I love to travel! I love to explore new places (near and far), spend time with my family and create memories. I love to take photographs – they are a reminder of everything we saw and did, the colors, the feel, the experience and of course us. I frequently show S photographs from our travels as reminders, some trips were from when she was too young to remember or she has forgotten some of the details.
I like to surround myself with memories, especially from my travels. Below are some of my favorite ways to preserve our travel memories.
Photo Travel Map
On my bucket list is to take S to visit all 50 states by the time she graduates from high school. We have made a dent in the states including the two hardest/most expensive states to visit. My goal is to take a photo of us, preferably as a family, in each state and attach it to my Photo Travel Map. This map of the states is housed in our master bedroom. For more details on how to create your own Photo Travel Map you can see my original post here.
Beach Souvenir: Seashell Collection
Collecting seashells is always a favorite of ours during beach vacations. S has a collection of seashells from our various trips to the beach on display in her room. I believe that beach vacations are her favorites. Want to learn more about our seashell collection? You can see how we organize and display our treasures here. We have also made a picture frame using shells from the trip and it is the perfect spot to display a favorite photo from the trip. Another idea of an object to collect during your trips would be heart shaped rocks.
Scrapbook
I am a scrapbooker and scrapbook both our everyday life and our travels. I love to scrapbook – it’s therapy to me 🙂 Preserving our photos along with our story is important to me. I know I wish that I had the photos/stories about my parents, grandparents, etc. Lately, I have been using the easier route of using pocket scrapbooking. Pocket scrapbooking allows me to put my albums together quicker because I can choose to add as much or as little embellishments as I want. S loves to look through my scrapbooks and talk about where we were and what we were doing.
Journal
If a scrapbook is too much work or not your thing, what about a journal to remember your stories and place your photos in an album. There are so many fun notebooks available on the market. During downtime (waiting in line, before bed or riding in a vehicle), you could jot down a couple of notes that will help you remember your trip, your likes, and dislikes, and answers to questions you might ask your kids at the end of the day – for example: what was your favorite/least favorite part of the day.
Create a Photo Book
If you are not crafty, a photo book is a great option to get your photos printed in an easy to view way. Photo books are easy to create with many options for the color and design of each page.
Consider printing an extra photo book for a family member who you traveled with. My niece went with us to Hawaii several years ago and I sent her a photo book to remember the trip. Plus she was able to share her trip with friends and family members.
Purchase a Special Souvenir
Purchasing a special souvenir will remind you of your trip each time you use it, wear it or see it. Some ideas might include a piece of art by a local artist, a cookbook specific to the cuisine in the area that you travel to, a piece of jewelry (especially one created locally) or something that you might collect (I love Christmas ornaments and boxes – ceramic, wood, etc.).
I hope these ideas get you thinking about ways to preserve your family memories.
What is your favorite way to preserve your travel memories?
Great ideas! My 11 year old is particularly excited about trying out the photo map idea 😉 We are on the same wavelength with some of the other ideas – I love scrapbooking and journaling as I go. If only I could find more time to get everything into albums!
Time is always a problem! 🙂 I hope you try the photo map – let me know how it goes!
I love seeing or using souvenirs from our travels everyday. It always makes me happy to remember our vacations with my favorite coffee cup, cookbook or bracelet.
I love souvenirs, they are constant reminders!
Love, LOVE the map idea. That would be so fun to do with states too. Hubby and I just stay in Florida when we travel and that would be neat to pin where we have been. Love these ideas
That is a great idea Tammy!
As a traveler, I really enjoyed this post! The map that you have in your bedroom is such a cool concept…Not to mention that it looks good and will help bring back the memories of each trip!
Thank you Lisa!
These are all such GREAT ideas and my favorite is your 1st suggestion! That is just fabulous, so original and truly an amazing keepsake!
Thank you Michelle! We love our photo map!
I have been a traditional scrapbooker, but we take cruises each year and always looking for ways to preserve our memories.
I still love to scrapbook! It’s great that my daughter enjoys “scrapbooking” too, so we can both create at the same time.
I love that map idea! We usually go the same place for vacation every year, but we have been wanting to branch out more. What an adorable way to keep track of our travels!
Thank you April! The map is one of our favorites!
Such great ideas! I can’t wait to take my daughter on more trips and create wonderful keepsakes like these! That map is such an amazing idea!
Thank you for sharing with us at #MommyMeetupMondays!
Thank you so much Brandyn! We love our photo map! I hope your family can travel more often.
These are such great ideas! Makes me want to go out and get my travel on now haha
Thank you Samantha!
I love these ideas! Especially the map. Thank you for sharing at the Creative Inspiration Party. 🙂
Thank you Trish!
I LOVE the idea of a photo map! It’s such a fun project and a great visiual way for the entire family to remember and enjoy the memories of our travels. Thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you Tiffany! The photo map is my favorite piece of art on my walls.
Great tips! I love this.. Pinned and tweeted. Thank you for bringing this to our party and we hope to see you on Monday at 7 pm. Lou Lou Girls
Thank you Kimberly!