Creating a memory jar is an easy and fun way to build stronger family connections by preserving and sharing memories. Get started creating a simple family memory jar using our tips, guidance, and memory jar ideas to bring your family closer together.

What is a Memory Jar?

A memory jar is a collection of personal or family memories that you store in a large, sturdy jar, usually one that’s pretty or meaningful in some way. Memory jars might carry memories of a specific person, perhaps a loved one who’s sadly departed. They could also be a repository of family traditions, ready to show the next generation.

Think of your memory jar as a different version of a photo book or scrapbook, with tangible memories you can take out and view over and over.

How to Create a Memory Jar

Choose a jar that’s large enough to hold photos, trinkets, and anything else you may want to include.
Make sure it’s completely clean and dry. If the jar was used for food previously, you may want to sterilize it.
Pick a topic for your memory jar. Will it be general family memories, or about a particular place, person, or event?
Choose photos and items that remind you of your topic.
Place them carefully in the jar.
Place the jar somewhere everyone can access it.
You could put a little notepad and some colored pens next to the jar, so if anyone wants to write down a memory and add it to the jar, it’s quick and easy to do so.

Ideas for What to Include in a Memory Jar

Just like a scrapbook, a memory jar’s contents are entirely down to you and what’s important for you and your family to remember. You might include feathers or shells from the beach at your favorite vacation spot. Dig in your pockets for ticket stubs from a memorable date night. Of course, photos will always have a special place in or alongside any memory jar.

If you fill your jar with special items you've collected over the years, you could take a photo of each item using a digital camera or smartphone. That way, if you want to create a photo book in the future, you can include all the items that were already in your memory jar.

Must-Have Memory Jar Ideas

Photos of happy memories
If the memory jar is about a specific person, photos of them with various family members
Items that evoke nostalgia and emotion e.g., a glowing report from a teacher, or a favor from a wedding

Items to Avoid

Photos of fights or arguments
Items that relate to breakups or relationship problems — while these may be an important part of your past, they may cause sadness or resentment with other family members
Poor quality or blurry photos that don’t add value to your project

If you’re stuck for ideas, check out inspiration sites such as TikTok. A quick browse shows ideas such as adding memories from a particular year, writing a note for your jar every time you feel grateful for something, or a travel memory jar containing layered sand from beaches all over the world.

Involving Your Family in Your Memory Jar Project

Your memory jar will be so much more meaningful if you get the whole family involved. Choosing your favorite memories together can be an incredible bonding experience.

Get out a stack of old photos and sort through them, seeing who remembers specific events, vacations, or school productions. Or. why not create a WhatsApp group and get everyone in the family to send their best pics from a special day. You could even get your family to search for memorabilia or choose an item that means something to them.

The more involved your family is with your memory jar project, the more it will mean to them as the years go by. The same principle applies to creating photo memory books. Getting everyone involved makes it more fun and more meaningful.

Building Family Connections with a Memory Jar

As well as getting closer to your immediate family, you can show off your memory jar to visiting family and friends, and even take it with you when you visit distant relatives.

A memory jar with photos of good times, or items that mean something to you such ticket stubs from a movie you enjoyed can be a great way to start a conversation. This could help you mend fences with family members you’ve not spoken to for a while. You could even help other family members reconcile by reminding them, with photos and memories, how much they love each other.

Memory jars make wonderful heirloom gifts. The kids in your family will grow up adding to that memory jar, then when it becomes theirs, they can get their kids involved too. Memory jars can become a multi-generational hobby and even a font of family history.

Personalizing and Decorating Your Memory Jar

A simple family memory jar can be beautiful, but it’s so much fun to personalize your project. First, decide if you want your jar to be transparent or opaque. If you want the content hidden until it’s open, you could completely paint or wrap the outside, or use stickers, glue, or paint to decorate the outside of the jar. You could also consider attaching a special fabric, such as lace, to trim your memory jar.

Displaying and Using the Memories in Your Memory Jar

Your memory jar can be on show at all times, waiting for new memories or as a reminder of someone special. This prompts people to add their own special moments. Choose somewhere prominent but safe — you don’t want the jar to get knocked or smashed!

When you get together with family, choose a clear, clutter-free space where you can open your jar and share those memories.

Memory Jar Alternatives

Memory jars can be a great project for bringing your family closer together, but they’re not for everyone. Some might not like to dwell on the past, instead, preferring to live in the moment. Others may want to embrace digital media, sharing memories and announcements via social media or creating slideshows to share via email.

If you prefer a different approach to keeping your memories safe, a popular alternative to memory jars is creating personalized

photo books

. Instead of a jar, you create a themed, personalized, durable book of memories you can keep and hand down to the next generation.

Photo books and memory jars can also really complement each other. You can take pictures of the items in your memory jar and add them to a photo book, or create a photo book to keep in the same spot as your special jar. That way, you always have some snaps of your favorite moments to look over. Find out how simple it is to make a photo book with Mixbook today.