✨ Staring at a pile of photos, wondering how to turn them into the perfect gift… I’ve been there. After countless hours covered in craft glue and helping hundreds of families, I’ve mastered the art of creating meaningful DIY gifts—testing, fixing fails, and discovering solutions that actually work.
😅 But I know the struggle: How do you create a gift that feels truly special without spending a ton of time or money? How do you get the kids involved in a way that’s fun, not forced?
👑 That’s why in this post, I’ll show you exactly how to solve these challenges with tips I’ve tested myself. Stick with me, and you’ll learn how to create a cherished keepsake that doubles as a family activity, all in under 30 minutes! 💖
Time Required: Under 30 minutes (excluding printing time)
Budget Level: Low-Cost
Skill Level: Beginner / Kid-Friendly
What You’ll Need for Your Meaningful Memory Jar ❤️
My go-to trick for a successful DIY Grandparents Day gift is to gather everything you need before you start. It makes the process smooth, fun, and totally stress-free. Here’s your simple checklist:
✅ A clean, empty glass jar with a lid (mason jars work great!)
✅ Colorful paper or cardstock
✅ Pens, markers, or crayons
✅ Scissors
✅ Ribbon, twine, or decorative embellishments
✅ Our FREE Grandparents’ Day Printable Pack (prompts & labels)
✅ Printer and paper for the printables
✅ Glue stick or tape (for attaching labels)
👑 Nancy’s Pick: I highly recommend using a set of archival, acid-free pens. It sounds fancy, but it simply means the precious notes your family writes won’t fade over time, preserving these memories for years to come.
Creating Your “Reasons We Love You” Jar: Step-by-Step Guide ✍️
A question I get all the time from my community is, “Nancy, how can I make a gift that feels personal and not just like another craft project?” This memory jar is my answer. We started making these with my kids for their grandparents a few years ago, and it quickly became a cherished family tradition. The best part was hearing later how my parents used the slips as wonderful conversation starters for grandparents, pulling one out at dinner to share a laugh or a sweet memory.
Step 1: Print & Prepare Your Prompts & Labels
First things first, let’s get your secret weapon ready! Download and print our free Grandparents’ Day Printable Pack. Once printed, use your scissors to carefully cut out the individual writing prompt slips. You’ll also want to cut out your favorite decorative jar label from the sheet and set it aside for the final step.
[Image Placement Instruction: image-1: A flat lay of the printed prompt sheets and decorative labels, ready to be cut, alongside the empty jar and other materials.]
Step 2: Craft Your Loving Notes (A Sentimental Family Activity!)
This is where the magic happens! Gather the family around the table and spread out the prompt slips. This is the perfect sentimental family activity because it gets everyone thinking about what makes Grandma and Grandpa so special. Use the prompts to spark ideas—from favorite memories to things you admire about them. Encourage everyone to write their own special message.
💡 Pro-Tip: For little ones, have them draw a picture or dictate their thoughts for an adult to transcribe onto a prompt slip! Their sweet words (and adorable drawings) are pure gold.
[Image Placement Instruction: image-2: Close-up shot of hands (adult and child) writing on the small slips of paper, with some of the printable prompts visible.]
Step 3: Assemble & Decorate Your Heartfelt Gift
Once all your loving notes are written, it’s time to assemble your masterpiece. Fold each slip of paper in half and place them inside the jar. Screw the lid on tightly. Now, grab that decorative label you cut out earlier and attach it to the front of the jar with a glue stick or tape. For a final flourish, tie a beautiful ribbon or some rustic twine around the neck of the jar.
[Image Placement Instruction: image-3: A photo showing the beautiful, finished jar, filled with colorful notes and decorated with a bow and one of the printable labels attached.]
Your FREE Grandparents’ Day Printable Pack: Prompts & Labels! 💌
As a Trusted Family Advisor, I know that the hardest part of a project like this is often just getting started. That’s why I created this printable pack to make it effortless. It includes over 50 unique writing prompts like, “My favorite memory with you is…”, “One thing I admire about you is…”, and “You always make me laugh when…”. These aren’t just fill-in-the-blanks; they are designed to be fantastic conversation starters for grandparents. The pack also includes a variety of beautifully designed labels to give your DIY Grandparents Day gift a polished, professional look, turning a simple craft into a truly sentimental family activity.
[Image Placement Instruction: image-4: A clear, attractive image of the printable pack (mockup or actual printouts) showcasing a variety of prompts and labels.]
Making it an Experience: Beyond the Gift ✨
A mistake I always see is thinking the gift-giving moment is the end of the experience. With this memory jar, it’s just the beginning! Here are a few ideas I’ve tested with my own family to turn this gift into a lasting memory.
Idea 1: Presenting the Gift
Instead of just handing it over, present the jar during a family gathering. Have the kids explain what it is and the thought that went into each note. This adds a layer of meaning that grandparents will adore.
Idea 2: Reading Together
Encourage them to open the jar right then and there! Have them pull out a few notes to read aloud with the family. This simple act can spark shared laughter, happy tears, and wonderful stories.
Idea 3: A Year of Love
Suggest that they keep the jar in a visible place, like the kitchen counter or bedside table. They can pull out one note to read each week or month, extending the joy and love from Grandparents’ Day throughout the entire year.
Memory Jar FAQs 🤔
Q1: What if I don’t have a printer for the printables?
No problem at all! You can easily create your own prompts. Just cut colorful paper into small, uniform strips. Then, handwrite your own prompts or simply have family members write down a favorite memory or a reason they love their grandparents on each slip.
Q2: How can we ensure everyone contributes equally to the jar?
A great way to manage this is to give each family member a specific number of slips (say, 5-10 each) and their own colored pen. This not only ensures everyone participates but also makes it fun for grandparents to see who wrote which note.
Q3: What’s the best way for grandparents to enjoy the notes throughout the year?
Suggest they create a “ritual” around it. For example, they could read one note together every Sunday morning with their coffee. Another lovely idea is for them to tape the read notes into a scrapbook or journal to create a permanent collection of your family’s love.
This simple, quick, and heartfelt memory jar is so much more than a homemade gift for grandma or grandpa; it’s a time capsule of your family’s love. By using the printables, you’re not just making a craft—you’re creating a sentimental family activity* that fosters connection and builds a treasure trove of cherished memories.
What’s the first memory or reason you’ll be adding to your Grandparents’ Day Memory Jar? Share your ideas in the comments below
