This is something that I always get asked…what do I do with all of my children’s artwork? Having children leaving the elementary school and going into middle school, I had this same dilemma. There are basically four options:
1) Display. Display the artwork in a location of your choice. This may be on the refrigerator, tacked onto a bulletin board or framed! Make it a habit to rotate the artwork and get your children’s input. Sometimes they will surprise you and want to discard something if it is not their favorite. Take their que on this one! If you frame it, you will be able to enjoy it for years to come.
2) Discard. I know this is something that is really hard to do. If this is particularly hard to do then hang onto all of it until the end of the year. This way it is easier to evaluate what you really like or what you can part with. Plus you will be able to see their progress and can pluck those few favorites of yours!
3) Mail. This was a great solution for some of the pieces that I struggled with. The Grandparents love receiving a piece of artwork and would glad display it and treasure it. Make a personal note on the back or have your artist sign it! A few other ideas would to scan 12 pieces of art and create a calendar as a Holiday Gift for friends and family. Either that or laminate some of the artwork and then they can be used for placemates!
4) Store. You just have to make sure that you have the right container to store the art. Cardboard storage is hard because it breaks down over time and can lose it shape. Plastic containers are your best bet. Label them by year and keep them stacked in a place where there is room. Art supply stores have great portfolios that are great for those larger pieces.
I have to say that one of my kids would find his artwork on a regular basis and love to go through it and revel in the memories. He does the same thing with my scrapbook and will flip through them for hours. I love the fact that I have hung onto those treasure or have preserved the memories. It is just difficult when you have multiple kids in elementary school and you have to keep up with everything that comes home on a regular basis. Hopefully some of these ideas will work for you!
Happy Organizing! Bridges