How to Select a Scrapbook Theme

Most scrapbooks are created around themes. Themes help scrapbookers stay organized and focused as they create their masterpieces. Just about any event can become a scrapbook theme. Selecting the theme for your scrapbook should be the first step you take as you plan your creation.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Photos from different events
• Family mementos

Select a Theme for Your Scrapbook

1. Use your photos for inspiration. Pull out a selection of photographs of you from various periods in your life. Think about which of these photos could be grouped into a common theme.
2. Think about the places you have been in recent years. Vacations often make for good scrapbook themes. If you have a lot of photos from one particular vacation, then that vacation is a candidate for a theme.
3. Remember projects you have participated in (such as volunteer projects) and events you have attended (e.g., special concerts, graduation ceremonies or anniversary parties). Photos or mementos from these types of things can be the basis for a scrapbook theme.
4. Consider your hobbies and other things you enjoy. Anything that brings you happiness can be the theme of a scrapbook. From playing guitar to walking your dog, you can arrange a scrapbook around it. If you don't have enough photos of you participating in any of these activities, take some!
5. Give some thought to a family tree scrapbook. Genealogy is growing in popularity as more and more people seek to uncover their roots. As a result of this, preserving and displaying family mementos is becoming a hot scrapbooking trend. Family tree scrapbooks also make great gifts.
6. Put your own twist on standard themes. For example, you can create a scrapbook about your children for your mother and father. Rather than simply creating a standard "brag book" for the grandparents though, you can create a unique theme around your children's interests (e.g., "Grandma's Favorite Little Leaguers").

Tips & Warnings

• If you have photos and mementos belonging to someone else (or can get them), then you can make a scrapbook about an event in that person's life. Those types of scrapbooks are excellent things to give as gifts.
• If you are considering a family tree-themed scrapbook but don't have any family tree information, ask older relatives. Creating a scrapbook with your parents or even your grandparents is a great way to share memories and create bonds across generations.
• Sit down and think about your family's favorite group activities or silliest moments to come up with uniquely personal scrapbook themes.