Make a 2020 Time Capsule

While I was visiting my mom over the winter break, she had me go through old boxes of mine in the garage that had not been touched since my college days. I had a wonderful trip down memory lane as I rediscovered photos, letters from friends, party invitations and former class assignments. Even the tiniest, seemingly insignificant jotting on a piece of paper held sentimental value. If only I had kept mementos from every period of my life.

As the decade of the 2020s begins, I thought it would be as good a time as any to start a tradition of creating time capsules — boxes filled with reminders of the past year. This would be a great activity for young and old alike, and you can fill your capsule with whatever is important to you. Include a CD of your favorite songs, a journal or appointment book, ticket stubs, greeting cards, boarding passes, newspaper clippings or even pay stubs. A nifty idea would be to write a letter to your future self, sharing your hopes for the years to come.

What you’ll need:
Cookie tin
Mementos
Duct tape
Marker

1. A cookie tin is an ideal container for your time capsule, as it is much sturdier than a cardboard box. (This project is a great excuse to eat cookies so you can get the tin.)

2. Fill the tin with all the mementos you wish.

3. Seal the lid shut with duct tape so you aren’t tempted to peek in through the years.

4. With a marker, write down the current year and the date you want to open the time capsule.

Jonathan Fong is the author of “Flowers That Wow” and “Parties That Wow,” and host of “Style With a Smile” on YouTube. You can see more of his do-it-yourself projects at jonathanfongstyle.com.