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The Accidental Gift List of Artifcts

December 20, 2023

Why an “accidental” gift list? The list sort of crept up on us. We've met such amazing people as we’ve been building Artifcts and they offer equally amazing products and services, so suddenly you have a gift list. Besides, while we hope Artifcts is among the gifts you are giving this year, we know it cannot be the ONLY. 🙂

Our list could easily be dozens long, but we decided to choose just a few across a spectrum of products and services that we think is reflective of the wonderfully diverse Arti Community.

With no further ado, our 2023 list:

(We receive no referral fees from this list.)

Lighthouse shining brightly toward the camera lens at night

Stunning, Frame-worthy Photography

You’ll want to build another wall in your home just to make space for pics from these photographers. Whether you’d enjoy wild horses, big game animals of Africa, ocean animals, or rock stars, perhaps @RodneyBursiel’s photographs are just what you need. More of a peaceful sky full of stars person? Check out just a few of the lighthouses at night photographed by David Zapatka in the #Stars_and_lighthouses series. Links to purchase from these photographers is in the "Details" of each Artifct.

 

RELATED ARTICLES BY ARTIFCTS:

The Story of the (Rhino) of Wimberley

Storied Lighthouses: At Night!

Vinyl records inside a black archival box with peek window

Archival Storage Boxes, Bins, and More

Archival Methods offers elegant, sturdy, reliable, and practical bins, boxes, and more for all the 'stuff' we love to and choose to keep. Vinyl records, old photos, precious textiles – they can help you with it all! And no, it's generally not as simple as looking for an acid-free keepsake box or other resource. Check them out!

 

RELATED ARTICLES BY ARTIFCTS:

Sounds of Summer: Vinyl Edition

What Should You Do With Old Scrapbooks?

Matt Paxton, Artifcts, Keep the Memories, Lost the Stuff

Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff

There is a reason Matt Paxton chose to join our advisory board at Artifcts. No technology better fits the learnings and needs of his life cleaning out houses for the last 20 years than Artifcts. His book is loaded with resources and oh-so-relatable stories. While an “easy read” it’s not a light-weight book with tired advice. It will truly help you, make you smile along the way, and maybe ease some tough conversations with loved ones.

 

RELATED ARTICLES BY ARTIFCTS

15 Decluttering Targets, with tips from Matt Paxton

Watch replays of Evenings with Artifcts with Paxton: Fall 2022 and Spring 2023

Akin stacked cloth custom family history books

Genealogical Dig, Story, & Custom Display Box

Akin offers custom boxes that fit and showcase the curated items you have chosen to help tell your story - whether it’s memorabilia, journals, photographs, or documents. What further sets Akin apart from simple memento boxes is that it offers services bundled around the box for custom-designed books and genealogy research, too.

RELATED ARTICLES BY ARTIFCTS

Keepsake, Remembrance, and Memento Boxes - Boxes Abound!

Pictures of documents and photos scattered on a table

Gift Services: Photo Organizing, Genealogy Research

A gift that says, "I love you," is sometimes that magical blend of helping to destress folks who want to take care of their photos and family legacy but need a little help and even some company in the process. Check out Legacy Tree Genealogists and find a professional photo organizer near you via The Photo Managers.

 

RELATED ARTICLES BY ARTIFCTS

Photos & Stories Go Better Together: A Conversation with the CEO of The Photo Managers

Genealogy for the New, the Reluctant, and the Frustrated: Our Conversation with a Professional

Artifcts Pairs Beautifully with These Gifts

Having just written out this gift list, we admit, an Artifcts membership pairs beautifully with each of these gifts.

