Having a baby is such a special, all consuming time of life - with so many firsts to remember and so many little things to keep. But where do you put all those special treasures, mementoes and keepsakes? And once you’ve started collecting them, what do you do with them all?
Enter: the keepsake box. The perfect place to store all your baby’s precious first items. Not only is it a safe place to put irreplaceable items - it’s also a wonderfully accessible way to revisit the past in years to come. Think of it as a treasure chest of memories; a time capsule crafted in love and time. As a grown up, your baby will treasure looking through the box with you, and may even want to create one of their own. Here’s what to put in - and how to create - an heirloom-worthy first keepsake box for your baby.
Choosing a keepsake box
Before filling it with treasures, pick a keepsake box that will stand the test of time. Consider:
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Size: Big enough to fit a variety of items but small enough to tuck away safely - something longer than it is tall is ideal, to fit in a cupboard or under a bed
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Material: Wooden boxes are ideal, being both durable and timeless
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A personal touch: A monogram or name can make it feel extra special
Some parents prefer DIY boxes to add a sentimental touch, while others love heirloom-style wooden chests that can be passed down for generations. Either way, the box should feel like the safe home for all your baby’s first-year memories.
What to put in your baby’s keepsake box
Here’s where the fun begins! Think of your keepsake box as a curated gallery of your baby’s firsts. Break it into categories for easier organisation:
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Milestone items: baby’s first outfit or swaddle from the hospital, baby’s first shoes or booties, their hospital bracelet or birth announcement card
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Memorable firsts: First curl of hair from their first hair cut, their first lost tooth, the first drawing or scribble just for you
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Gifts: Cards from family and friends from baby showers, birthdays or baptisms are all wonderful to keep, alongside tiny gifted items (e.g. jewellery)
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Other firsts: Their first birthday candle, first swimsuit - even their first Christmas decoration!
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Photos and prints: Ultrasound pictures, first professional photos or milestone pictures, handprints and footprints captured with paint or plaster
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Letters and notes: Letters to your baby from you, your partner, or from other family members that you’d love your baby to read as an adult.
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Diary: A “first-year diary” of funny moments, milestones, or little quirks that you want to record.
As your baby grows, there may be phases you want to capture - so many in fact, that it might be too tricky to house items from every phase. If your keepsake box isn’t big enough to store bigger items - for example, their first pair of school shoes or a cherished soft toy, a photo of each item is a great way to commemorate your baby’s love and chart their growth into toddlerhood, childhood and beyond.
Organising & maintaining your keepsake box
Some tips and tricks for organising your baby’s keepsake box:
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Label items: Date everything to add context for years down the line - you may think you’ll remember, but the days are long and the years are short (so get labelling!)
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Protect delicate items: Wrap in natural fabric or acid-free tissue to protect anything from deterioration over time, or if something is fragile, wrap and mark appropriately
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Store carefully: Keep it in a cool, dry place to avoid damage and away from light, in case of yellowing
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Invite family to contribute: Grandparents, siblings, or godparents may have meaningful items to add (which makes it even more special)
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Finally - avoid items that could deteriorate or even become mouldy over time, like dried flowers
Just get started
It can be tempting to put off making a keepsake box until you have enough to fill it - but the longer you put it off, the likelier it’ll be that things get missed, forgotten or lost. So don’t let any need for perfection get in the way - no item is too small, and no memory is too insignificant. That tiny sock, that first scribble, that hospital bracelet - they all tell the story of your baby’s first year. By starting a keepsake box, you’re not just storing objects; you’re capturing the most magical, joyous and incredible journeys of all.