We get questions every day from people wondering what they should Artifct first. There’s no right answer, because the things you collect, accumulate, and inherit are as diverse as is the content of the world’s most amazing estate sale or flea market (or Grandmas' closet).

Of course, we try to help inspire you along the way. We have more than two dozen free downloadable inspiration checklists to help you get started. And we often write about different approaches to get started Artifcting or for those who think, “But I’m not sentimental.”

Today we’re sharing fun and thoughtful starter prompts in a series of lists to help anyone create their first Artifct or their 100th Artifct—whether it's sentimental, quirky, or just a favorite item with a cool backstory. Because the fact is the stuff we keep, and the mere act of taking seconds to Artifct that, can tell others more about us than the most formal or thoughtful of interviews or workbooks.

🧠 Memory-Based Prompts

• • • What’s the oldest thing you own—and why do you still have it? 
    • Tell the story of a gift you’ll never forget (yes, even if you accidentally lost the item). 
    • What item reminds you most of someone you’ve loved and lost? 
    • What’s something you’d want your great-grandchildren to know you owned?

😂 Light & Fun Prompts 

• • • What’s the weirdest item in your junk drawer, and why is it still there? No cheating. Go open it and Artifct that!
    • What’s your favorite T-shirt or mug—and what’s the story behind it? 
    • What’s something that you brought home from a vacation that still makes you smile? 
    • What's the silliest photo you've taken this year? Artifct the photo and the story behind it.  

🎶 Music, Pop Culture, and Hobbies 

• • • What’s the first concert or event you ever went to? Do you still have the ticket or merch? 
    • Share an item related to your favorite movie, book, or band. 
    • What hobby item (camera, sewing machine, old bike) has the most history for you? 
    • What game, toy, or gadget meant the world to you growing up?

🏠 Everyday Meaning 

• • • What’s one recipe card or cookbook you couldn’t live without? 
    • Is there a piece of furniture in your home with a backstory? 
    • What’s an item in your garage, attic, or basement you keep moving but can’t throw away?

💼 Work & Milestones

• • • What item represents a proud work moment or accomplishment? 
    • Choose something from a graduation, award, or “big day.” 
    • What’s the story behind your first paycheck or ID badge?

These prompts aren’t just about choosing what to Artifct first—they’re invitations. Invitations to ask better questions, to listen a little longer, and to discover the stories that often surface only when we slow down together. Whether you’re sitting around the table at a family reunion, visiting grandparents, or catching up with loved ones you don’t see often enough, these moments can turn everyday conversations into lasting connections.

This year, let curiosity lead the way. Use these prompts to spark meaningful exchanges, uncover memories you’ve never heard before, and preserve the stories that matter most—while the people who lived them can still tell them in their own words. One Artifct at a time, you’re not just capturing objects or memories, you’re deepening relationships and building a shared history your family can return to again and again.

Happy Artifcting!

###

© 2026 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

If you’ve spent any time reading about downsizing, decluttering, or estate planning, you’ve probably seen this line repeated over and over: your kids don’t want your stuff. Full stop. End of story. 

Major publications from The Atlantic to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) have documented this myth time and again. In one of the many pieces about family heirlooms and inheritance, the author, Robbie Shell, notes that many parents find themselves surprised when their adult children “turn down many more items than they accept” when offered keepsakes, highlighting a common reality: the things we think matter often aren’t wanted simply as objects without context. 

But based on what we see every day at Artifcts, that narrative is missing something important. 

Yes—your children may not want random stuff. An extra side table with no backstory? A box of unidentified knickknacks? Probably not. But meaningful things? Objects that hold memories, history, and connection? That’s a very different story. 

It’s Not About the Object. It’s About the Meaning. 

That dining room table where birthdays were celebrated, homework was done, and holidays stretched late into the night? That’s not just furniture—it’s a witness to family life. The love letters Grandpa sent Grandma during World War II? That’s not paper—it’s proof of a love that endured separation, uncertainty, and time. 

A love letter worth keeping. Click the image to view the Artifct.

When items are stripped of their stories, they lose their power. But when you take a moment to document why something matters, everything changes. 

From “No One Wants It” to “It’s Been Rehomed!” 

We hear this transformation all the time from Artifcts members. 

An object sits untouched for years because no one understands its significance. Then the story is shared—the memory, the moment, the reason it mattered—and suddenly the response shifts. A sibling claims it. A grandchild treasures it. A family member who never would have raised their hand now says, “I had no idea. I’d love to have that.” 

One of our favorite stories we’ve heard over the years is from one of our Artifcts members, Grandmom. She lovingly told of how no one wanted her beloved china set until one day, one member of her family decided to ask her about the story behind the china set. To everyone’s surprise, the china set was not a wedding gift, but rather a piece of family history with a great story.  

