The best sentimental gifts for any occasion—at any price
While milestone birthdays and anniversaries are popular times to gift personal history services and tribute books, I’m all about “just because” gifts for those we love. I see (far too often) folks who wait too long to gather stories from a family elder, so don’t wait until their next “big” occasion—consider presenting them with a gift you think they’ll love just because you love them.
Below I’ve gathered some of my favorite memory-keeping gifts. Yes, a few of them are available through my business, Modern Heirloom Books, but most are from makers and vendors I respect (and support myself). I just know you’ll find something to cherish.
(Side note: Consider gifting yourself one of these items the next time you get a generic gift card…you’re here for a reason 😉)
Here’s what’s on our gift list—click which you’re interested in to go right to it (there are options at varying price points for each!):
Heirloom keepsake trunk
A trunk designed specifically for storing keepsakes is a unique gift for anyone, but especially a new parent or newlywed couple. Opt for a small one for keeping items such as trinkets, baby jewelry, postcards, pressed flowers, tickets, and the like; or go grand with a full-size trunk that will allow for larger nostalgic items including bridal adornments, baby loveys, framed photographs, and memory books.
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Petite Keep’s heirloom-quality keepsake trunks are beautifully detailed and customized with embroidered fabric linings. The handcrafted items are both functional and sweet, making for a gift destined to be treasured for generations. Trunks currently range in price from $225 up to $760 for a three-trunk bundle.
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There are plenty of trunks available for between $50 to $300 that can be tailored to your needs: Add silk linings to these decorative nesting wood boxes, for instance, or include an engraved heart-shaped lock with these larger pastel-colored metal trunks that look like treasures already.
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Whether you are an avid antique shopper, a decoupage doyen, or a woodworking whiz, there are things you can do to turn a regular old box into a special memory-keeping gift: Add a personalized touch with a hand-lettered dedication, a vintage heart-shaped lock, a handmade blanket to line the trunk’s interior, or some other truly personal detail. And make sure to share the intention behind your gift in your card or gift tag, letting them know it’s a place to keep memories safe!
Blank writing journal
Whether your gift recipient is a longtime daily diarist or wants to carry a notebook as an idea receptacle for their memoir, you can never go wrong with a blank journal that suits their aesthetic.
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Okay, I admit: I covet one of these for myself! The craftsperson behind Iona Handcrafted Books, a small bookbinding studio in Seattle, uses centuries-old techniques, traditional Italian design, and the finest archival, acid-free papers to create gloriously exquisite journals “to fuel your heart with inspiration.” The unique hardware on many of the books is a hallmark. Prices currently range from $110 to $820. (I have a very similar, small leather book I purchased from an artisan in Florence, Italy, that I use as a commonplace book, and I must tell you: Writing in it feels like a sacred act.)
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Our own “Write Your Life” notebook is a dedicated space for your personal writing. Whether you use this notebook as an everyday journal or as a place to draft your memoir, you’ll love the compact design and sewn binding (it lays flat for easy writing!). The product features 80 lined, cream-colored pages, a built-in elastic closure, and a matching ribbon page marker. Plus, the expandable inner pocket is perfect for storing loose notes, so you’ll always have inspiration at your fingertips. If you prefer a notebook for jotting down ideas willy-nilly, check out our blue journal with a fun cover design, too.
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Prefer to hand-make something for your gift recipient and infuse it with your love? There are tons of how-to videos online, from the utterly simple to the more artistic; and you may be able to find classes at your local adult education spot or library. If you are in New York City, The Center for Book Arts often has bookbinding and even paper making among their class offerings.
Stories of their stuff
The heirloom trunk idea above allows for the physical gathering of heirlooms—but what about the stories behind those heirlooms? I would argue it’s the stories that will resonate with future generations even more than the stuff, so empowering your gift recipient to easily and intentionally preserve the meaning of their heirloom collections is about as thoughtful a gift as you can give!
