I have saved mementos from special events for as long as I can remember. I saved graduation tassels, play programs, awards and medals, keepsakes from my wedding, as well as from when my son was born.
It can be hard to know what to do with these things. Recently though, I found a way to inexpensively display these items so that everyone can enjoy them: Shadow Boxes!
Here’s what you will need to create a Keepsake Shadow Box:
- 1 Shadow box
- 1 Piece of felt, scrapbook paper, or fabric
- Favorite mementos
- Double-sided tape, pins, or hot glue gun
I bought an inexpensive shadow box to display these items. There are a variety of box sizes, but the most common are 12×12, 10×10, and 8×8. First determine which size works best for you. I purchased the ones I used from Joann Fabrics. You can also get these for under $10 at Walmart.
Some of the shadow boxes have an inner display board which you can pin things to, but you will pay more for these ones. Instead, I used a sheet of cardboard cut to fit inside the shadowbox. Depending on what you are planning on putting inside the box will also dictate whether you need to use the piece of cardboard.
I have a box of things that I saved from my wedding. These things have just been sitting in the box for two years since the wedding. I decided it was finally time to do something with them. So I decided to use some of the tulle from a pew box, the invitation, the program, and pearls from my headpiece. I also used a photo, some scrapbook paper, and some small pearl embellishments I got from Joann Fabrics.
Arrange the mementos on the piece of scrapbook paper however you desire. Once you have everything where you want it, use either double-sided tape or a hot glue gun to secure everything to the scrapbook page.
After you add the mementos, you can just put the piece of cardboard into the frame, and you are finished! Then hang the shadow box on the wall and you have a beautiful keepsake that everyone can enjoy.
Some other great ideas for these shadow boxes are:
Above is a collage I made for my son after he was born that included his hospital bracelets, bassinet placard, photo, and hat.
- Wedding memories (such as the bouquet, garter, vows, or the veil)
- Birth Memories (hospital wrist bands, hats, pictures, hand and footprint impressions, or cards)
- Pregnancy Memories (ultrasound pictures)
- Child memories (favorite toys, hand and footprints, pacifiers, or onesies)
