Ever make a time capsule?

[MagicalMom]

I would like to make one & hide it in the attic when we move into our new home. Then after 30 years, when our home is paid off (becuase I refuse to ever move again!) we can open it. I think it's such a neat idea, but the kids looked at me like I was crazy!

So, I'll just do it anyways. I'm hoping to have each kids (4, 10 & 14) write a little note about what they think life will be like in 30 years. Their likes, dislikes, favorite foods, etc. I also want to include some items, maybe pictures of the family, Disney brochure, newspaper. Any other ideas?

Have you made one? What did you put in it?

 

[teacherforhi]

I do a small version each school year. I take pictures of my students. They makes lists of their favorites...color, TV show, movie, etc. They put them in Pringles cans.

At the end of the year we open the cans.

 

[MagicalMom]

That sounds like a cute idea. I'm not sure what kind of container we are going to use yet. I want something that will hold up well.

 

[Cruisin]

We made time capsules of a different sort.

When we were putting new carpet in the house, I let the kids write on the subflooring of their bedrooms and the livingroom.

Honestly I don't even remember what we put on there but if we ever get new carpeting (or whoever next does) we will find them back.

We just put in a new kitchen and I put pictures of the old kitchen and info on the price, contractor, flooring etc in a ziploc bag and had it stapled behind the new cabinets. Neat for someone to find 30 years or so down the road.

I thought of making some sort of time capsule when we redid the bathroom and putting it under the tub but never got it done.

 

[MagicalMom]

We made time capsules of a different sort.

When we were putting new carpet in the house, I let the kids write on the subflooring of their bedrooms and the livingroom.

Honestly I don't even remember what we put on there but if we ever get new carpeting (or whoever next does) we will find them back.

We just put in a new kitchen and I put pictures of the old kitchen and info on the price, contractor, flooring etc in a ziploc bag and had it stapled behind the new cabinets. Neat for someone to find 30 years or so down the road.

I thought of making some sort of time capsule when we redid the bathroom and putting it under the tub but never got it done.

That will be so nice for someone to come accross in the future. I'd love to do the same but we are building a tract home & I'm not sure if they would allow things like that.

 

[RangerPooh]

Similar to what a previous posted did, when DH and I were building our house we wrote messages to eachother thoughout it. On the housing foundation (rim where the cement and flooring meet), on the subfloor, on the interior studs, and in the casing above the front door we each placed an old shoe (an irish tradition for good luck). I know that there are a few other things but I can't recall what they are. I did draw a few Mickey heads on the studs though

As for the time capsul, I had an 8th grade teacher who had us write a letter to ourselves taling about our music interests, books enjoyed, where we saw ourselves, and what we enjoyed doing and with who. The letters were then stamped and addressed to ourselves to be sent after graduating from highschool. It was interesting to read the letter years later. Maybe you could do something like that.

Other ideas:
a tv guide to show the shows that you watched
a new coin, your states quarter
pictures of your house and family at the time of burial
a cd of music
an old cellphone (to show what we have today to compare with the future)

A suggestion for packaging:
Try an old ammo can (avail at army surplus stores) and place all the goods inside two zipplic storage bags. Then place a garbage bag over the can. This might work. ALso try a search for time capsul preservation to see what others have done.

 

[barkley]

another good container would be one of those big popcorn tins.

i like the idea of the letters "to my future self"-i know someone whose 3rd grade teacher did it and she got the letter the week she graduated high school very amusing to read.

i think a t.v. guide, local newspaper, a copy of the wall street journal (or anything else that will show stock values), maybe some empty containers from foods the kids like (pop rocks bags, chips bags, the front of the cereal they love), a grocery ad would be great (love to see how the prices have changed), classifieds to see the difference in house prices, a photo of the family in front of something not likely to ever go away, but will show the kids growth over those 30 years (in front of the garage, sitting on the front porch, in front of a young tree), a lock of hair (some may have much less in 30 years ), the family pet's tags (get a new set to use-the old ones will bring back a flood of memories), and just for fun-buy a few new items (inexpensive) and see if they're "worth in mint condition- a million dollars, 30 years from now!" (a sponge bob barbie doll, an over the hedge pillow case, a dvd (will we even be using them then????)...)-if nothing else it will be a hoot to be able to pass them on to the grand (or maybe great grand) kids.

sounds like fun-i think we'll do the same when we buy again.

 

[MagicalMom]

Thanks for all of the great ideas! I really like the popcorn tin idea. I'll have to find some interesting newer items the next time I'm out shopping. You never know, it could be worth something someday.

 

[Tiziminchac]

Ever make a time capsule?

I tired once, but it didn't work. It was pretty fancy too. I had a little portal for viewing and even put carpet inside. I was in there for like five minutes, when I got out it was only five minutes after I went in! I think my mistake was using partical board instead of regular plywood. What was I thinking?

 

[MagicalMom]

I tired once, but it didn't work. It was pretty fancy too. I had a little portal for viewing and even put carpet inside. I was in there for like five minutes, when I got out it was only five minutes after I went in! I think my mistake was using partical board instead of regular plywood. What was I thinking?

But you didn't read the instructions did you?

 

[Tiziminchac]

But you didn't read the instructions did you?

No way! I'm a guy, we don't ask directions. We just pop out, buy our lottery tickets and pop back in!

 

[Griggle]

another good container would be one of those big popcorn tins.

Exactly what I used when I made Time Capsules for my kids when they were born.

I put one of those little real estate magazines in there and every once in a while I take a peak (yes, I know that's cheating) just to laugh at the prices.

The only other thing I can think to add is to take a picture of every room in the house right now....I'm sure you'll have re-decorated at least once or twice by the time you open it up!

 

[ilovepcot]

We made a time capsule to be found in our home. Major remodeling and additions have been done to our home over the decades and we did some major renovations ourselves. DH found an old cigarette pack from the late 20's when he moved a wall and he's found a few tools and nails that aren't in use any longer.

We decided to hide a few things behind a wall we installed for future homeowners to (hopefully) find. Included was a picture of the house when it was first built in the 20's, a current newspaper and a letter telling who we are and a few things about ourselves and the changes we've made to the house. We didn't bother with a capsule of any kind...just simply placed items on a small shelf behind the wall.