The Ultimate Souvenir -- A Family Vacation Scrapbook
Despite the best of intentions and planning, we all know the family vacation can turn ugly at times; Billy doesn't want to go to the museum, Jane is totally bored with the ballgame. But if you can get everyone on board to create a family vacation scrapbook, you just might trick 'em into having fun during the down times.
Here's what you'll need to create your ultimate vacation souvenir: camera (also consider a disposable camera for each family member to get everyone's perspective;) video camera, handheld tape recorder or notebook and pen to record thoughts and observations, small box to collect memorabilia, postcard and stamps. The scrapbook and supplies can be purchased later, but at the most basic you'll need an album, pen for journaling and archival quality glue or mounting stickers. You can go all out and get stickers, themed papers and tons of embellishments. Visit a craft store for some ideas.
Get your game plan together before you leave. Assign everyone a role: photographer, ticket taker (to seek out and keep stubs, brochures and other memorabilia), reporter to jot down reactions and observations to include in the scrapbook journal, mailman to fill out and send home postcards to your home (a nice welcome home to cure the post-vacation blues and a unique journal entry for a scrapbook.) You can rotate these roles each day if you like, (but make sure the photographer gets in a shot or two.)
Reporter
On the way, ask everyone what they're most
looking forward to, and what they think will be a big bust.
When someone makes a funny remark, jot it down for a "Top Ten
Quotes" list from the vacation. Example: we visited Cape Cod
and had to pay $10 to park at the beach at the end of a cold
drizzly day. So I asked, "Do we get a crappy day discount, or
what?" The answer was no, but it made our top ten list and my
scrapbook. At the end of each day, ask everyone for their
favorite memories of the day. Your family won't remember their
exact impressions when they get home, so jot it down while
their thoughts are fresh. You could also use a video camera to
have a record of thoughts and quotes.
Photographer
The easiest rule of photography -- the
more pictures you take, the more good photos you're likely to
get. But don't miss these shots: a picture as you get set to
go, some shots along the way, and of course one when you
finally get home -- the vacation is about the journey
and the destination. When something goes wrong, document
that too! We have a great shot of the traffic jam that kept us
car bound for 4 hours during our honeymoon in Hawaii. If you're
using a camera with film, consider a roll of black and white
film for some classic shots. Don't forget lots of candids! If
you're going to be spending any time in the water, definitely
get a single use waterproof camera. The shots turn out pretty
good, and gives you a unique perspective.
Copyright 2007 Modern Mom, LLC. All rights reserved.
Member Comments On...
The Ultimate Souvenir -- A Family Vacation Scrapbook
0 |
Great ideas getting the family to share the "burden" of gathering all the bits and bobs for a family scrapbook - we have all our things from our trip to Disney Paris last November, now to put it in a book!
1 |
You could even do this when not on vacation, just wander around your area at different places and make a scrapbook of your home town. Or, you could take turns suggesting places to visit and make up a scrap book using the ideas listed.
6 |
So great. I can do everything that I think I can do
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