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What could be more splurge-worthy than a custom photograph commissioned from Shana Novak, aka The Heirloomist? I can vouch for her talent (she photographed an entire media library for an early client) as well as her dedication to personal storytelling. She’ll deliver white-glove service from start to finish, ensuring your loved one’s precious heirloom is handled with care. Check out her Instagram feed for some ideas of what types of heirlooms she photographs (everything from a single matchbook to a collection of basketball jerseys), or gift a copy of her recent book, The Heirloomist: 100 Treasures and the Stories They Tell, along with a promise of her services (starting at $750), for guaranteed inspiration!
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Even the most reluctant family historian won’t be able to resist recording the stories of their treasures with this stunning stationery kit from Hannah Bergen Heirlooms. The hinged case opens to reveal everything they’ll need to preserve their heirloom stories, including tags for labeling their artwork and heirlooms, archival-quality glassine pouches, a “book of provenance” with perforated pages, and a vellum cover page with helpful hints. At the time of this writing, kit costs $120.
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Check out this guide that walks you through how to capture the stories behind your family heirlooms, from creating an inventory of items to recording their provenance, from photographing them to generating a catalog for easy reference. Not only will the article give you ideas for helping your loved one walk through a project, but it may also inspire you to do the same!
Family history storytelling
For the genealogy buff in your circle, consider supporting their hobby with one of these options to help them unearth ancestors, find their stories, and organize all that research!
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Get them a gift certificate to a professional genealogist to research their family tree; ask the genealogist to help “find the stories” and put an emphasis on going deep where they can through newspapers, land records, and other documents that add context and engaging narrative to the names and dates on the tree. Find a qualified pro at the Association of Professional Genealogists (some specialize in a certain geographic region, family line specialty, or complex research areas like adoption or military records, so choose wisely). You are probably looking at an investment of $500 and up.
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Family Tree Notebooks makes organizing family history a lot easier with handsomely designed digital worksheets to download, customize, and print—so if you want to help your gift recipient get their ancestry research organized and build family history books in an approachable way, this is a great option. Consider their starter pack (currently about $80), or select individual pages if you know your loved one’s needs. (There are even templates in Polish.)
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Maybe you’ve interviewed your parents or just know in your heart what a connecting endeavor that would be: If you’d like to encourage your gift recipient to interview one of THEIR loved ones (maybe even you?!), download and print one of our guides to present to them: There’s the reliable standby, 56 Essential Family History Questions (free), or The Kid Kit: All You Need to Interview Your Grandparents ($5). Wrap it up with some other nostalgic items such as a framed old photo or a handmade scrapbook, and you’re golden.
Family cookbook & recipe preservation
Is food your gift recipient’s love language? Here are some delicious options to help them preserve and pass on their cherished food traditions.
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Consider giving them a custom cookbook from award-winning photographer Sarah Yeoman, founder of Savor Custom Cookbooks (she’s based in Portland, Washington, but travels for sessions): She’ll guide them on the path to preserving their cherished recipes and conduct a professional lifestyle shoot right in their home kitchen. Packages start at $3,500. (Want to make the gift even MORE special? Consider hiring a personal historian—inquire here—to add a storytelling component to your book; Sarah and I are happy to work together to create their dream cookbook!)
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A recipe journal is a great way to ensure all those handwritten recipes are kept in one place. I love the selection from Papier, which includes hardcover books with retro, modern, and personalized covers as well as more casual spiral-bound recipe books. Prices range from $32 to $40, so you can gift each member of your family with a soon-to-be-complete cookbook in whatever style suits them.
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Print our free guide Preserving Your Food Memories (in addition to tips for how to get started gathering recipes and images for their food heritage project, it includes 38 food-themed family history questions to use as conversation starters or writing prompts), and box it up with some tasty treats for a gift they will savor. Find even more help in Sarah Yeoman’s free guide that’s also packed with tips on how to document your family food traditions.
