Make a Mother's Day Time Capsule

What better way to celebrate mom than gifting her with a Family Time Capsule for Mother's Day, complete with a tribute ceremony in her honor? This is an activity that Dad will have to supervise or an older child but it is well worth it. You can purchase Time Capsule kits but it's simple and easy enough to make on your own, and everyone will have fun doing it.

First make the capsule. I suggest using PVC pipe because it is both waterproof , won't rust and almost is indestructible. Get a pipe approximately 6 inches in diameter and cut to the size you want, considering what will be placed inside. Screw on a PVC pipe end and cap it, and have the same for the top when you're finished. Mark the capsule with the date you are going to bury it and the date you will open it. Plan on opening it at least 10 years from burial date, 20 or more years is even better.

What should be included inside? Here is my suggested list, but of course it can be customized for your family:

Copies of everyone's birth certificates, marriage certificate, baptismal certificates
Children's report cards, college IDs, diplomas
Awards and other honors.
Letters, printed out emails, post cards, birthday cards, anniversary cards
Vacation keepsakes and souvenirs, hotel stationery, snapshots, plane tickets, train tickets.
Family photos, team photos, a photo of your house
Favorite family recipes.
Children's artwork.
Hand prints of family members marked with their ages.
Newspaper and magazine covers showing current events of the day.
Menus from favorite restaurants.
Locks of hair, hair ribbons.
Favorite family song lyrics, or poems or prayers.

There really is no limit on what you can include in your Family Time Capsule, as long as it fits and holds memories. Each family will have special personal items they may want to include, just be sure there is something from everyone.

Get together with siblings and Dad and write a dedication to Mom to be read on Mother's day. Have everything ready to put in the capsule and set aside in a box. Invite the whole family. The ceremony can be planned around a special meal or the rest of the days activities. Pick a spot in the yard and make sure even the youngest member of the family knows where it is. If you want you can make a special marker for the spot.

On Mother's Day hold a brief ceremony where you are going to bury the capsule. Have the youngest or the oldest read the tribute to Mom and then place it in the capsule, along with each item. A hair ribbon from one child, a travel brochure, graduation photos, and so forth. Use the PVC pipe end and cap to close up the capsule; a permanent marker to mark both burial and opening dates; and then bury it. Obviously if your family moves someone will have to dig up the capsule and move it with the family.

A Family Time Capsule presented on Mother's Day is an inexpensive and unique way to celebrate Mom's life and what she means to her family. She is certain to be touched and honored. Imagine her face on the day it's opened and smile.