Turns out Grandmom was “kindly requested” to purchase a china set for 12 by the US Ambassador while stationed in Liberia, because “Well Martha, it’s high time you and Bobby start entertaining.”  

Once the story is known, the item isn’t just kept—it’s rehomed. In this case, happily rehomed with one of her three sons, with his daughter already claiming “dibs” on it once she settles down.  

The Power of Heart Value 

Not everything valuable has a price tag. Some things are priceless because they carry heart value—the emotional connection that binds one generation to the next. 

At Artifcts, we see how even the most seemingly insignificant objects can take on new meaning once their story is discovered. A recipe card. A tool. A piece of jewelry worn every day but never discussed. These items become bridges between past and future when their stories are preserved and shared. 

Our Takeaway? 

The myth isn’t that no one wants your stuff. The truth is this: people want the stories—and if you never ask, you’ll never know what might matter. 

Our co-founder Heather experienced this firsthand just the other week. Her father was cleaning out his cellar and came across the old family toboggan. Before tossing it in the Goodwill pile, he asked, “do you want this?” and much to his (and Heather’s spouse’s) surprise, the answer was a quick “yes!”  

So many meaningful objects are lost simply because no one paused to ask the questions: What is this? Why does it matter? What’s special about it? Do you want it? 

When you take time to ask your loved ones about the items in their lives—or invite them to ask you—you open the door to discovery. You uncover memories, moments, and meanings that might otherwise disappear. And once those stories are documented and shared, what seemed unwanted often becomes deeply desired.

Moreoever, simply asking your loved ones if they want an item gives them a chance to engage in conversation with you about the item, memories, and stories. With Artifcts the simple act of asking transforms uncertainty into connection. It turns “no one wants this” into “I didn’t know—and now I care.” 

Because in the end, it’s not really about ‘stuff’ at all. It’s about listening, learning, and preserving the stories that connect generations before they’re gone. 

###

You might also enjoy reading these related ARTIcles:

Who Wants Your Family China?

Gift Your Loved Ones A 'Why'

My Family Wants Me to Tell My Stories: Help!

© 2026 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Dear Artifcts Members, 

As we step into a brand-new year, I want to pause and say thank you. Artifcts exists because of you—your stories, your trust, and your belief that the memories behind our things matter just as much as the things themselves. As we reflect on 2025, I’m filled with gratitude and pride for what we’ve built together. 

This past year was one of meaningful growth and exciting milestones. We partnered with Clutter Cleaner to help families facing downsizing and life transitions preserve what truly matters—the stories and significance behind their belongings. This collaboration reinforced our shared belief that letting go of things doesn’t mean letting go of memories. 

We were also honored to be named one of Family Tree Magazine’s Top Genealogy Tech Websites for the third year in a row. This recognition reflects our continued commitment to supporting families, historians, and everyday memory-keepers with thoughtful, accessible technology. 

In 2025, I also had the opportunity to join the Northern Trust “Secrets of Enterprising Families” podcast, where we talked openly about legacy, loss, and practical estate planning. These conversations are at the heart of why Artifcts exists—to make space for reflection, clarity, and connection across generations. 

On the product side, we reached a major milestone with the launch of ARTIAssist, our first AI-backed feature. ARTIAssist was designed to make creating Artifcts easier and more intuitive, helping members capture historical and factual details behind their most cherished keepsakes. This was a big step forward for us, and we’re just getting started. 

None of this would be possible without your continued support, feedback, and enthusiasm. You inspire us every day. 

Looking ahead to 2026, we’re excited about what’s to come: 

• Continued refinement of ARTIAssist and other AI-powered tools to help you create new Artifcts with confidence and ease 

• Virtual workshops designed to help you get the most out of every Artifcts feature 

• And a growing team, bringing new ideas, energy, and expertise to better serve our community 

Thank you for being part of the Artifcts family and for trusting us with your stories. Here’s to a new year filled with reflection, discovery, and connection—and to preserving what matters most, together. 

With gratitude and warm wishes for the year ahead, 

Co-Founder & CEO, Artifcts 
Happy New Year ✨ 

For parts of the United States, sweater weather is officially here, and with it comes an increasingly frenetic pace of to-do's as we approach the holiday season. Old St. Nick is not the only one making a list and checking it twice—our co-founder Heather has already started a list of recipes (and ingredients!) needed to pull off a family Thanksgiving feast, and we know she is not alone.  

