Creating a keepsake memory book requires gathering memorable items like photos, postcards, greeting cards, letters, and other memorabilia that remind you of special moments you once shared with someone or had in your life.
It becomes even more special when you are creating a memory book for grandma because it goes beyond gathering a collection of memorable items into a book to show how much you cherish your grandma and want to preserve the beautiful memories and moments she had.
A keepsake memory book for grandma is also a testament to the love and bond that she shares with the family and embarking on a project, as this in turn binds and strengthens the family together as family members would collaborate to make the project a success.
In this article, you will learn the step-by-step process of how to create a memory book for grandma with ease.
Key Takeaways
- Creating a memory book for grandma is a beautiful way to reconnect the past with the present and celebrate the amazing person she is.
- If you are having difficulty with creating a memory book for grandma, tools like meminto will help you create one with ease.
Memory Book for Grandma
Step 1: Gather Materials
The first step to making an outstanding memory book for grandma is by gathering the right materials you will be needing for the entire project.
It starts with picking the right notebook for the project. The thing is, any kind of notebook is good to use so long as it is acid free, but if you want to create something that would last for years to come, then I suggest getting a scrapbook instead.
A scrapbook is not only the best notebook to use because it is acid free and very durable but also allows you to easily attach extra pages to it if need be. You can easily find a scrapbook at stationery, craft, or general grocery stores, and if you are unsure of where to get it in your area, you can quickly order one online.
After you have gotten your scrapbook or any notebook you intend to use for the memory book, the next thing to do is to gather a collection of memorable items of your grandma, like photos, postcards, handwritten letters, and other memorabilia of hers.
At this point you may need to reach out to other family members to help you sort out some photos and memorable items they have of grandma too so you do not become overwhelmed with it or miss out on any important memorabilia that should be in the memory book.
Furthermore, you will need to get an adhesive, pen, or marker that is acid free and very durable. I discovered that archival glues are the best and would give you a perfect result for your project.
To make the book more colorful, you can add embellishments like glitters, rhinestones, or whatever decorations that symbolize the shapes, items, and colors your grandma loves the most.
Step 2: Choose a Theme
Once you are done with sourcing the necessary materials you need for making your grandma’s memory book, the next step is to choose a theme.
Choosing a theme for the memory helps you know the type of photos and memorable items you will be needing for the memory book.
For instance, the theme for your memory book can center around grandma’s career, vacations, or life story. Let’s say you choose grandma’s life story as your theme. Then you will need her photos from childhood to her present age, photos with family members, and personal memorable items like her letters, postcards, report cards, wedding photos, and so on. These photos should highlight significant events and milestones in grandma’s life.
Note that, the memorable items you will use for grandma’s life story memory book will be much compared to choosing themes like grandma’s career or vacation. Whichever type of theme you choose, ensure you have the right memorabilia for it so you do not feel stuck halfway.
Step 3: Sketch a Layout
Now that you have your materials ready and you have already chosen the theme for grandma’s memory book, it is important you plan out what your memory book for grandma will look like before attaching her photos and other memorable items to the pages of the book.
For instance, you can sketch out a layout whereby photos or memorabilia will be on the same page with some captions or short text. Or the memorable items will be on one page while the caption is on the next page.
You can also decide to attach photos and then decorate the book with glitter and other embellishments without adding captions or short notes.
Also, the order or manner of arranging the photos can be in chronological format, where you start with pictures of her childhood, or you can flip it by starting the memory book with photos and memorabilia of her present age to her childhood.
There are no strict rules to how a memory book should look, so do what works for you and would make your grandma happy in the end. And if you are unsure of how to sketch your layout, you can get a scrapbook with a custom made layout for the memory book.
Step 4: Crop and Attach
If there’s anything I find interesting when flipping through a memory book, it’s when the photos and other memorable items are cropped into different shapes and sizes rather than the usual rectangular shape.
It gets me inquisitive, like I want to know what the shape on the next page would be. I believe this applies to everyone too, not just me.
So if you want to keep grandma and other family members spellbound when flipping through the memory book, then crop the memorable items into lovely shapes and objects before attaching it to the notebook.
Another reason why you would want to crop some photos is that it may include certain things that do not fit into the memory book. For instance, it could be a picture of grandma with a stranger or object that should not be in the memory book.
