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The Family Time Capsule Bauble
Start a family time capsule bauble tradition by saving everyone’s predictions inside a Christmas ornament, ready to open and enjoy together the following year.
CHRISTMAS
10/3/20263 min read
The Family Time Capsule Bauble
What do you think your family will be doing this time next year? What will the kids be interested in, and which little adventures might be ahead?
A family time capsule bauble turns those guesses into a simple Christmas tradition. Everyone writes a prediction, rolls it into a tiny scroll and places it inside a fillable ornament. The bauble stays closed until the following Christmas, when you open it together and discover what came true - and what was wonderfully wide of the mark!
There’s very little mess, it only takes around 10–15 minutes, and you can reuse the same ornament each year. Over time, those little notes become a lovely record of your family’s changing interests, hopes and sense of humour.
Best Ages: All ages, with an adult helping younger children
Time Needed: 10–15 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Repeats Yearly? Yes - reuse the same ornament every Christmas
What You Need
One reusable fillable ornament that opens easily; a plastic one is a practical choice when children are involved
Small strips of paper, cut beforehand
Pens or coloured pencils
A little ribbon or twine to tie the paper into scrolls, if you like
An envelope to keep the predictions after you’ve read them
How To
1. Choose a time to do it each year.
You might make this part of decorating the tree, Christmas Eve or a quiet moment on Christmas Day. Choose whatever fits your family so the bauble becomes a familiar part of your celebrations.
2. Pick a question for everyone to answer.
Using the same question each year makes it fun to look back and compare. Try:
“What is one thing you think will happen in our family next year?”
“What do you think you’ll love doing by next Christmas?”
“What is something new you think someone in our family will try?”
Keep predictions light-hearted and kind - there’s no need for anyone to feel put on the spot.
3. Write your new predictions before opening the old ones.
Give everyone a strip of paper and ask them to add their name, the year and their answer. Younger children can draw their prediction or tell an adult what to write. Keep the notes short enough to fit comfortably inside the ornament.
4. Read last year’s predictions together.
If this is your first year, skip this step - you’re creating the surprise for next Christmas! In later years, open the bauble and take turns reading the old notes aloud. Enjoy the accurate guesses, the unexpected changes and the predictions nobody remembers making.
5. Fill the bauble for the year ahead.
Set the old notes aside, then roll up the new predictions and tie them loosely with ribbon or twine if you wish. Place them inside the ornament and close it securely. Add a small tag saying “Open Christmas [next year]” so everyone knows when the surprise is due.
6. Hang it, then pack it away with your decorations.
Enjoy the bauble on your tree, then store it in a protective box with your other Christmas decorations. That way, it will naturally appear again next December.
♥ Kim’s Tip
Keep the predictions you’ve already read in an envelope labelled with the year, tucked inside the bauble’s storage box. After a few Christmases, you’ll have a collection of little family memories - and those childhood guesses and drawings may be just as precious as the predictions that came true.
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This post is part of my Christmas Activity Hub - packed with ideas for making Christmas memories.
With love, Kim xx
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