I have always been a person that enjoys making memory boxes. I have a few boxes full of memoirs from friends and family, our wedding, and adventures from over the years. I am pretty selective with what I keep in those boxes, and only put items in that truly gives me joy. I was in Landon’s room one day packing up all his outgrown baby clothes and baby gear when I realized some of the things he had I just couldn’t part with. A lot of those items represented all his “firsts” that happened within his first year and I knew I wanted to keep some of those items to look back at for years to come. That’s when I knew I needed to start a baby keepsake box for him and fill it up with those precious memories. In this post, I’ll be telling you how to make a keepsake box to store your baby’s special memories in.
How to Start
First, you should decide if you want to make your own keepsake box or buy one already designed and personalized. I currently have a lot on my plate and knew that I wouldn’t have time to make one, so I did a quick search and found this keepsake box (see below for a discount code). When you are picking out the box, make sure you consider the size. The size of the box should reflect how much you are planning to keep. Are you wanting to just add items from the first year or do you plan on adding items over time? Having a plan will make sure all of the items you want to store will fit. If you are looking to customize it yourself, don’t forget to make it personal! Adding your baby’s name, birthdate, and photographs to the box make it that more special. The box I ordered was a “Time Capsule box”, meaning I plan on storing items over time in it, and once Landon is 18 he can open it and look back on the memories.
Items to Add to Your Keepsake Box
There is no right or wrong thing to add to your baby’s keepsake box. Since this is such a personal box, everyone’s items are going to be different. I will make a list below of some suggestions of things to add so you know where to start!
Baby’s First Year
- Ultrasound picture
- Footprints and handprints
- Baby’s and mom’s hospital wristbands
- Birth stats card from the hospital crib
- Hospital blanket and hat
- Newborn photos outfit
- Coming home outfit
- Newborn photos
- 1 to 12-month photos
- Socks and/or baby shoes
- First hat/mittens
- A lock of hair from his first haircut
- Favorite or first pacifier/teether
- A photo of you pregnant
- Your letter to your newborn baby
- Letters or messages from loved ones
- Baby milestone journal
- Baby’s lovie or favorite small toy
- Mini polaroid pictures
When your baby isn’t a baby anymore, here are some other suggestions as to what to put in the box if you are wanting to add items over time:
- Family Holiday Photos / Holiday Card Photos
- Write letters recapping each year
- Awards
- First Day of School Photos / Yearly School Photos
- Any sports team photos
- A birthday card from each year
- Pictures of pets
- Tickets and mementos from events and experiences
My exact keepsake box is from here. You can use code COFFEEANDDENIM10 to get 10% off this box! My box details I ordered – Stain Color: Dark Walnut, Size: Regular, Lock: Swing Latch.
If this post inspires you to create a keepsake box of your own, please don’t forget to tag me on Instagram: @coffee.and.denim.
