We can’t go back home as much as I’d like. So I found a way to make memories of that rare holiday last longer.

I had great hopes for our Christmas trip home, the first in five years. And it was fantastic. We made so many wonderful memories. It was the first time that both girls were old enough to really go around enjoying a variety of experiences.

We had a great time, the girls especially, and I wanted to bottle it all up forever. As soon as I could, I created a photo book* for them, with a selection of images from key points of the holidays to remind them of the special moments we had.

It now lives next to their books so they can see it every day, if they wish, and reminisce about the good times they had in Portugal. It’s a gentle reminder of things they did, saw and felt.

It’s a very cheap, long-lasting and useful souvenir, with the added value of bringing back vivid memories on a daily basis, that helps to connect back to family and culture back home. I got the cheapest as it was the first photo book I completed (I started many times before and quit halfway) and I was rushing at the time, so I didn’t want to pay for a fancy one and find out I had made lots of mistakes. So I got a small softcover book and I know that I can go back and edit and make it a nicer, or bigger, hard book cover.

I used Boots Photo* to create this photo book. I had a look at a couple of others at the time, but this was the first time I created a photo book, and the others just seemed a little complicated. I just wanted something simple for the girls. With the intended purpose as above. That was it! And I’m jolly happy with it.

Is this something you already do or are planning to do in the future? Let me know in the comments.

*This post includes affiliate links (marked with *). I only recommend products that I like. See disclaimer for details.