A Simple Way We Save School Memories (Without the Overwhelm)
If your kitchen counters are constantly covered in artwork and school papers, same. I love keeping the sweet pieces from each school year, but I need a process that doesn’t involve boxes of chaos or hours of elaborate scrapbooking.
So I created a one-spot drop zone and a low-pressure memory book for each kid. It’s simple enough that it actually gets done. No perfection required. Just a little system that helps us savor the moments before they disappear into the clutter.
Here’s exactly what we do:
1. Give everything a home
Each child has a scrapbook album and a designated drawer, basket, or bin. Throughout the year, anything I want to keep like photos, drawings, awards, or little stories goes straight in that spot.
2. Keep supplies simple
The basics: an album, a few tabs, fun tape, glue, and some extra paper for backing when needed. Keep them all together so you’re not hunting for supplies later.
3. Add pages when you have a minute
Whenever the drawer fills up or after a school milestone, I pull out the favorites and tuck them into the book. No need for perfect layouts.
4. Enjoy looking back
The best part is pulling these books out together and seeing their handwriting change, laughing at old jokes, and remembering big and small wins.
My Favorite Supplies:
I love using washi tape this one and this one are my favorites.
I love using a tape roller for gluing photos and notes.
These are my tabs I use to indicate the grade level.
I love having these black pens on hand.
These albums are great.
Using photo mounting tabs add some color to the pages.
I also love printing these Lettered Memories each year.
Find the full list of favorites here.
Each year, we capture a snapshot of our kids’ growth—a tradition that started on my daughter’s very first day of school. I wanted to make it more than just a quick photo, so I sat her down for a mini interview with questions like:
What will you miss about home?
What do you want to be when you grow up?
What are you looking forward to about school?
I didn’t have a pennant flag or photo board, so I designed my own custom keepsake card instead. It turned out to be the perfect way to remember each stage of life—great for birthdays, milestones, or just because. Now it’s our go-to tradition, doubling as both a memory to treasure and a thank-you to share with friends and family.
How it works:
Send me a photo of your child with a little background space, and I’ll add the personalized message you’d like. You’ll get:
One digital copy sized for a 5x7 print
One ready-to-share online version
Printing options:
Print at your local shop, FedEx, or Office Depot. Choose cardstock for a keepsake feel, or photo paper for extra shine. Don’t want to hassle with printing? Let GWJ handle it—order high-quality prints right here.
I’ll make only small photo tweaks (lightening or darkening if needed to make the lettering pop—no major edits).
Just fill out the quick form with your details, and in 1–2 business days you’ll get a proof to approve or tweak.
Want to go all out? Add a backer with extra photos or a heartfelt note of gratitude.
Got questions? Email me anytime at hello@shopgivewithjoy.com.
Make this the year you turn a simple photo into a keepsake worth keeping.