Creating a scrapbook with lifelong memories is a wonderful gift. It can be done the traditional way or by using some of today's technology.
It will take some time to put together so you should not wait until the last minute to get started.
Items you will need:
* Scrapbook - They come in all shapes and sizes. Make sure the one you choose is big enough and has enough pages to accomplish your goal.
* Pictures, newspaper articles, travel brochures, etc. (anything you can get your hands on that was a special occasion.) If the scrapbook is for an older couple with kids and grandkids have each family make a page for it.
* Glue sticks
* Scissors - Just regular scissors or ones with fancy edges if you are feeling creative.
* Decorative paper - This can be used to place the pictures on.
* Stamps - Any type of stamp that has something to do with the pictures you are using will do.
Once you have everything you need get organized. Put everything that belongs together in a ziploc bag and label it. For example, if your parents went on a cruise put the pictures and any other memorabilia from that cruise in the ziploc. Label the bag with the date and place they went. Write down some information about the trip and pictures and place that in the bag. This way when you get to that page you have everything you need. Now place your bags in chronological order. Double check to make sure you have all of the events you want to go in the scrapbook. Once you get started it will be difficult to change or add pages.
To make things simple you can stick with the same theme throughout the book. Hearts or flowers can decorate each page. You can alternate by using stamps, decorative paper backgrounds and simply drawing and coloring your own. Another option is to decorate each page according to the event. If you are going to do this you may want to try and complete an event a day. This way you don't get too overwhelmed, especially if this is your first project.
Before you stick anything permanently to the page create the layout. Set everything in its place and see how it looks. You may need to move things around once you see how it looks on paper.
If you are gluing items like pictures and memorabilia make sure the page is dry before you close the book or lay other pages on top of it. The last thing you want to have is a bunch of pages stuck together.
Write a note in the back to the people you are making the scrapbook for. If possible have everyone involved sign the page.
An Alternative
Take all of the things you have gathered and make a video scrapbook. This will also take some time but it would be well worth it. Scan all of the memorabilia and add music and script. This can be done with a simple power point program. Burn the scrapbook to a CD and make copies for all to enjoy.
