How to Make a Time Capsule for Your New Baby
Looking for an unusual and memorable gift? Why not preserve aslice of history by creating a time capsule as a gift for yournew baby? Your personally designed time capsule preserves history, popularculture, special memories and can help link...
... generations of afamily together. It is truly a unique and thoughtful gift thatwill be cherished in later years.There are a number of steps to keep in mind when creating a timecapsule gift.MAKE YOUR OWN HISTORY Traditionally, a time capsule provides a“snapshot” of a specific day in history, so focus mainly on thebaby’s birth day or events happening near that date. What information is important? A summary of current events todepict what was happening in the world makes the time capsulevery relevant, and details about popular fads, movies, sportingevents and books will also be interesting to read about decadeslater. Be sure to include important information about yourchild’s family as well, which helps to make it a reallypersonalized gift.TIME CAPSULE 101 1. Start Early. The best part of any timecapsule is the thought and preparation that goes into it. Besure that you don’t rush the process, so start during the middlemonths of your pregnancy. If you leave everything until the lastminute, it will look that way! 2. Choose a Container. Think cool and dry when you search forjust the right container. Check online for affordable timecapsules and you will find a variety of styles. Some will evenengrave the child’s name on your selected capsule. However, tomake it very simple, you can make your own capsule by choosing asturdy metal container that can be properly sealed.3. Select an Unsealing Date. Perhaps you want to set asignificant date, such as your child’s 21st birthday, highschool graduation or marriage. It is exciting for everyone tolook forward to the time capsule unsealing, so set a date orevent and stick to it!4. Put it in Writing. This is especially important if the timecapsule will be opened far in the future. Make a capsuledocument that details everything about it, including thecontents, unsealing date, purpose of the capsule and who shouldbe present when it is unsealed. Then keep this document in asafe place.5. Storing the Time Capsule. Although you may be tempted, it isnot advisable to bury your capsule. You are likely to move orforget exactly where it is buried, and the contents could bedamaged by the elements. It’s a better idea to give the capsulea special place in your home -- perhaps the fireplace mantle oron the family piano. Let the capsule become a conversation pieceas you show it to friends and family and talk about itssignificance.CAPSULE CONTENTSThe key to a meaningful time capsule is to make it personal,relevant and interesting. Following are some ideas on items toinclude and more importantly a few to leave out.First, it is strongly recommended not to include food, drinks orliquids -- basically, anything that could ruin the contents orcreate a bad odor. Instead, consider coins, money, stamps, a small keepsake album,baby’s first photos, a video, an audiotape that you recorded foryour baby, your family tree and finally a variety of newspapersand magazines. Write a letter or card to your child explainingthe time capsule’s purpose -- be sure to use acid-free paperthat won’t deteriorate as quickly. Cards and photos are anexcellent choice, but consider creating them with acid-freepaper as well.You can choose contents that are lighthearted and funny or moreserious and reflective. Just remember that you set the tone.Your baby’s time capsule is your creation, so have a great timemaking this personalized and unique gift.To learn more about the history of the time capsule and how toregister your personally created capsule, please visit the AllAbout Baby website.
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