November Newsletter

Issue 3

November 2000

Time capsules are a fun way to celebrate the New Year or can be made anytime as a fun way to preserve your family memories!

The first time capsules were found in temples in Egypt and Babylon. Those ancient time capsules were filed with small statues and scrolls as was their custom. Some modern day religious temples still practice this tradition of placing items of significance in the corner stone of the building.

You can make your own time-capsule as a fun new year activity for your family or as a party favor for guests.

MAKING A TIME CAPSULE
There are many different items that can be used as the housing for your time-capsule. As long as the capsule is made out of a non-biodegradable material like plastic, metal or heavy duty rubbers. You can purchase small square banks that have a combination lock at office supply stores or use kitchen food storage containers with a lid.

If the time capsule is for children you can make it out of large plastic Easter eggs and use silicone caulking to seal the two sides together after it is filled. Kids would also enjoy making a capsule out of the plastic boxes watches come packaged in.

TIME CAPSULE ITEMS
When deciding what to put in your time capsule think of interesting topics that were of significance in the past year. You could include headlines clipped from a newspaper or magazine. Remember to think of both local and world events as well. Include items of social and scientific interest as well as objects of everyday life like photographs of your car, postage stamp or grocery store receipt so you can compare the price of gas or milk.

Backup your computer and add the CD to your time-capsule. If you store your recipes on the computer you may want to print out your favorites and include those as well.

If you are a scrapbooker, it would be fun to copy a few of your favorite family pages and add them to your time capsule. You can purchase plastic file folders that have a top clasp that folds over so your pages and other memorabilia can lie flat.

Children would enjoy cutting pictures out of a magazine showing the hottest toy of that year or the latest fashion trend. Just as we look back at the popularity of Cabbage Patch Kids, Tickle Me Elmo, Beanie Babies, Pokemon or Scooters, these are items that are sure to be left behind in a few years and will be fun to remember when the capsule is opened.

Include ticket stubs from a special trip sporting event or theatrical play. Add the oldest coin you can find and a current coin from this year. This is a good time to add the latest State quarter that is available. Make a recording of your favorite singing group or pictures of your friends.

All ages would enjoy writing a letter to the future and tell the people what life is like for you now. Be sure and include your favorite family traditions, your worries and your joys too!

OPENING YOUR CAPSULE
The family will enjoy making a treasure map of where the time-capsule is buried so you can remember where to find it again. Hide the map in the back of a picture frame holding a family photograph.

Let the family decide when you want to open the time-capsule and look forward to sharing the memories of how much your family has grown and how the world has changed.

Quality not Quantity - A Toy Buying Guide

Retailers have provided parents with a wide variety of choices available when it comes to purchasing toys for our children. It can often be confusing to know which toys parents should buy. Good toys should meet several criteria.

AGE APPROPRIATE
First, toys should be age appropriate. Focus on what your child needs to develop both physically and emotionally and look for toys that can help them grow in those areas. For example, a baby needs toys that can help him learn to reach and grasp learning hand/eye coordination and stimulation. While toddlers that can walk need toys they can pack around with them as they explore their surroundings.

SAFE
Avoid toys with small pieces that could be lost or swallowed. Toys need to be sturdy as well. Toys that break easily can be a unexpected safety hazard. Look at toys from a Childs point of view and anticipate how rough they might be on it. You should ask yourself what part could break first and why? According to the National Safety Council, well over 6 million children are injured each year by accidents involving children's toys and other products.

STIMULATE CREATIVITY
Look for toys that will not stifle a Childs imagination. Often mechanical toys are entertaining but take away a Childs chance to participate. Avoid toys that will not teach or develop skills. The best toys let a child think or perform.

CHEAP IMITATION
If you child has an interest in a hobby, avoid buying a cheap imitation of the real thing it is still a toy. Whenever possible save up money to buy the real thing. For example, will your child get more use out of a real sewing machine instead of the play one they want? Would money be better spent on your budding artist by purchasing real beginning artist's brushes rather than a cheap watercolor set with hard to control blunt brushes. Often a bad purchase can discourage newly found talents when a child gets frustrated with the end result the product created.

QUALITY NOT QUANTITY
Children can become overwhelmed at gift-giving occasions to the point that they don't know what to play with or can't concentrate on one toy long enough to let their creativity bloom. It may not be due to the wrong kind of toys, but rather, to many toys! Long term exposure to excessive gifts
can actually be harmful to children. As they grow older they could be learning that "things" and spending money is the only important things worth seeking in life. If being given everything they want is normal for children they don't learn the value of earning or work ethics.

Giving our children gifts is not a bad thing but when choosing appropriate toys remember the old saying buy "quality not quantity".

Author Rachel Webb designs write-on/wipe-off magnetic fridge calendars. A wonderful gift idea for busy moms! E-Mail Rachel@Note-Ables.com and ask how you can get a $2.00 off coupon. http://www.Note-Ables.com