Keepsake Boxes: Why they’re so special and important!

bridal party exchanging keepsake gift hampers on the morning of a wedding

The Importance of Keepsake Boxes

Keepsake boxes have been used for centuries to store cherished items and mementos. From ancient times to the present day, people have recognized the importance of holding onto memories and treasured possessions. In this post, we’ll explore the history of keepsake boxes and the importance of keepsake boxes for saving mementos!

A bride and her mother exchanging a keepsake gift hamper on her wedding day

The history of keepsake boxes can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where small containers made of wood, stone, and precious metals were used to store valuable objects. These containers were often decorated with intricate designs and symbols that held special meaning for the owner. In medieval Europe, keepsake boxes were used to hold love letters and other personal items and were often given as gifts to loved ones.

Bridesmaid's gathering together to present a gift to their Bride to Be

In the Victorian era, the popularity of keepsake boxes reached its peak. Queen Victoria herself kept her most treasured mementos in keepsake boxes. These included her wedding items like a slice of her cake (which is still around today!), letters from loved ones wishing well and her wedding stationary. The queen also kept baby keepsake boxes, keeping safe the tiniest, but most important memories of her little ones, including those that passed away.

A silvered box with a glass top containing a piece of cake from Queen Victoria’s wedding party.Credit...Fred R. Conrad for The New York Times
A silvered box with a glass top containing a piece of cake from Queen Victoria’s wedding party. Credit: Fred R. Conrad for The New York Times

Ladies at the time, saw the practise of treasuring keepsakes as a sign of nobility and copied Queen Victoria to appear sophisticated. It soon caught on, however, that keepsake boxes were simply a beautiful and important way to save memories. These boxes were often made of wood or metal and were decorated with ornate designs and sentimental messages. They were used to hold a wide variety of mementos, from locks of hair to jewellery to letters and photographs.

Bridesmaids in gold dresses, gifting a wooden keepsake gift box to a bride on her wedding day

Today, keepsake boxes come in all shapes and sizes, and can be made of a variety of materials, from wood and metal to fabric and plastic. They can be used to store anything from baby teeth to wedding mementos to treasured family heirlooms. Our keepsake gift boxes are made from wood sourced from plantations with a strong focus on sustainability. Some of our products are even made from recycled wood, to reduce our footprint on the planet. They’re also made by hand here, in Australia, in the hills of Byron Bay. So there’s no transport or machinery pollution – just keepsake boxes made with love from the very first step! They’re sturdy, so they’ll last for years to come and keep your most fragile keepsakes safe. We have gift boxes in a range of sizes too, so you can find the perfect keepsake box for your occasion.

But what is the importance of keepsake boxes?

The importance of keepsake boxes for keeping mementos safe cannot be overstated. These items are a tangible connection to the past, and can help us remember special moments, people, and events in our lives. They can provide comfort and solace during difficult times, and can serve as a source of inspiration and motivation during times of change.

Bride gifting her bridesmaids in pink cotton bridal robes, their keepsake gift hampers on her wedding day

Furthermore, keepsake boxes and mementos can be passed down through the generations, providing a sense of continuity and connection to our family history. They can help us understand our place in the world, and provide a link to our ancestors and the past.

bride to be gifting her maid of honour a keepsake gift hamper at her bridal shower

Keepsake boxes and mementos have a long and rich history, and are an important way to hold onto memories and treasures that are meaningful to us. By cherishing these items and passing them down to future generations, we can create a sense of continuity and connection that will last for years to come.

Browse our selection of Keepsake boxes, or design your own Custom Keepsake Box in our Gift Emporium!