Life story gifts for grandparents

[CompaniesHouse]

Has anyone ever bought or used one of those gifts for elderly-ish parents that create a life story or memory book? I’ve occasionally seen ads for them - they email the recipient once per week with a question prompt and then at the end of the year, it’s all collated into a book And I guess the idea is that it’s shared with eg grandchildren as a kind of legacy book or conversation point. I think my parents would really enjoy doing something like that, (they do love a reminisce) and they’d be excited to see the book at the end of it.

anyway, I can’t remember the name of the company I saw the ad for, and I’ve googled and found a couple but none of them seem UK-based, and I’d really like a recommendation. So, has anyone used one of these and would recommend/avoid any?

I've never heard of this before, so can't answer your question, but hoping this will 'bump' the thread for you as it does sound interesting.

We've just ordered from Storyworth for my FIL. That's the only company I've seen that does these kinds of books.

You mean the person who gets this present has to write their own life story (in a series of emails?), having been prompted by someone getting paid to ask them 52 questions and print it all out at the end?

Doesn't sound like that wonderful an idea to me, personally. Sounds like setting weekly homework.

Or maybe the prompter/printer fills out the book with news of the day, c and p'd off the web? The Beatles? Yes, I know all about them, mate, I was there when they burst onto the scene.

Yes I used Storyworth for my mum.

it is a bit like setting homework but she’s minded that way so quite enjoyed doing it.

i set it up partly as I truly wanted a record of her stories, but also as she was started to want to ruminate on her earlier life with me.

i do not want to be pushed into a therapist role for her and doing this process seemed to fill her need to look back and ponder.

im happy i have the finished book though i can’t really bring myself to read it!

To be fair, it's one way of actually getting down to those memoirs you meant to write when you retired So for the right person it could be just the thing.

My own memoir is partly scattered among my MN posts. And there are a fair number of things in Word docs. DF, then in his 80s, some while back, taught himself to use a PC and wrote his memoir of his time in WW2. Got several copies printed out and bound, and gave them to various family members. And it's excellent

I bought my mil one from my DD this year but its just a book she can fill in at her leisure. About a tenner. Not sure I'd pay for typing/collating tbh

I've seen books made up of your own photos, which can serve the same purpose.

To be fair, it's one way of actually getting down to those memoirs you meant to write when you retiredSo for the right person it could be just the thing.

This is what I think too @SequentialAnalyst
A lot of people like a 'prompt' or a 'framework' to nudge us into getting on with all those things we intend to do one day.
Bit like some students (or employees?) only really crack on when there is a deadline due. Or people ask a friend to do Cto5K with them or join an exercise class with them - they are motivated by not wanting to let the friend down.
People aren't all hyper motivated or super organised always to stick with things themselves.

Lots of people quite like homework. It’s no different to people who do journaling activities or keep a diary.

I recently gifted Kindred Tales to my mum, and writing her memoir has been such a fun experience for both of us.

We’ve only just started, but it doesn’t feel like a chore at all. We work on the questions together, and the AI interviews and dictation features have made it so easy to capture stories about her life.

I can’t wait to read her final book once we’re finished.