Archive Your Memories on Tape or DVD

Get out that old tape recorder and buy a new cassette, at least 60 minutes long. Or if family members feel comfortable talking into the camcorder all the better. Tell your family about your idea ahead of time, even a couple of days before you actually come together for this fun project. Get out last year's calendar that has all the activities your family participated in, including trips, parties, special achievements, sports events, outings, holidays (where spent, etc). If you didn't keep a daytimer, try to recall important dates by month and write them down before you start the project.

Pick a time when everyone can be relaxed without a pressing schedule or homework to do, Saturday night? Sunday afternoon? Have some of your family's favorite treats prepared and sit down together, preferably at the kitchen table, to record the last year's activities you want to remember.

Then take turns, talking into the tape recorder about last year's events. Record the funny and memorable things that happened. Let it be a verbal/visual journaling of the things you want to remember in years to come. Be sure you have a good microphone or have each person speak right into the recorder or close to the camera as they talk. You want a good recording first time around.

Make it a fun time, with little rules or correction. This is not only a time to record memories, but to make them as you remember together. Do this every year and you will have a wonderful store-house of recorded memories that you will treasure forever.

Family journals are available as well to record memories, like this one here. http://www.scb.com.au/detail.asp?cid=&pid=1116