Creating a Memory Jar for Valentine's Day

Looking for a new idea for a loved one for Valentine's Day? I think this one is rather fun! Give them a jar full of memories.

I saw this on the old Oprah show several years ago. It's really simple and straightforward. Just get a pretty jar or dish and write memories of that person on little slips of paper. You can do this for parents, your kids or grandkids, a dear friend, your spouse...the list goes on and on. 

When I saw this on Oprah's show, I shared it with a friend. She had seen the same show too. We both decided to do this for our husbands for Valentine's Day. I believe she even did one for her mother. We had fun sharing our ideas.

The dish full of memories I gave my husband several years ago.

Just go to the shops you enjoy to pick out a vase or dish or basket. Something that would match their decor or that they would like. I even looked at some candle holders--that way after the holiday and all the reading of memories, you can use it for candles. Sometimes vases just get put up in the closet and forgotten. Use a vessel that you (or the recipient) might use--like a candle holder or a big coffee mug.

Pretty mugs would work great too, for holding memories.

Mugs would be a good choice and then they can use them after Valentine's.

These colorful jars would work great.

When looking for ideas, I couldn't resist snapping a picture of this pretty pink candle holder. If you did it for your mother or wife, then she would have a candle holder for her bedside table--it's so sweet.

For those who have the farmhouse decor, here's a pretty jar.

This one has a more manly feel for your hubby or boyfriend. Then you could use it for kitchen storage. :)

I really liked this one. It has a lid and then all the special memories can be tucked inside.

Once you've got your jar or vase, then write your memories on slips of paper and place inside. The memories are strictly up to you. They can be anything. Writing for your spouse or significant other? Write how you met, what you love about her, trips you've taken, how they've been supportive....you get the idea. Writing for a grandchild? Memories of their birth, fun things you've done together and silly things they've said.

And single slips of paper are fun, but it might be even more creative to put a ribbon on each so they have to pull them out. Or put them on a decorative straw or pencil. 

Putting memories on pretty ribbons if you choose to do that.

The memory is taped to the end of the ribbon.

The candle holder I put the ribbons in rather than using a vase.

Finished memory jar.

In this memory jar, I attached some memories to pencils as well as writing some on slips of paper to put in the tin.

More ideas!

You could even put some chocolate kisses or other candies in the dish. And you might also forget the vase and put your memories in balloons. A friend did my blog back in June. She shared how she and her siblings did "thanks for the memories" for their dad. They put their good thoughts and memories in balloons, and he had to pop each and read them. How fun to do for Valentine's Day too.

Write a memory for each balloon and placed them inside BEFORE you inflate them.

A sweet friend's dad opening his memory balloons.

On another note:

I really think when I saw this Oprah show, it was actually about doing a memory jar for someone you might be estranged from. It's a way to attempt to heal a broken relationship. It's one of those exercises that helps the giver as well as the memory jar recipient. So there's no time like Valentine's to create and give such a jar. You never know the healing it can bring until you try it.

Parting thought:

I just think Valentine's Day is a day to be a kid again and have some fun with this holiday. It's a February holiday that can bring you out of your winter funk. A memory jar--give it a try!