With the welcome of 2013 came an onslaught of resolutions and concerted efforts to be more grateful, more simple, more organic.  Everyone loves a fresh start, right?   We are really trying to pay off some significant debt this year (student loans, anyone?!) so I’m more determined than ever to stretch our pennies using freebies.  I’m taking advantage of this free download from Paper Coterie to make it into something that I can really use as a family activity and as gift ideas.

Visit the Paper Coterie blog to download your free Memory Jar labels.    They are colorful and thought-provoking.  Then print off a copy or two and check out the low-cost ideas I posted below!

• I’m going to glue these strips onto popsicle sticks.  Put them in a small cup or vase and you’ve got some instant conversation with the fam at dinner!
• Fill up a $1 journal from Michael’s with these little strips.   Gift it to your secret pal or a friend with a pretty pen.
• Teaching tweens?  Use this as journal prompts for the kids.  You’ll be surprised how free they are with their thoughts when they are expressing their feelings in a journal.
• Start a two-way journal with your child or your spouse.  Use these questions to get you started.
• Put these in a cute pail or tin to keep the kids busy at a sleepover.
• Buy a $1 calendar and glue these strips along the weeks.  Put the calendar in a common family area so that you’ll see it often.
• Take these questions along in the car on a road trip.  When the kids start fighting, have them pull out questions to keep the ride going smooth.

Have more ideas?  I’d love to hear them!