Homemade Time Capsules
Creating a time capsule to capture a special event or provide a record of what life was like at a specific time gives kids and adults an opportunity to think about what is important to their lives. Choosing items to include in the time capsule takes thought and often prompts creative expressions. Traditional time capsules are buried with the intention of retrieving them in the future, but many are never recovered as it is easy to forget the exact location.
Theme
Consider the theme of the time capsule. Time capsules to commemorate special events like birthdays, weddings, a new baby, graduations and reunions provide a look back when the recipient gets older. Tell guests ahead of time that you will be collecting items for a time capsule and ask them to bring a small item or a handwritten note to add to the capsule.
Current Events
Include newspaper clippings of current events or important issues in the news. Magazine clippings, news reports or other pieces of interest to those present create an archive that may prove interesting in the future. Celebrity figures, sports figures and technology news are good choices as they change rapidly. Don't forget those catchy ads or the going fads. They won't last forever, but your time capsule will keep them safe inside.
Dreams and Wishes
Adding written statements of dreams and wishes for the future is always a favorite as it allows you to look back and see how your views have changed and to see how many of your dreams have come true. Wishes for someone else, particularly in honor of graduations or births, always make interesting reading when the time capsule is opened.
Preparation
Keeping the items in the time capsule safe requires some precautions. Wrap or seal clippings, writing or photos in acid free paper to prevent deterioration in storage. Avoid anything that is liquid or has the potential to spill and ruin the contents. A metal container will resist most wear and is ideal for a time capsule. Reuse those popcorn or cookie tins to create a sealed container.
Storage
Storing the container in a dry attic with clear labels keeps you time capsule safe. Decorate the outside to clearly indicate its contents. Consider having everyone sign the outside in permanent paints or markers or have them draw something related to the theme of the time capsule.
Opening the Time Capsule
Agreeing on a date for opening the capsule, usually five to ten years in the future, allows enough time to pass to add meaning to the contents. People are often surprised by how much their lives have changed in so short a period, sometimes in ways no one would have guessed. The time capsule evokes memories and often produces a few laughs.
Tags: time capsule, time capsule, capsule safe, have changed, Homemade Time, Homemade Time Capsules