      • If you are going to pay to frame it or pop it in an archival box, you should really Artifct it so you remember where you got it, what it even is, and can also attach the receipt and certificate of authenticity.  
      • If you are on the move or decluttering, Artifcts is the ultimate app to help save the memories so you can lighten the load and move forward.  
      • If you are digging into family history and genealogy, share it with the ease and privacy of a digital Artifct so that even the youngest generation will be interested in tuning in!
      • If you love the picture, remember, a photo can’t talk – we can animate them in creepy ways, but one generation removed the story will be lost and two generations removed you won’t know who is in the photo. Besides, no one is going to look through 10s of 1000s of photos. Artifct the photos (and family documents!) that matter most and the stories that make the moment captured. Artifcts Concierge Services can help, too - people love having someone there to share their stories with and family is not always available or skilled to help. 

If you'd like to suggest a topic for future ARTIcles, please write to us at Editor@Artifcts.com.

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© 2023 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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What's New at Artifcts
Looking Back with Gratitude, Looking Ahead with Purpose

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 ✨ 

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Happy 12 Days of Artifcts!

The holidays have a way of stirring up memories—some wrapped in joy, some tucked quietly into the corners of our hearts. This year, Artifcts is celebrating those moments in a way that’s meaningful, creative, and deeply personal with the 12 Days of Artifcts holiday challenge. 

If you’ve been following along on our social channels, you’ve seen how powerful a single object can be when paired with a story. An old photograph. A travel souvenir. A well-loved family quilt. These aren’t just “things.” They’re touchstones to the people, places, and moments that shaped us. 

 

The first four days of our 12 Days of Artifcts challenge. Objects with stories, your stories!

That’s what the 12 Days of Artifcts is all about—and we’d love for you to join in the fun. 

Are You Up for a Challenge? 

We promise, our “challenge,” doesn’t involve Tik Tok or ice buckets, and it’s simple enough to do even if you’ve never done one of those “I-saw-it-on-the-evening-news" challenges before. 

Over 12 days, we share 12 different themes, one per day via our Facebook and Instagram pages. Each theme invites you to choose a meaningful item from your life and Artifct it—capture a photo, add the story behind it, and preserve the memory digitally for yourself and for the people you love. 

By the end of the challenge, you’ll have: 

  • 12 Artifcts
  • 12 memories preserved
  • 12 stories ready to share with family and friends—now or for generations to come 

There’s no right or wrong way to participate. Some people choose deeply sentimental items. Others lean into lighthearted or unexpected objects. Every Artifct tells a story worth saving. 

Every Artifct tells a story worth saving. 

A Theme for Every Kind of Memory and Artifct 

Each day’s theme offers a gentle nudge to look at your life through a new lens. One day might spark a story about family traditions. Another might bring back a personal milestone, a favorite place, or a meaningful relationship. Some themes make you smile instantly; others may surprise you with memories you hadn’t thought about in years. That’s part of the magic. 

You don’t need museum-worthy artifacts. The beauty of Artifcts is that meaning isn’t measured by monetary value—it’s measured by connection. If an item holds a story only you can tell, it belongs here. 

 
 
 
 
Pick a theme that works for you and join in the fun as we count down the 12 Days of Artifcts!

Why Participate? 

Because memories fade—but stories don’t have to. 

The 12 Days of Artifcts is more than a creative challenge. It’s an opportunity to pause during a busy season and reflect. To document the moments that matter. To create something lasting that you can revisit, share, and pass on. 

Many participants tell us that once they start, they can’t stop. One Artifct leads to another. One memory unlocks three more. Before you know it, you’re building a living archive of your life (and your holidays!)—your way. 

Share the Joy 

One of our favorite parts of the challenge is seeing how people share their Artifcts with others. Share yours on social media, tag us, and use #12DaysofArtifcts to be part of the community countdown. Or keep them private, sharing only with family and close friends. However you participateyou’re contributing to something meaningful. 

And don’t worry, this isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence, and preserving lasting memories and stories during the holidays.

It’s Not Too Late to Start 

If you’re reading this and thinking, “I missed a day… or five,” take a deep breath. You’re right on time. 

The 12 Days of Artifcts isn’t a race. Start today. Pick the theme that speaks to you most. Go back and fill in the others when you’re ready. The stories will wait for you. All that matters is beginning. 

