New House Guest Book

I think it was a Saturday Six a few weeks ago when I explored ideas for a new guest book in our new house. I finally picked what I thought we should do, so today's post is the big unveiling for that!

We didn't have a guest book in our Marion house. I never thought of it, honestly. But when we moved to Kokomo, I found an idea on Pinterest to use a Jenga game as a guest book. We had dinner guests and overnight guests alike sign the little wooden blocks, and we still have it! It serves as a game and a reminder of the blessings we had in being able to welcome friends into our home during the four years we lived there. I actually looked through those pieces just a few days ago, and it was so much fun to relive the memories.

* I found Ryan's mom's signature from one of her Mommapalooza visits.

* I found one of Ryan's co-worker's notes. She stayed overnight with us after a bad storm. We had electricity and she didn't, so we gave her a place to stay.

* I found the pieces signed by friends and family who came over for Tuesdays at the Table.

So many great adventures took place in that house, and I fully expect the same to be true in this one!

So what are we doing this time?

Library cards!

I came up with the idea because I saw some pins on Pinterest for a book-themed wedding. Guests signed library cards, and the bride and groom could read back over the notes on the card to see who had attended the wedding.

What works for a wedding can work for our house, right?

I found this post with free library cards I could print at home. (I just use regular paper, not card stock, but you could use card stock if you want it to be a little more durable.) This post also comes with multiple colors, which I think just makes it that much more interesting! 

(Source)

We've already had a chance to use this a few times, and I love how it works! I have our guests write their names on the "author" line. Then on the "title" line, I add in the reason for their visit. (They're welcome to add it if they want, but so far, I've done it each time.) So, for example, out little guy that spent the week with us after easter was titled "first overnight guest." Phoebe's people came to see us a couple of weeks ago, so they were our first lunch guests. Then, of course, there were our Mini-Mommapalooza guests. 

For "Date Loaned," I have them write in the date of their visit. For those who stay more than one day, we can also use the "Date Returned" line to reflect the full visit. 

Then in the "Borrower's Name" lines, I ask them to write a message. They can make it as long or short as they want, but it's fun to see their thoughts in their own handwriting!

I don't own a card catalog (unfortunately) so I will have to come up with a way to store these, but I love the compact nature of this idea. 

I also like the idea of remembering each guest as a story in our memory book of life in this house. They all matter to me, and I love it that I can keep track of each story in this way.

So there you have it! The new house guest book revealed at last!