Here at Artifcts, we want to help you reclaim the joy (and meaning!) that goes along with the holidays all season long. Our starting point? Our kitchens, and more specifically with our cookbooks and recipes, because chances are the recipes that we make and love are not solely about the ingredients, but about the memories, traditions, and family stories that make the holidays so special.  

Why it matters: cookbooks, recipes, and memories 

It might surprise you that in researching this story we discovered that the average American family owns at least 15 cookbooks, and that three in ten women have a cookbook collection, according to Morris Cookbooks, the largest cookbook publisher in the US. Informal online discussions meanwhile suggest many households own dozens—or even hundreds—of cookbooks, far surpassing the “average.”  

Why does that matter now, especially as we head into the holiday season? Because recipes aren’t just instructions. Researcher Eleonora Sava highlights this point in her 2021 article titled, Family Cookbooks—Objects of Family Memories. Sava describes recipes and cookbooks as objects of memory as they record more than ingredients and steps. According to Sava, cookbooks capture handwriting and family tastes, and link generations through the act of cooking.  

And as the holidays approach—when families gather, when traditional dishes make their annual appearance, when memories of past celebrations resurface—the meaning of a recipe goes far beyond the kitchen. A dish becomes a link to a grandparent, a holiday table, a childhood kitchen smell, or a moment of togetherness.  

So how can you best preserve those family traditions in an organized, shareable way—especially heading into the holidays? Hello Artifcts! 

Artifcts allows you to capture not only the recipe itself, but its origin, stories about the person who made it, the holiday or event it was tied to, notes (handwritten or digital), and even tangents like family anecdotes, ingredient variations, or why it matters to you. With Artifcts, a recipe becomes far more than a page in a cookbook—it becomes a shareable, searchable, multimedia keepsake. 

Click the image to view Matt Paxton's family cookbook that he Artifcted. 

How to Artifct your recipes to preserve traditions, stories, and memories 

Intrigued? Want to give it a try? We’ve compiled the below step-by-step guide to help you begin Artifcting your family recipes and preserving your culinary heritage ahead of the holidays: 

1. Gather your recipes and the accompanying keepsakes 

• Pull together all the physical and digital items 
• Don’t forget handwritten index cards, printed family cookbooks, scraps of parchment with notes, old magazine cut-outs, even photos of the dish or the family moment. 

2. Photograph the key items you want to include in the Artifct 

• Don’t worry, you can always go back and edit it if you forget something! 

3. Add the story behind each recipe 

• Who cooked it originally?  
• When/where was it typically served? (Holiday dinner each December, Sunday brunch, etc.)
• What makes it special? The ingredient twist? The aroma? The family joke tied to it?
• Write (or record video or audio) short anecdotes: “I remember the year the turkey caught fire and we still served this cranberry relish…”
• Photograph: The dish itself, the handwritten card, the cook in action, the table-setting from past years. 

4. Organize, organize, organize 

• Use Categories (Home → Recipes and Occasions → Holidays)
• Create custom tags to easily sort and search, e.g., #MomsRecipes, #FamilyFavorite, #Handwritten, #Thanksgiving2025, etc. 

5. Share and invite contributions 

• Privately share recipes with relatives (near or far) via link or invite.  
• Give loved ones “Editor” access so they can collaborate and even add variations or their own memories, if you want them to. 

You might discover after Artifcting your family recipes you may be willing (or able) to downsize and declutter your cookbook collection. Consider retaining the cookbooks you actively use, the sentimental ones, and let others go (donate, recycle, give away) knowing your family’s tradition lives on in your Artifcts collection. This is especially helpful ahead of holidays, when you may want to free up space, reduce clutter, simplify your kitchen/library area—and keep the heart of your culinary heritage intact  

Why Artifcting wins vs. pure cookbooks 

• Shareability: Traditional cookbooks are fine for the in-house chef, but sharing them across generations, branches of the family, or geographically separated relatives is harder. With Artifcts, you can privately share with cousins, grandchildren, or nieces and nephews, invite contributions, and access from anywhere. 

• Context & story: A cookbook often gives you a title, ingredients, steps—but rarely the story: “why Grandma always added nutmeg,” or “how this dish saved the day when the oven broke on Christmas Eve.” Artifcts preserve the memory, not just the mechanics. 

• Searchable & customizable: You can tag by holiday, ingredient, dietary restriction, chef-in-the-family, etc. Over time you build an archive that you can browse by event or person—far more flexible than a static bookshelf. 

• Space & organization: If your cookbook collection is growing unwieldy (shelves overflowing, dusting stress), Artifcting gives you a chance to digitize key recipes + stories, reduce physical clutter, and still keep the heritage alive. It’s a win-win: fewer books, more meaning. 

