Hi, I’m Heather Lynne! I have a blog called Raising Memories where I share my photogaphy and a bunch of the fun things I do with my two cute little daughters. You should come check us out! I love the blogging world of sharing ideas and experiences and I’m totally excited to be invited here, to share an idea with you! (Yes, the word ‘share’ appeared 3 times there… I like to share 
Most of the ideas on my blog focus on activities to do with your children, but I thought today I’d post about a gift idea for significant others. For whatever reason, I find it incredibly challenging to come up with a good gift for my husband. I know I’m not alone in this, so here I am to share one idea that I came up with that has been great for me- and it’s a gift that keeps on giving! (sweet!)
Here’s what you do:
1. Search the stores for the most masculine journal/notebook you can find
(I found this small brown leather book with a lot of pages).
2. Write your first love note. It can be the same sort of note you might write in a card or something a little more lengthy.
3. Give him the book as a gift, and explain that the pages will be filled (by you) over time.
4. Every time you notice something great that you love about your husband, get out the book and write a dated note to him. Don’t tell him when you’ve written them. Just let him find them next time he looks in the book.
5. Next time there’s a special occasion, instead of buying him a card, just get out the book and write in that instead. If there are past notes in there that he hasn’t seen yet, he’ll see them when he re-receives the book for that occasion.
Bonus: No more cards from random occasions to stash in a shoebox somewhere or add more clutter to your home. All of your meaningful notes will be contained in one small and accessible place- yay!
If you love shopping online, check Etsy out- I’ve found some really neat masculine journals there. A couple of shops to get you started are:
Karleigh Jae (love the little black chunky book)
and Melissa and Zoe (their notebook with custom photo would be great with a photo of the two of you in it).
I’ve also started something like this for each of my daughters. They look way more girly and include monthly letters for the first year of their life and then random letters after that, whenever I find time or feel inspired. They also include notes about the hilarious things they say and do. There has already been a post on this blog by Mariel, with lots of ideas for letters and memory books for your children, so while we’re in a love letter mood, check it out!
Mariel
@orsoshesays
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Great idea! I especially like the idea of no more greeting cards…I usually forget to buy them anyway.
This is a fantastic idea! A great way to connect w/ your loved ones. I really like the idea for kids as well; letters seem more personal then a journal. Thanks!
Oooo, I love that journal you found! I have a thing for leather journals too. That is an awesome idea – I’m totally doing it. Lucky kids to have books in the works! I use a baby calendar to write down their milestones and anecdotes during the first year, but a book of letters for them would be even better! (Perhaps especially for me when the 3-year-old is on my last nerve – I could remember how I felt about him as a baby)
Thanks for the wonderful idea! I can’t wait to start one for everyone in my family!
Oh I love this idea. I already got my husband a journal for him to right in, but alas he hardly does. I never thought about me writing in it for him. Genius!
Oh gross. Did I just say right instead of write?
My husband and I work opposite schedules, so we only see each other on Saturdays and Sunday mornings. As soon as this happened be began writing quick note to each other about what we did during the day, what was going on, etc. We kept all of the note, put them in a book, and now we write daily notes to each other in a single book, and the letters are priceless to me. The book is our love letter/journal/to do in one.
Wow, this is an awesome idea Heather! Thank you for sharing.
I know my boyfriend isn’t a big fan of cards, but I love them, so I feel bad not getting him one. This could be a good compromise.
And I love the idea of doing this for each of your children. Kind of an extension of their baby book.
LOVe this idea!
We have one of these, and he can write in response, then we pass it back and forth. I love it.
If he does leave a note or card, I just staple it in.
I have one for each of my kids, too.
I love this idea! Thanks so much for sharing it with us
Mariel
I love that idea, Heather!! What an awesome gift!!!
Hey Heather, I love this idea! I love the idea for kids, I’m definitely going to get a journal for when our babe arrives.
I love this idea- my guy isn’t really gushy, so I think the fact he could do it in a more private way would be great! Thanks!
Love it as usual!
I am starting one, I think it is just what we need in our relationship right now… when we are up to our ears in tantrums and poopy diapers we sometimes forget about one another and I usually forget to say how much he means to me even though I think it muliple times a day.
i.love.this!
THANKS!
Heather! Awesome post. Love the idea. Just love it. Especially the thought of no more cards!
Such a romantic idea! Would it count if I asked him to make one for me too?? LOL!
What a great idea! Thanks for sharing!
I love this idea. I am going to do this for my husband.
haha Katie, I know! I have tried hinting to my husband!
Great IDEA!! I love it! And I am starting one today!!!
What a simple, powerful tradition!
I tried this once, with my daughter’s encouragement and it was so fun and connecting. I want that deeper intimacy with her, my other children AND my husband. I’m going to have to get organized and revisit this idea in my family. I want these kinds of special memories.
Thanks so much for giving us your unique view!
I’m glad you love my little black chunky book! And I love your idea, cards just get thrown away around here and it would be great to have something special like that in one book to treasure later.
That’s a great idea! Thank you for including my photo imbedded notebook in this post. It’s great to see all the different uses a blank notebook can have
I had just read the book “Wednesday Letters” when I was getting married last year. I loved the idea of writing letters to each other, so I got a composition notebook & started writing to my husband & he writes back to me. I love it. I have been decorating the cover with stickers from places we visit etc. Now I am starting one for our new baby.
It is great to be able to look back on those personal thoughts to each other.
great idea. might have to do this.
This is simply beautiful! Thank you for sharing such a great idea.