The new year is the perfect time to create a family time capsule. Here, I offer two ways to do this: the traditional, physical time capsule and a paper time capsule for families without a lot of storage or the inclination to make a traditional capsule.
First, the traditional time capsule. You will need an opaque container with a tight-fitting lid. Plastic storage boxes are on sale this time of year, so that might be a good bet. Gather items that matter to your family and that tell a little about the time in which you are living. The newspaper, a DVD or videotape of a news program and pictures are good bets. A copy of New Year’s goals or your family Christmas letter would also be great additions. A note from each family member about what they think they’ll be doing in the future is fun to include.
Seal each item in a plastic bag and label it with a permanent marker. Put all the items inside the container and seal it. (Duct tape, anyone?) Decide on a timeline, such as five or ten years and label the box “Do Not Open Until…..: and put on the date.Some people bury the time capsule outside, but if your basement or storage room is like ours, that’s just as good as a burial, and you won’t have to worry about water damage.
Now for the paper time capsule. Set your kids loose with a digital camera and have them photograph “a day in the life of our family.” The more mundane the better. Chores, dinner, playing outside, feeding the pet….you get the idea. Compile the photos with your computer on a sheet of paper and label each photo. Put it into an envelope, seal, and write on it “Do Not Open Until…” and put on the date when you want to open your time capsule. Put the envelope some place safe where you won’t forget where it is!
A fun ending to this time capsule is the mail a copy of the time capsule to your own family for everyone to discover in the mailbox. (Keep the original just in case.) This is especially fun for family members who may have moved away when it’s time to open the envelope.