• Legacy and future-proofing: Physical cookbooks may fade and get lost; handwritten cards may deteriorate. A thoughtfully maintained digital archive ensures these traditions aren’t lost, even if a physical book is damaged or thrown out. This matters especially for holiday-linked dishes that may only appear once a year. 

A very memorable Artifct, complete with an instructional video from Grandma herself!

Final thoughts 

Family recipes are more than just good food. They are the threads that weave together generations, holidays, kitchens, stories, aromas, and memories. As Sava noted in her article on family cookbooks: “The family cookbook becomes an album of memories… the handwriting may summon the image of the person who wrote that recipe.”  

By taking the time now—before the holiday rush—to Artifct your cherished recipes, you’ll be gifting your family a legacy of meaning as well as a well-curated digital archive rich with stories, photos, and flavors. It’s he kind of heirloom that can travel across generations far easier than a shelf-full of cookbooks. 

So, pull out your recipe box, gather those favorite dishes, invite your family to tell you the “why” behind them—and get started preserving your traditions, one recipe at a time. 

###

© 2025 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Across the US, homeowners are watching their insurance premiums skyrocket. According to an analysis of insurance industry reports, average premiums have risen over 20% in the last year alone, with no signs of slowing. And when disaster strikes — from hurricanes and wildfires to floods and theft — insurance payouts can take three to six months or longer to be fully processed and received. 

Even when claims are approved, homeowners are often left grappling with another harsh truth: some things can be replaced, but many cannot. And often the things that cannot be replaced are the ones that we value most. They may not be the ones that hold the most financial value, but they certainly tend to hold a lof of what we call “heart value.” 

What’s a Needlepoint Pillow Worth? 

Let’s say your insurance company writes you a check for the fair market value of your damaged or stolen items. Refrigerator? Check, that’s easy. Sofa and loveseat, double check.  

But what’s the monetary value of Nana’s handmade needlepoint cushions that sat in her living room for decades? Or the vintage charm bracelet your mom wore every holiday? How about your child’s first fingerpainting, lovingly framed and hung in the hallway? 

The answer: There is no replacement cost high enough to recover the meaning of these items. And that’s why we Artifct. 

When Disaster Strikes, an Artifct Is Your Memory Vault 

Natural disasters don't give us time to prepare. But a digital record of your most sentimental belongings means you can prove ownership, document financial value (when possible), and most importantly — preserve the memories even if the object is lost. 

While insurance companies assess damage and estimate costs, your family won’t be left trying to remember what that cherished object looked like or where it came from. You’ll already have a rich, secure record, and a legacy to pass on. 

This October, we challenge you to Artifct the irreplaceable. Not everything in your home, just the things that would break your heart to lose. Start with: 

• A family quilt with generations of history sewn into its fabric
• The wedding china no one dares eat off of, but everyone remembers
• Dad’s old fishing rod, full of childhood memories
• A handwritten letter tucked in a book from someone long gone 

Click on the image to view the Artifct, one of many irreplaceable items of this family's history.

At the end of the day, no insurance policy (or AI algorithm for that matter) knows what matters most or what items have the most heart value to you and your family.  

Your Family’s History Is Worth Saving 

As you celebrate Family History Month this October, don’t stop at genealogy charts and old photographs. Think about the physical items that tell your family’s story. Think about the why behind them. And give yourself (and future generations) the gift of preserving not only the item, but the history, stories, and memories that go along with it. 

Because in the end, your history is more than names and dates. It’s the objects you touch, the stories you tell, and the people you love. 

###

Looking for additional tips to help you be prepared for all of life's what ifs? You might also enjoy:

Insurance & The Art of Artifcts

How to Choose the Right Home Inventory App for You

How a Simple Act Saved One Man's Most Valued Memory of His Dad

© 2025 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Feeling overwhelmed by your ever-increasing digital photo collection? Not sure what to do with the boxes and boxes of physical photos you’ve either collected or inherited over the years?  

Chances are you are not alone. We take photos to capture a memory or moment in time. We keep photos not because of the actual photo (except in rare circumstances) but because of the memories and emotions they evoke.  

This leaves most of us with an ever-growing collection of photos, some of which take up valuable space in our homes, and others that take up valuable space on our devices. It also leaves us with a lot of snapshots in time, but very few documented memories, stories, and the like for our loved ones.  

As we wrap up Save Your Photos Month, we’d like to propose a challenge—over the next five days, pick a photo a day and Artifct it along with the story, memory, and maybe even the reason WHY you love that photo.  

You don’t need to have a paid Artifcts account to take part in this challenge—anyone, anywhere can join. Sign up for free today and get Artifcting! We all have photos and memories worth preserving. 

