Birthdays are a big deal to me. I like to plan breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, snacks, drinks, activities, outfits, music playlists—it’s a regular production. Something that will not be part of birthday planning anymore is birthday cards. We’ve discovered the best alternative to birthday cards—a keepsake journal.
KEEPSAKE JOURNALS
Years ago I bought a journal for each family member and wrote a note in it instead of giving a birthday card. I’m sure I saw this idea on Pinterest at some point way back when! I never give my kids a birthday card. They’re either going to throw it away immediately, or want to keep every card forever in a pile under their bed!
When a birthday is approaching, we all write a note for the birthday girl (or dad). Before my girls could write, I had them draw a picture or dictate a note as I wrote it for them. When we have a family birthday dinner, I pull out their journal for grandparents or friends to write in too.
Use a Keepsake Journal to Record Memories
I also use their journal to write congratulatory messages to the kids for a job well done, or to memorialize a particularly funny interaction. Kids say the darndest things, right? I know they’ll enjoy reminiscing later, but I probably won’t remember that one of them used to say she was ready to hiber-nite at bedtime. Or the time she wanted to buy a Barbie doll and demanded, “What does it take for a kid to get $5 around here?”
If I get a card with an encouraging note from a friend, family member, or teacher, I cut it out and tape it into the journal. Already, it’s been fun to look back and read the kind things written to each other. I know as the years go by it will be even more valuable to me, and meaningful to my daughters as well.
Use a Keepsake Journal for Encouragement
I have a list of character traits that I want to encourage in my kids. These are characteristics that our family holds as priorities, like kindness, resilience, and curiosity. I love to write a note in their journal when I see them display thoughtfulness or creativity in a special way. Researchers John Gottman and Robert Levenson determined that it takes five positive comments or interactions to over come one negative comment or interaction. An encouraging note in their journal is an easy way for me to interact in a positive way with my kids, with the added benefit of them being able to revisit my words time and time again. Check out my list of positive character traits for ideas to get you thinking about attributes you can encourage through a note in their keepsake journal.
My Favorite Journals
Any old journal or notebook would work for this purpose, but I really like the sturdy wirebound hardcover journals. These can stand up to a lot of use and open flat for writing. I love having a pretty journal to hold in my hands and to read the handwritten notes, but if you’ve got older, tech-savvy kids, you could do an online version of this with a shared Google Doc or Evernote.
Here are a few other options I really love:
Using a keepsake journal has been fantastic for our family. No more hunting for a birthday, anniversary, or Valentine’s card at the last minute. No more spending $3.99 on a card that will get tossed within hours. Anything I can do to strengthen our family connections is a win in my book. Keepsake journals are a fun, easy way to affirm each other’s great qualities and bond over shared memories.
Journaling for Kids
Once your kids are old enough to write themselves, get them started on a daily journaling practice. Read my post about journaling for kids and make it a habit to journal together. You can grab my printable containing 365 journal prompts for kids in my Etsy shop. This instant download includes fun daily prompts asking for a list of 3 each day. Plus you get monthly holidays, seasonal activity suggestions, and fun facts like famous birthdays. And, every month includes a squiggle art drawing prompt!
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