As we count down the 12 Days of Artifcts, we invite you to reflect, remember, and create. At the end, you won’t just have a collection of items—you’ll have a collection of stories that only you can tell. 

So choose your first theme. Find your first item. And Artifct that {old photo, handmade ornament, special gift} or other holiday keepsake. From all of us at Artifcts, happy holidays and happy Artifcting! 

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© 2025 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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Why an Artifcts Membership Is the #1 Holiday Gift for Grandparents Who Have Everything 

As the holiday season approaches and families search for meaningful, memorable gifts, one option rises above the usual sweaters, gadgets, and gift cards: a gift membership to Artifcts.com. For grandparents, who are often the keepers of stories, traditions, and treasured belongings, Artifcts offers something far more valuable than another item to unwrap. It offers a way to preserve their legacy, share memories, and connect with loved ones in a lasting, joyful way. 

A Modern Solution to a Timeless Desire: Sharing Stories 

Grandparents often have homes filled with objects rich in personal history—photographs, souvenirs, heirlooms, handmade pieces, letters, and charming odds and ends. But the stories behind those items aren’t always written down or passed along. 

Artifcts.com changes that. With an easy-to-use platform, grandparents can upload photos of meaningful items and record the stories, memories, and details behind them. Each “Artifct” becomes a digital keepsake—part story, part history, part heirloom—preserved beautifully for future generations. 

It’s the perfect way to capture moments like: 

  • The origin of Grandpa’s well-worn fishing hat
  • The recipe card with Grandma’s handwritten notes
  • The ornament that’s hung on the tree for 40 years
  • The ticket stub from their first date 

This isn’t just documentation—it’s storytelling. 

A Thoughtful Gift That Builds Connection 

A gift membership to Artifcts isn’t something that sits on a shelf. It’s a shared experience. 

Grandparents can invite family members into their private circle, allowing children and grandchildren to explore the stories behind the items they’ve always been curious about—or never knew existed, sparking conversations across generations, bridging distances, and helping younger family members better understand their roots. 

It’s especially meaningful for: 

  • Families who live far apart
  • Grandparents who want to connect with tech-savvy grandkids
  • Loved ones who want to preserve memories before they fade 

Perfect for Legacy, Estate, and Family Planning 

In addition to emotional value, Artifcts has practical benefits. Grandparents can document: the provenance of their heirlooms; instructions for what should happen to certain items someday with our "In the Future" field; and the significance of objects family members will inherit. With Artifcts you can pass down the stories, meaning, and value along with the actual item.  

This avoids confusion, conflict, or lost historical context later. Family decision-making becomes clearer—and more heartfelt—when the story behind each item is preserved. 

Tech-Friendly for All Ages 

Artifcts was designed to be simple for anyone to use—tech-savvy or not. The platform walks users through the process step-by-step, making it enjoyable and unintimidating. Our Quick Start Guide helps anyone age 16-97 get started right away, while our YouTube Channel offers dozens of short, easy to follow videos that will have you up and Artifcting in no time!

Plus, because it’s digital, grandparents can create and share Artifcts from the comfort of home or even use the mobile app when inspiration strikes. 

A Gift That Lasts Long After the Holidays 

While most holiday gifts are eventually forgotten, Artifcts grows more valuable with time. With every story uploaded, the gift becomes richer, deeper, and more meaningful. 

It's not just a membership—it’s: 

  • A storytelling tool
  • A memory-preservation system
  • A family-connection platform
  • A legacy-building experience 

And it becomes a treasured part of a grandparent’s life year-round. 

The Heart of the Holiday Season 

Ultimately, the best gifts are those that bring people closer together. A gift membership to Artifcts.com celebrates a grandparent’s life, honors their stories, and preserves them for generations to come. It transforms holiday giving into something timeless—ensuring that the memories, laughter, lessons, and love of today remain part of your family’s story forever. 

This holiday season, wrap up something truly meaningful. Give the gift of Artifcts. 

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© 2025 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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