Memoir help
Perhaps your gift recipient is famed within your family for regaling the group with story upon story at gatherings. Or maybe they’re the quiet type who you just know has a font of wisdom and experiences they’d be willing to share, if only asked. Either way, inviting someone’s stories is one of the best gifts you can give—I promise. No need for a milestone birthday or other special occasion: This is a gift worthy of giving “just because” ❤️
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How about a professional personal historian to guide them on their storytelling or memoir journey? As my grandfather used to say, “If I had a nickel for every time” an interview subject told me that being given an opportunity to share their stories was the best gift they had ever received, “I would be rich.” When I am interviewing a personal history client, I am a curious and captivated audience. Our time is uninterrupted. They are the star. The space I hold for them is sacred. Wouldn’t you like to bestow THAT gift on your loved one? All projects are custom, but Modern Heirloom Books derived from one-on-one interviews start at $2,000; typical projects are closer to $20,000. Set up a free consultation to explore the possibilities.
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If a personal history project is out of reach, our Write Your Life annual subscription may be just the ticket. Recipients should be motivated writers (read this piece for who the gift is NOT right for!): Each week they will receive an email with a printable page of memory and writing prompts, supportive tips, and a dose of inspiration. At the end of the year, they’ll have a book’s worth of stories they have written themselves, plus guidance on how to edit and turn their narrative into something even more special. Priced at just $132, it’s a gift that says, “I appreciate you” ❤️
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For those who may not have yet considered writing about their life—but who you know in your heart it would be perfect for—why not simply plant the seed? Beyond the idea that they should write their memoir, you can share links or print-outs of free guides such as How to Use Photos as Prompts for Writing Life Stories and Writing Prompts for Life Story Vignettes. Wrap them up with a journal, a nice pen, and a framed family photo for a distinct gift.
Custom wall art
The things we gather hold their share of stories, too. Here are three fun options for gifting wallhangings that turn the spotlight on your gift recipient’s collections or interests:
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At Ideal Bookshelf, illustrator Jane Mount will design a fully custom art print of your (or your loved one’s) favorite books—and whose personal library doesn’t hold clues to their passions and life? Pictured is a print I bought and framed myself a number of years ago, but you can choose to order a matted and framed print as a gift, too. Prices currently range from $105 to $570.
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Help your gift recipient take a trip back to their favorite places and precious memories with a custom map-inspired wallhanging. A designer will collaborate with them and use vintage maps to help tell their story through places that represent their life’s journey. There are a variety of designs to choose from (my favorites are the Journey Map, pictured, and the Milestones Map). Prices currently range from $59 to $205.
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I rarely save (or honestly, even remember) the keepsakes given out at weddings, but one family member’s unique gift to their guests still sits on my living room bookshelf: hand-cut silhouette portraits of my husband and me. I do not know the name of the artist who created these mementos on that wedding day, but there are talented paper artists across the country. One whose work speaks to me is New York–based Elle Yi, who creates solo portraits and family silhouettes (pets, too!); prices currently range from $80 to $150.
Books
I cannot in good conscience run a company called Modern Heirloom Books and not include a few books on this gift guide! Here are three ideas worthy of wrapping up for those you love:
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The One-Hour Heirloom from Modern Heirloom Books is a wonderfully giftable entry-level personal history book: We’ll turn a 90-minute interview and up to 50 photos into an heirloom book they’ll be proud to display on their coffee table and pass on to the next generation. Choose a chapter of life that was especially meaningful or memorable (their military years, for instance, or becoming a parent), talk about it during a one-on-one interview, discover photos with our expert guidance, and preserve it all in a bespoke book; $2,000.
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Help anyone write about their life (or just enjoy a captivating read!) with Yours Truly by James R. Hagerty. In a review upon the book’s release, I wrote: “You may be surprised that a book with ‘obituary’ in the subtitle is infused with humor, but make no mistake, this is a book about honoring life in all its weird and wonderful glory—not only a great read, but a model to write your own.” (Citadel Press, 2022; list price $21.25.)
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Even the most avid memory-keeping DIY-ers appreciate some guidance, and these two affordable e-books are chock-full of tips, resources, and inspiration:
Sharing Our Stories: Good Questions and Resources for Every Project by video biographer Whitney Myers (list price $12.99, currently discounted to $7.99).
The Kid Kit: Everything You Need to Interview Your Grandparents by Dawn Roode ($5).
This gift guide was originally posted on February 10, 2025; all links and prices are accurate at time of publishing.