If I recall, I first saw this idea on pinterest, which I’m sure is not shocking.  ;) On New Year’s Day we do a family video where we recap the past year and also discuss things we hope for in the new one. (Yes, we are totally that cheesy family.) I thought this idea would be a fun one to add to the NYD mix!

Here’s the gist:

You choose a jar….any ol’ jar or bottle will do. I am particularly fond of this one (thank you Mr. Ward for the intro). Pretty sure it’s my new favorite liquor on planet Earth. I suppose that may be obvious considering its contents…or lack thereof.

Place it somewhere that it will be seen often–in the central household hub. For us that’s the kitchen, where we practically spend all of our waking hours.

Cut out a stack of little papers. Find a good reliable pen. Place these items neatly in a drawer or secret hideout near your beloved jar/bottle. I threw mine in our “techy” nick-nack drawer right below it.

Now here’s the key….and I love it because there are really no set rules, limits, or strict requirements (because I am almost certain to fail at those “do something every day for a year” gigs): you write down any cute, fun, sad, lovely, adorable, memorable saying or moment that pops up throughout the year. We have lots of those, and I rarely have a journal or such to write it down.

(And I’m cracking up that I already messed up……my first two had the year 2012 on them. Oh well.)

And you fold it up and pop it in that magical bottle.

Hopefully, after a year you’ll have a bottle BURSTING with memories to relive. On your chosen day at year’s end, you gather the family around a warm fire–with hot cocoa in hand (that has a shot of SNAP mixed in for mom and dad), and you take turns reading the papers aloud.

Sounds like fun, right? Or am I the only sap around here?

Hope your 2013 is off to a great start!

“Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.”
–Benjamin Franklin

Happy 2013, all!