Buy a fabric-covered box with lid (or make it yourself) and fill it with things that represents the day, month and year the baby is born. Tie the box with a ribbon and add a tag with the special instructions it is not to be opened till she/he reaches the age of 18. Ask the parents to keep the box up on a high shelf where the child can see it and knows that it is their very own special gift for when they are older. As the child grows up, be prepared for questions like, "How much longer do I have to wait?" or "When will I be 18?" Most kids love looking at the box and dreaming about what's in it that is their very own special gifts.

Some of the items to be included are suggested below:

• Photo of the baby you are making the box for
  (perfect would be a photo of you holding the baby)

• Photo of the Mom and Dad of the baby

• Photos of the grandparents

• Photo of the house or apartment when the baby was born

• Photo of pets

• Photo of the car that brought the baby home from the hospital

• Small Coca-Cola (the shape changes over the years)

• Newspaper with the date of the baby's birth

• Magazine (for a boy or girl)

• One Dollar bill

• One penny, nickel, dime and quarter

• Collectible card (Pokemon, Baseball, etc.)

• Video of a current hit movie

• Music video

• Toy and hamburger wrapping from McDonald's

• Outfit the baby wore home from the hospital

• Photo of you and your family

• Letter from you