How to contribute to a Celebration Book

Storyworth Celebrations make it easy to bring everyone together to capture stories, memories, and photos in a beautiful keepsake book. It’s the perfect group gift for a special occasion like a birthday, wedding, or retirement, or a personal way to chronicle a child’s first year, create a family history book, or celebrate the life of someone who has passed.

If you've been invited to contribute to a Celebration Book, you may be finding it hard to know what to write or even how to get started.it may feel hard to know what to write or even how to get started. That’s why we created this guide to help you along the way.

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What to share

A typical contribution to a Celebration Book is a story, well wishes, or advice along with a photo or two, but what you share can be as unique and personal as the occasion or person the Celebration Book is for.

In some cases, the book’s organizer will include a note in the invitation offering direction for what they’d like you to contribute. For instance, “Share a favorite memory or two about Barbara to show her how much we all love her on her 50th birthday!” Or, “We’re creating this book to celebrate Mark’s life. Please share how he impacted you.”
However, sometimes all you’ll know is who the book is for and for what occasion or purpose.

Keep in mind that your contribution doesn’t need to be long, and it doesn’t even need to be a story to be meaningful. One good way to get started is by selecting a favorite photo or two. Reflecting on it may spark a long story, a short one, or even speak for itself.

For some Celebration Books, you may want to include a poem, song lyrics, a recipe or even a drawing. Every contribution makes the book meaningful, especially yours.

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Thought starters

Looking for inspiration? Below are some thought starters for common occasions which you can use to spark a story or contribution.

‍Birthdays

How did you meet them and how long have you known them?
What’s a memorable adventure or trip you’ve shared?
What’s something you admire about them?
Share a funny or heartwarming story about them.
What is some of the best advice they’ve given you?

Anniversaries

Can you remember early impressions they shared of each other?
What was their wedding like?
What’s something you enjoy doing with them, and why?
What do you admire about their relationship?
Share a favorite memory with them as a couple.
What is your wish for their future?

Retirements

What’s something you learned from them?
What will you miss most about working with them?
Share a story about a fun time you shared at work.
Describe a time you saw them go above and beyond.
What was your first impression of them, and how did that change?

Graduations

What advice would you give this graduate?
What’s a quality or trait you believe will contribute to their future success?
Describe an accomplishment of theirs that made you proud.
Share a funny, or heartfelt memory of them growing up.

‍Memorials

What’s your most cherished memory of them?
Share a valuable life lesson they taught you.
What did you admire most about them?
Share words from a poem or song that make you think of them.
What was a special talent or passion of theirs?

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