Scrapbooking Ideas for Senior Citizens

Creating a scrapbook is an easy, enjoyable activity for all ages. There is no right or wrong way to create a scrapbook, and it's a great option for anyone less creatively inclined. Senior citizens can take special pleasure in such an activity, as it's an opportunity to celebrate their own personal youths and travels while incorporating the newer experiences of more recent generations.

Photo Arrangements

A common form of making a scrapbook is by creating an arrangement of photos. Photos can be arranged either chronologically or by special grouping such as family gatherings, birthdays, holidays or individuals. Stickers or handwritten captions can be added within the pages of the book to add personalization, and pages can even reflect different themes of color or style. Small photo embellishments can be purchased to preserve picture quality or add the illusion of a small frame.

Anecdotes

A less common but equally worthwhile idea for a scrapbook is to create different anecdotes and post them according to theme, style or chronology. This is an opportunity for a senior citizen to share less-publicized stories or memories. By handwriting the anecdotes onto specially designed paper and adhering them to the pages of a scrapbook, it creates a highly personal reflection of life and family. Photos as well as small stickers can be used as embellishments.

Gathered Materials

Creating a scrapbook of personal items and materials gives a senior citizen the opportunity to display treasured belongings while simultaneously reflecting on past stories and memories. A larger scrapbook with heavy-duty paper is suggested here in order to best accommodate thicker, weighted items. Things to include could be pressed flowers, ticket stubs, birth announcements or theater guides. Handwriting explanations or captions for each item adds a special, personal touch.

Joint Effort

Making a scrapbook does not have to be a solo effort; by including other members of the family such as siblings, children and grandchildren, a scrapbook can be a large compilation of pages that are meaningful to an entire family. One person can be assigned a page on which he can add anything he wishes, or the family can generate scrapbook pages together by choosing pictures, items and captions. Either way, this scrapbook provides the opportunity to reminisce, reflect and celebrate.