How to Make a Memory Calendar

A memory calendar makes a great gift. Memory calendars are simply calendars that have reminders of important events, such as birthdays, anniversaries or other big events. By following the directions below you can make a memory calendar for yourself or for a gift.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Photos
• Desk calendar
• Archival glue/photo corners
• Scissors
• Markers/gel pens
• Stickers (optional)

1. Make a list of important events you want to include in your memory calendar. If you plan on making a memory calendar as a gift, try to think of all of the events your recipient celebrates. Include holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, and other events. Make sure you have all of the dates, including years, correct.

2. Find one picture that goes along with each event. Last year's picture of a birthday person blowing out their cake's candles is one idea. For anniversaries, use a picture from the couple's wedding or just a picture of the couple.

3. Fill in your desk calendar with the events. For each event, find the date in your calendar. Plan where you will put the picture. Make sure you arrange your picture so that there will be room to write the event's name on that same page.

4. Add event reminders to your desk calendar. Go to your first event and turn to one week before it. Draw a picture of a stop sign, and write the name of the event that will happen in the next week. This will help you to know when events are coming up.

Tips & Warnings

• Pick the best pictures for your calendar. Pictures that show action, such as a wedding dance, or that show context, such as someone wearing a birthday hat, will be the most fun.
• Use photo corners to paste your pictures down. This will allow you to easily take them off the calendar page and add them to a photo album or next year's memory calendar.
• Decorate your calendar pages with stickers as well as pictures. Balloons and cakes work well with anniversaries and birthdays.

[wjg122]

on 9/24/2009 I've used a book called The Birthday Journal for the last few years. It's kind of like a calendar but I don't have to go back and fill it in new every year- just flip to the front. No space for pictures, but I never forget the birthdays, anniversaries, deaths, etc. Check www.birthdayjournal.com