Keepsake Boxes │ Memento Boxes

Treasure boxes

A great way to keep all your treasured possessions and mementoes safe and in one place is to use keepsake boxes. A keepsake box can be any size (but is usually portable) and many people possess more than one of them. The box can be constructed of any material such as plastic, ceramic, glass or solid wood as pictured. For private possessions, such as a diary or jewelry the box can have the added security of a lock and key.

Keepsake boxes are not just regular storage boxes because we often keep our most valued possessions in them. The contents or treasures of a keepsake box are rarely thrown away and are usually kept for a lifetime. I keep small passport sized photographs of my family in one box alongside a number of special rare silver coins and medals given to me by my Pop.

Keepsake items are usually small and can be handed down from parents to children. Some keepsakes are given as marks of friendship between long standing friends. Other items for inclusion in the box would be ‘found’ objects such as an unusual seashell or colored stone. The items connect one with memories of places, things and more importantly still, the people who matter the most to you.

Cost of keepsake boxes

Some of the fancier memento boxes on sale now can contain a photograph in the lid section or have a musical element when you open it and others can be personalized with engraved names, poems, songs, or messages. These are available for approximately $20 to £30 but you could pay much more depending on what you desire. Older, used boxes can be bought at auction or in yard sales and it is possible to acquire an antique keepsake box that will be of greater monetary value than the objects stored within it.

Gift boxes
Keepsakes boxes can be given as presents or gifts, in themselves, but it is usual to ‘hansel’ the gift by adding a small token, gem or coin. Hanseling gifts such as keepsake boxes, money boxes, purses and wallets is an old, but very important tradition. Hanseled gifts are considered charms and are believed to bring good luck to the new owner. Keepsake boxes make for great Christmas gifts, but do remember to place a memento, coin or hanseled item inside the gift.

Because the box is expected to last a lifetime it should be chosen with that in mind. It is unlikely however, that it will be subjected to major wear and tear but a sturdy robust box is a good purchase decision nonetheless. A handcrafted natural wood box makes a great keepsake present and is less fragile that its glass or ceramic equivalent. Whatever box you choose for your precious keepsakes it is sure to provide you with a veritable treasure throve of reminiscences that you can be revisited whenever you wish.

Despite the title it is the Mom and Pop who treasure the baby boxes. These are popular because they allow parents a dedicated place to store the precious memories and mementos of parenthood (and childhood). First tooth and hair curls can be kept as well as the usual tiny silver spoon set or even baby’s first crockery plate. Some of the boxes are elaborate, featuring drawers, secret compartments, china dolls and ceramic baby booties but expect to pay for this exquisiteness.