To better crop the photos and memorable items, use a pair of sharp scissors and mark the item with the sharp you want to cut it into before cutting it with a pair of scissors. Also consider the layout while cutting so it fits into it perfectly.
After you are done with cropping, you can then apply your adhesive glue at the back of the memorable item and attach it to the notebook. I advise you to use an acid free glue and only spread a thin layer of the glue at the back of each item so it sticks to the notebook or scrapbook and does not spill over.
Then you can smoothen the item to the book and allow it to dry properly before turning to the next one.
Note that while choosing and applying your adhesive, you will need the right glue for the right item. If you are attaching other memorable items, like three dimensional objects, and decorative elements other than photos, you will need a different adhesive glue for it.
Step 5: Add Personal Touch
Now that your memory book for grandma is halfway through, and you have attached all of the memorable items you need, it is time to pen down heartfelt captions describing what each item is about.
Doing this will help the reader know what an item depicts and why it is important to you and grandma. And it does not necessarily have to be a long caption or write-up.
It could be something as simple as a picture of a beautiful flower with a simple caption like “grandma’s favorite flower.”
To make it more personal and relatable, you can add grandma’s favorite quotes, recipes, draw something beautiful to make it more personal, meaningful, and special. You can ask other members of the family to write a short, heartfelt note to grandma and attach it as part of the caption.
Furthermore, you can also add glitter just so it becomes more attractive in the reader’s eyes, but do not overdo it. I think it looks best when you add those glitters, rhinestones, or other fancy elements to reduce the amount of blank space for captions rather than just putting it everywhere.
When you are through with everything, you can simply wrap it up with a beautiful ribbon and present it to grandma either as a gift on her birthday or anniversary.
Pro Tip
Creating a memory book for grandma may seem like an easy task, but it’s not always so. If you come from a large family, I will advise you to include every member of the family in the project.
Ask them to contribute in their own little way, whether it is to help you sort out old pictures, trim the photos and memorabilia, or write some of the beautiful captions for the memory book. Whatever it is, get everyone involved, as everyone’s input does not only add to the richness of the book but unites the family together.
Another thing is: do not rush things; take your time to source for quality materials that are acid free and would stand the test of time. Also pay attention to details when cropping photos or attaching elements, it should be neat and clean, including the handwriting.
This simple act can improve the overall appearance of the memory book. I would also suggest you document the whole process of making the memory book by taking photos and videos. It may seem unnecessary at first, but in the end, you would appreciate watching those beautiful memories you created.
How to Create a Memory Book on Meminto
Now that you have an idea of the steps to take when creating a memory book for grandma, you can make the entire process seamless by using Meminto.
With Meminto, you can easily make a memory book and any other type of customizable items for your grandma and loved ones. The steps involved are pretty simple, and you receive your customized products on time.
Here’s how you can use Meminto to create a memory book for grandma:
- Go to https://meminto.com/product/life-book/ and locate the “Get Started” button.
- Decide if you are making the book for yourself (“I will”) or as a gift for someone else (“Someone else will”).
- Choose the number of pages you want and specify if you need extra copies or prefer digital versions. Then, click “Add to Cart.”
- Enter your shipping details, choose your payment method, and apply any available promo codes.
- Review your order details and track its status on the checkout page.
- Check your email for a confirmation containing an activation code. Copy the code and visit https://memin.to/register.
- Fill out the personal information of the person you are writing about, enter the activation code, and create a password. Click “Sign up for Meminto” to start writing your story.
- Select your language preference (German or English) and choose the day you want to receive weekly writing prompts. Click “Save Changes.”
- Customize the memorial book by choosing the alignment of text and how sections are organized.
- You can further personalize the memorial book to match your preferences.
- Watch the instructional video below so you can get better guidance on how you can use the Meminto app.
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Conclusion
Creating a memory book for grandma is a beautiful way to show that you cherish her memories, stories, and labor of love over the years. It is a simple yet profound gift that helps capture the special moments grandma has shared with you and other members of the family.
It goes beyond the photos and beautiful words stuck in a notebook and takes one on a journey of reminiscing and reconnecting the past with the present. A priceless gift that helps you celebrate the amazing person your grandma is.
In this guide, I have listed out all the steps you need to make your memory book for grandma a success. Have a beautiful time creating one.
