Can you believe 2020 is almost over? 

2020 took us by surprise. We were not ready for what happened. 

While it’s true that it has been a year of doom and gloom — and not a whole lot of good news, 2020 was also jam-packed with lessons, challenges and things we would like (and vow) to cherish from now on. 

It’s clear by now that this pandemic and everything else that went down with it will forever be part of our lives and narratives. We might tell our grandkids how we hunkered down back in COVID-19’s era, we’ll have brave tales about the great toilet paper shortage of 2020, or we’ll remember what grade we were in, at the time when school was an online-only thing. 

♡ Everyone’s story is one of a kind. Each lesson is valued. 

Some parents added “teacher” to their list of job descriptions. Some folks conquered DIY everything. Others learned to pivot and make peace with the word “cancelled”. Some of us enjoyed the extra time at home and even turned their hobbies into a new job. (KUDOS!)

♡ But EVERYONE struggled with missing their loved ones, their families or friends, colleagues or classmates. 

Hence the increased need to document our lives, for our own safekeeping for years to come or to share with those from afar. Without further ado, let’s introduce the easiest and most rewarding family tradition that you can start today: The Time Capsule.

🚀 Why make a 2020 Time Capsule?

Ok, we see where you’re headed. 

Granted, 2020 is not the merriest year of them all. There might be some things we would love to have removed from our emotional hard drive.

The 2020 time capsule might be more challenging. Or, dare we say…more fun? 

God knows we had a lot on our plate. But some things stayed the same: kids grew up just as fast. They discovered something new every day. Why not document the moments that made 2020 special? Why not collect the photos, items, newspapers, art projects that will serve as a frozen glimpse of the year that made us rethink everything?

🧰 How to Make Your 2020 Time Capsule

↪  Choose your container

Be mindful of where you are going to store your time capsule: 

• For indoor storage – you could pick a shoebox, wooden box, large plastic storage container or even mason jars 
• For outdoor safekeeping – think of a weatherproof and non-biodegradable container such as an old metal coffee can, popcorn can or a box made of stainless steel

↪ Decorate

‘Tis the season, anyway.

By decorating, we mean label it so you can add the name of your kids and the approved date of opening. Dare to put 2030 there?

📌  Lessons we’ve learned during the pandemic

What to add to your 2020 Time Capsule❓ 

😷  💦  We’ll start with the obvious – a mask and a hand sanitizer. 

Why? They pretty much sum up 2020 and will open the floor to any future discussions.

↪ Then, we suggested going personal. 

There a lot of free printables out there than can be used as examples on what to add, but the idea is to jot down all the things that are of paramount importance for you and your family, like: favourite movie, game to play, outdoor activity, fav picture of all of you, and guilty-free treat. 

↪ Add your own quirky traditions. 

They make up the best memories that you can look back on in years to come!

Tello Tip: address the weirdness of 2020 by including things like:

❥ How you normally spend Christmas and how you spent Christmas in 2020

❥ Holiday traditions you were unable to do due to restrictions and some new traditions you started this year

❥ Add a small review of 2020 or a personal notebook, drawing, dairy

❥ Include the most important messages you’ve sent out all year long: “We’re fine. The kids are fine. Everybody is FINE.”

❥ Add things that you once took for granted and now miss

❥ What did you dress up as this Halloween?

❥ What are the things you are grateful for?

↪ Include a SPECIAL OCCASION PAGE.

Some celebrated a new addition to the family this year. Or a small wedding outdoors. Or maybe the first day of school was the most exciting thing that needs to be properly documented. That and the day the school was closed, too. 

Maybe you want to forever gloat about that time you beat everyone in the family at your favourite board game. Or the morning you nailed the perfect sourdough bread. Honestly, it can be anything. As long as it has meaning to you, it’s perfect.

✨  2020 is almost over, but the powerful lessons it brought to our front door will stay with us forever. Some sunk in immediately, while others might need more time to find their true meaning. Let’s remember & honour them the best way we can. ✨