough to have a wire binding machine but you can get the journal bound at your local copy center. This sheet isn’t strictly necessary but it helps pull the gift together into a nice package.
I am putting the jar and journal in a gift bag along with some treats to munch on while answering the questions to help get them started on recording their memories of a loved one.
Feel free to use these files for personal use and gifts. You can download pdfs here.
Questions come from those at StoryCorps.org.
50 Jar Gifts: idea #7 – Candle Jars
Jar of Candles from Prepared Not Scared
Let’s start with this practical idea for combining candles and jars. It is an ingenious idea, a way to store and use emergency candles all in one place. Is there a family story about loosing power and being prepared that you could share. Or even a story about a pioneer ancestor and how they didn’t have electricity and used candles and lanterns to see at night. Prepared Not Scared has a great step by step tutorial on how to make this Jar of Candles. She even has a label ready to print to make a beautiful gift.
label for Jar of Candles as a gift from Prepared Not Scared
Here are some more jar and candle ideas. Some are more practical and some are just pretty. Pick the one that appeals to you and gives you an opportunity to share a story from your family. Then every time they use your gift they will remember that story.
image WeddingsPins.net
image from userealbutter.com
image from remodelaholic.com
mason jar candles from whenshuttersclick.com
DIY Chalkboard Mason Jar Candle Centerpiece by Katherin González Romero
matches in mason jar with strikeable lid image from The Burlap Bag
If this idea inspires you, let me know. I’d love to share your project here too.
Want some more ideas? Visit my Pinterest board dedicated to jar gift ideas.
50 Jar Gifts: idea #6 – Money Jars
image from Lisa Room by Room
For another gift idea with a more practical flavor, how about jars for saving money. Think of a family story where money played a key role and share that along with the jar idea that best fits that story.
image from RoamerApp for travelers
For example, Mary Taylor and her family saved for many years to have enough money to emigrate to the United States. Maybe your family dreams of taking a trip together. Giving each family member a trip saving jar would be a great way to encourage saving plus build up excitement for the trip.
image from Cowie’s Craft and Cooking Corner
Another story is how my grandmother used eggs to pay for a family portrait. It ended up being the only professional picture of their family because Carol Joy died a short time later. Money was tight be Irene found a way to get the photograph taken. We still have the receipt for the last payment of eggs. Does your family or a family member have a special purchase they want to make? How about a special savings jar to encourage them in that endeavor.
image from Bits of Everything
Maybe you would just like to teach wise money management skill. Share a story from your family about how they were blessed by having good money habits. Then give a set of jars to help with saving and spending money wisely. Here are a few more examples. I hope they will inspire you.
image from Will Work for Decor
Personalized Savings Jar from MyOwnLabels.com
image from Erin Sutton
image from By Stephanie Lynn
image from a Little Glass Box
If this idea inspires you, let me know. I’d love to share your project here too.
Want some more ideas? Visit my Pinterest board dedicated to jar gift ideas.
50 Jar Gifts: idea #5 – Mason Jar Sewing Kit
image from It All Started with Paint
This is a fun and practical idea. If you love to sew or if you have an ancestor who loved to sew this gift would be a great opportunity to share that love along with your family’s stories. Do you have a stash of buttons? The pincushion jar would be a good way to share buttons. You could also share any stories connected with those buttons. Did they come from a favorite piece of clothing or a certain family member? I inherited a bunch of spools of thread from my grandmother. The would be great in a jar like this. Hopefully the image below get your creative juices going.
image from It All Started With Paint
image by Frugalcious Me
craft Jar of Whimsies by Phizzychick! on Flickr
image from bystephanielynn.com
image from My Lovely Inspirations
image from julieoldcrow.com click for tutorial
image from dishfunctionaldesigns.blogspot.com
If this idea inspires you, let me know. I’d love to share your project here too.
50 Jar Gifts: idea #4 – Decoupage
image from plaidonline.com
I did lots of decoupage when I was growing up on boards but I never thought of doing it on a jar. You can find step by step directions here.
Plaid also has another tutorial on decoupaging jars here. This example doesn’t include a photograph. You can decoupage all kinds of things including leaves and fabric. Enjoy the examples below. I hope they inspire you.
another decoupage idea from plaidonline.com
Garden Decoupaged Quart Mason Jar Girls In Pink Solar Light by CarlaRaeVintage on Etsy
image from you-dont-have-to-say-you-love-me.blogspot.com
image from Julia Hull Library
image from thecreativeplace.blogspot.com
click image for tutorial
image from kristanlynn.com
tutorial on decoupaging jar lids
One advantage of decoupage is that copies work great. You don’t need to use the originals. I can image making copies of love letters between my grandparents along with their photos and mixing them together to make a lovely keepsake of them. Maybe tuck a story inside about their courtship and a treat to eat while reading the story.
If this idea inspires you, let me know. I’d love to share your project here too.
Related articles
- 50 Jar Gifts: idea #2 – Year in a Jar (tellingfamilytales.com)
- 50 Jar Gifts: idea #1 – Memories in a Jar (tellingfamilytales.com)
- 50 Gift Ideas: Tips & Tricks (tellingfamilytales.com)
50 Jar Gifts: idea #3 – Sands of Time
image from indulgy.com
I think this idea is awesome. It is a beautiful way to remember your travels The different colors of sand are so beautiful and varied. You can also collect pebbles and rocks. I also like the idea of writing on the rocks. Here are a bunch of examples.
jars with sand and pebbles, etc. from different places from themagnoliamom.blogspot.com
image from interiordesigning.net
image from savvysugar.com
image from blog.kandrac-kole.com
What I’d really like to do is collect rocks and/or dirt from different places in my family’s history. Wouldn’t it be cool to go back to England where my great-great grandma, Mary Taylor was born and collect some soil. Then trace her journey to the west, stopping at key points along the way to collect more sample. Layered in a jar with labels of some kind and maybe a mini book to explain the importance of each place. With the power of the internet it would probably be possible to find people who live in each of those areas to gather what I’d need and ship them to me. The trip would be more fun but it isn’t in my budget in the near future.
dirt from places around the country
image from Sarah Wiley Joyce
If this idea inspires you, let me know. I’d love to share your project here too.
50 Jar Gifts: idea #2 – Year in a Jar
Year in a Jar By Kid’s Crafts Contributor Stephanie, from the blog A Geek In Glasses via ThinkCrafts.com
Here is a fun and simple way to help someone collect their memories for the coming year. All you need is a jar, a photo and vinyl numbers or another way to add the year to the jar. Then as they year goes by they drop those little things they collect from their days into the jar. At the end of the year it is like a little time-capsule. ThinkCrafts.com has detailed instructions on how to make this jar gift.
image from thinkcrafts.com
image from journeychic.com
If this idea inspires you, let me know. I’d love to share your project here too.
telling family tales 