Having a family and a place to call home is a blessing. Right from the time that you started building your home to planning a family, each and every moment would be extremely special. However, somewhere between school drop-offs and packed lunches, family life quietly speeds up. Gradually, seasons begin to blur together, and milestones sneak past us. And those bucket list ideas we talk about—camping trips, beach days, baking traditions—often stay right where they started: in our heads!
It is not that we don’t care about making memories; it’s just that time takes over. We needed a way to slow things down—not to plan every minute, but to remember what mattered enough to make space for it.
That’s what led me to create a family bucket list calendar — and why I wanted to share this idea with my readers by hosting a giveaway in partnership with CanvasDiscount. I’m always looking for genuinely useful products to introduce to my audience, and this felt like a natural fit for families who want to be more intentional with their time together.
Turning Bucket List Ideas Into Real Plans
Family bucket lists don’t have to be dramatic or expensive to be meaningful. Some of our favourite moments have been the simplest ones:
- A spontaneous beach day
- Our first (slightly chaotic) camping trip
- Slow Sunday baking afternoons
- A birthday tradition we repeat every year
So, it was clear that the problem wasn’t the ideas but the follow-through. When plans are limited only to conversations or phone notes, they are much easier to forget. But when they are visible, they feel real.
Seeing these moments written into the months of our calendar gave them a definitive deadline. These visual prompts nudged us without demanding attention. It reminds us, gently, and makes us work towards it.
Designing Our Calendar: A Year of Memories
Creating our custom photo desk calendar felt less like designing a product but more like curating a timeline of our family’s life. As part of this, I worked with CanvasDiscount to create a custom photo desk calendar that reflects how our family plans, remembers, and celebrates moments throughout the year.
We chose photos that already held emotion. Pictures with my son’s muddy shoes from a hike, candle-lit birthday smiles, and my daughter’s sunburnt cheeks from summer afternoons – all of these memories made the calendar even more special. Each month reflected a season or rhythm we know well: school terms, holidays, slower months, and even the busier ones.
What I liked most about working with CanvasDiscount was how easy it was to turn an idea into a tangible product. Their online creator made it simple to upload photos, adjust layouts, and preview the final result, which is exactly what busy families need when time is limited.
Uploading photos, adjusting layouts, and previewing the final design were straightforward. Nothing felt overcomplicated, and when it was done, it felt like a year of our family story, laid out in front of us!
More Than a Calendar: A Daily Reminder of What Matters
Our calendar lives where we can see it every day. Sometimes it is kept on a desk and sometimes on the kitchen counter. It is part planner and part keepsake.
The quality of the photo printing genuinely stands out. The images are sharp, warm, and true to colour. Moreover, the calendar itself feels sturdy and thoughtfully made. Also, knowing the products are US-made added another layer of trust and value.
What surprised me most was how often it sparked conversation. The kids recognise the photos instantly. They ask questions. They point out what is coming next month. It works better than photos lost on our phones because it is present. It invites interaction.
It is practical but also beautiful enough to double as an office accessory. This means it does not feel out of place anywhere in our home.
How We Use It as a Family
We mark upcoming “memory days” together. Not every date is filled (on purpose), but the ones that matter do stand out.
At the start of each month, we look ahead. We talk about what’s coming up next. Sometimes we look back instead, remembering moments we might otherwise forget. This has given us a unique way to reflect on where we have been and where we are headed!
A Thoughtful Gift for Memory-Loving Families
A calendar like this also makes for a meaningful and thoughtful present. It is a practical choice with just the right amount of warmth.
I can see it being especially special for grandparents or even new parents who wish to start the new year with intention. Since it is both a keepsake and a planning tool, it grows more valuable with time.
Giveaway
To celebrate family memory-making, I’m hosting a giveaway for my readers in partnership with CanvasDiscount.
Prize: $50 CanvasDiscount gift card
- Delivery included
- Winner selected at random
- Hosted by this blog
Discount Code (For Everyone)
If you would like to create your own memory calendar straight away, you can use this exclusive discount:
Code: HI2026
- 15% off on top of any active sale
- Valid until 31.12.2026
- Maximum discounted items: 10
Competition T&Cs
- Giveaway ends on 28.02.2026.
- Open to UK & US residents
- The prize is non-transferable with no cash alternative
- The winner will be notified by email
- Social platforms are not associated with this giveaway
- Personal data will be used solely for giveaway administration
- The winner’s name may be published with consent
- Privacy policy
Closing Thoughts
Life will always be busy, but how we choose to honour our moments can. This calendar hasn’t slowed time, but it has helped us stay connected. It subtly reminds us to plan, remember, and celebrate family moments, one month at a time.