You also don’t need to overthink it. Five photos. Five stories. Five pieces of you that are now documented and preserved for generations to come.  

After looking at her own post-move mess of photos, frames, boxes, and a soon-to-be collection of 15,000 digital photos, our co-founder Heather decided to give it a go. Her photos, her memories.  

My Favorite Childhood Photo 

This photo has survived more moves than I can count. It’s one of my favorite childhood photos—I have no recollection of the moment, but it always makes me smile.  

Dad & Me. Age 3. Click to view the Artifct. 

I can feel the late Fall sunlight, smell the salt air, and remember the stone step to my childhood home, Briar Bog Farm. My father’s LL Bean flannel shirts, and my purple overalls. I always wore those overalls. Purple was my favorite color after all.  

I shared this Artifct with my daughter and her first response (via text) was, “OMG we look so much alike!” Her second response was, “I didn’t know you liked purple.” And her third, “Did I have a pair of purple overalls when I was younger?” Before I could answer I got the “GTG don’t want to be late for class.” One photo shared, one memory saved, and a new story made. 

You Surfed?!? 

Yes, I surfed. Way back when you could still barter blueberry muffins for a surf lesson or two and a ride out to Cisco Beach in a beat-up Ford van.  

Surfing and surfboard photos. Click to view the Artifct. 

It was the summer between my sophomore and junior years in college. I was working three jobs (bar tending, tutoring, and nannying) but it did not matter. I lived to surf. Any and every free moment was spent on the beach, surfboard in tow. I would (and often did) gladly sacrifice sleep for surfing.  

I smile every time I see these photos. They are a snapshot in time of a crazy, wonderful, totally unexpectedly perfect summer.  

And Miles to Go Before I Sleep 

This is one of the few photos I have printed and framed over the past ten years. My daughter and dear spouse have even asked on occassion when I was planning to replace the stock photo that came with the frame for a “real” photo. 

Sorry to disappoint, but this is the “real” photo. It’s one my favorite spots in the White Mountains, a boardwalk passage across a high-altitude swamp along the Zealand Falls Trail. 

And Miles to Go Before I Sleep. Click to view Artifct. 

Growing up, Robert Frost’s poetry was a constant companion. Whether out for a walk or repairing the paddock fences, there was always a quote or two at hand. Whereas some children are drilled in their ABCs and 123s, I was drilled in verses of one of New England’s most celebrated poets.  

I printed and framed this photo because (1) I love the majestic beauty of the White Mountains, and (2) it is a constant reminder that I have “miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep.” It’s my little reminder to myself that like any good hiking trail, life is best taken one step at a time.  

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun 

This is a private Artifct, and for good reason! The stories, the memories, and the laughs. Always the laughs.  

Go Caps! Sorry, this Artifct is private. 

The photo though is one of my all-time favorites. I framed it the moment I got it, and that framed photo has graced every desk I’ve had since, pre-COVID and post-COVID. My daughter recently took a good look at it while helping me unpack and said, “Wow, you and Aunt G still look exactly the same!” That in and of itself made me smile.  

She then wanted to know the story behind the photo, hence one of my newest Artifcts. She knew it was me and Aunt G in the photo, but she didn’t know the story or even where the photo was taken. Small moments create bigger memories. 

Marry Me?  

This too is going to remain a private Artifct, but the photo is worth a thousand words. And yes, there are a thousand-plus words in the Artifct to back it up.  

Do you have one of those photos that makes you smile every time you see it? That it puts you in a good move no matter what? That’s what this photo does for me.  

Marry Me? Sorry, this Artifct is private.

It was taken the afternoon my now-husband proposed. We were in Telluride for the Blue Grass Festival. He proposed earlier that morning while out on a hike. I was so surprised it took me a moment to answer.  

After I said yes, he wanted to know what I thought he was going to ask. I told him, “I thought you were going to ask if I was hungry and if I wanted pizza!” Well, this photo was taken post-hike and post-pizza, right before we settled into our spots for another night of amazing bluegrass music with the San Juan Mountains as our backdrop.  

Like my favorite childhood photo, I can still feel the sunlight hit my face every time I look at this photo.  

Your Turn! 

Which five photos will you choose to Artifct this week? What five stories will you tell, what five memories will you share?  

Remember, don’t over think it. If you’re not sure where to start, look at your framed photos. Chances are they are framed for a reason! Still stuck for inspiration? Check out our Rescue Those Photos! checklist for some ideas to help you get started.  You can also check out our tips on How-To Artifct That Photo. 

Remember, photos can’t talk, but you can. Start telling your story today. 

###

© 2025 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.