Beach lovers know that every beach is different and has its own unique look and feel. Why not start a collection of souvenir sand bottles from your beach trips? It’s an easy, fun and memorable way to keep a piece of the beach long after you leave it. It’s also a great way to line a shelf, mantle or any display space you may have at home. Collect some sand from each beach you visit, put it in a Ziploc bag, and then find some unique bottles with lids or corks to start your sand collection. Label them how you please and watch your collection of sand—and memories—grow. 

If you’re looking for a new way to display those beach vacation photos, then this memory jar is for you! This one requires a little more work but the results are totally worth it. You’ll need a mason jar in the size that best works for the number of photos you want to display. Chipboard is used to hang from the lid and that’s what  you’ll adhere your photos to, one on each side. This hanging display of photo memories over a bit of sand and shells really makes for a beautiful memory jar. Label it and decorate the lid as you like. All that’s left to do is find the perfect place to show it off.

You can store and display a multitude of your beach vacation finds all in one place. Find a terrarium or other large glass container that will work for your display. Then fill it with your beachcombing finds. Sand, shells, sea glass, shark teeth, driftwood and rocks work well to create a really natural look. You can also go beyond those basics and include other mementos from your beach vacation including photos, ticket stubs, postcards and more. It’s up to you and the size of your jar! A simple nautical looking rope or twine and a tag to label your vacation memory jar are the final touches.

Have this craft ready for the kids during your beach vacation so that when a rainy day comes along or you just need a quiet afternoon project for them, you’ll have it ready to go. Be sure to collect your sand and shells early on in your vacation so you have them on hand. You can find small, affordable jars at most local dollar stores or craft stores. That’s really all you need for the kids to make their own beach vacation memory jars. Let them fill their keepsake up with sand and shells and let them create their own label. They’ll love to take home their little piece of the beach!

Make the beach part of your holidays this year! You can find glass or plastic ornaments at most craft stores, so keep an eye out for them. Save some white sugar sand from the the Gulf Coast beaches and mix it with a bit of fine snow white glitter to fill the base of this coastal holiday ornament. (Just don’t fill it too much, or it will be too heavy.) This is a wonderful way to show off the tiny shells you’ve collected at the beach to put right on top of the sand mixture. Finish it off by hot glueing nautical looking rope or twine for a beautiful beach vacation keepsake.