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Every May seems to end in a blur—class parties, teacher gifts, pajama days, and permission slips all piling up as we tumble straight into summer. In the middle of that chaos, I’ve been craving a pause. A way to reflect. A chance to mark the end of school before rushing into the next thing.
My oldest is just finishing pre-K, and while we’re still at the very beginning of this journey, it’s hitting me how quickly the school years are going to pass. I don’t want the end of each year to blur into the start of summer without taking a moment to look back—at who she was, what she learned, and how much she’s grown.
So I’ve decided this is the year we start our traditions. Not all the things. Just the right things—little moments of celebration, reflection, and connection that we can build on year after year. I want her to grow up knowing how special each chapter is, and I want to remember them too. Nothing elaborate or expensive. Just little rituals that help us honor the season before jumping into the next.
Here are the end-of-year traditions we’re actually doing this year—plus a few beautiful ideas that I loved, but that didn’t quite make the cut for our family (at least for now).
1. Our Yearly Book: The Wonderful Things You Will Be
I knew I wanted to start a book-signing tradition with my daughter’s teachers, but I didn’t want to pick just any book—I wanted it to mean something. The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin was one of the very first books ever given to her, and it’s held a special place on her shelf ever since. The message is sweet, whimsical, and full of hope—everything I want her to carry with her through the years.
So now, at the end of each school year, I’ll have her teachers write a short note inside the book. Just a few sentences about who she is right now or what they’ve loved about teaching her.
By the time she graduates, this book will be filled with messages from the people who helped shape her—and I can’t think of a more meaningful gift to send her off with.
If you’re starting this tradition too but want a different book, here are a few other beautiful options:
- I Wish You More by Amy Krouse Rosenthal – short and sweet with warm wishes for life’s big and small moments
- Be You! by Peter H. Reynolds – vibrant and empowering, great for celebrating individuality
- Maybe by Kobi Yamada – a beautifully illustrated book full of potential and wonder
- Wherever You Go by Pat Zietlow Miller – a lovely option for marking transitions and new beginnings
- Wherever You Go, I Want You to Know by Melissa B. Kruger – faith-based and centered on what truly matters in life
- Oh, the Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss – the classic choice, especially fitting for big milestone years
Whichever book you choose, it doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to feel right for your family. Starting now means you’ll have something truly special to look back on when the cap and gown day finally comes.
2. Create an End-of-Year Interview Tradition
I’m printing a simple “Last Day of School” interview with questions like:
- What’s your favorite thing to do at school?
- What do you want to be when you grow up?
- What made you laugh this year?
It’ll be fun to see how her answers change over time, and I love the idea of having one snapshot from every grade.
3. A Last Day Celebration
I don’t need anything over-the-top, but I want her to know it’s a big deal that she made it through another year. We might stop for ice cream, have a silly “yes day,” or even do a picnic dinner in the backyard. Just something that says: You did it, and I’m proud.
4. A Letter From Me
Each year, I’m writing her a short letter about who she is in this season—what she loved, what challenged her, what she’s into, what made her proud, the funny things she said… I’m tucking them into a keepsake folder for now, but maybe one day I’ll bundle them up and give them to her when she graduates.
5. First and Last Day Photo Collage
I already take first day pictures (like every mom ever), but now I’m committed to making sure I grab a “last day” photo too. I’ll put them side-by-side each year and keep them in an album so we can look back and see just how much she’s grown.
6. End-of-Year Family Toast
We’re starting a tradition where we raise our juice boxes (or sparkling water!) and toast to a year of growth. Everyone shares their favorite memory or something they’re proud of, celebrating what we learned, what we loved, and what we’re looking forward to. It’s light, fun, and such a lovely way to reflect as a family.
✨ Honorable Mentions: Beautiful Ideas We’re Not Doing (Right Now)
These are ideas I really loved—but either didn’t feel like the right fit for our family or just don’t quite work with our time and energy this year. I’m keeping them in my back pocket, though!
7. Handprint Shirt or Pillowcase
This is such a sweet idea: each year, your child adds their handprint in fabric paint to a white t-shirt or pillowcase, along with their name and grade. By the time they graduate, you’ve got a timeline of growth you can actually hold in your hands.
I seriously considered doing this one—it’s colorful, creative, and makes for a beautiful keepsake. But I had to be honest with myself about the paint, the mess, and the storage space. I love the concept, but in this season of life, it just felt like more stress than joy.
Still, if you’re crafty or looking for something tactile to remember each year by, this could be a great fit. Maybe it’s something we’ll try one year when we’re feeling adventurous!
8. Year-End Capsule Folder
Saving a few key pieces of schoolwork or art along with a photo and note about the year sounded so lovely… until I realized how likely I am to let those folders pile up in a closet. This might be something I revisit in later years when schoolwork feels more meaningful. But of course I do have a folder of all of her sweet little handprint projects she’s brought home.
9. Photo Slideshow or Video Recap
I’ve seen parents put together amazing slideshows of school-year memories—and while I love the idea, I know my reality right now. Some years I might manage a quick photo reel, but for now, I’m giving myself permission to let this one be optional.
10. Teacher Memory Journal
A teacher memory journal is a simple notebook that travels with your child year after year. At the end of each school year, their teacher adds a short message—maybe a favorite memory, a kind word, or advice for the future. Over time, it becomes a collection of encouragement from the people who helped shape your child’s education.
I love the heart behind this idea and seriously considered it. But for now, I’ve chosen to keep things simple with just one signing book—The Wonderful Things You Will Be. Managing multiple keepsakes felt like a lot in this season of life, and I wanted something I know I can stick with long-term.
Still, if you’re not doing a book or your child is older, this could be a beautiful, flexible alternative to capture teacher voices year after year.
💛 A Gentle Reminder Before You Go
Whether your child is finishing their first year of school or their last, this moment matters. It’s okay to be selective. You don’t have to do all the things. Just pick one or two that feel right for your family, and let them grow over time. The goal isn’t to create more to-dos—it’s to carve out a small moment of reflection in a culture that’s always rushing forward.
So whether your child is wrapping up their very first year of school or their last, I hope you’ll take a breath, snap the picture, write the note, or eat the celebratory ice cream. These are the good old days in the making—and they’re worth remembering.
Want to start one of these traditions? Save this post or share it with a friend who’s figuring it out too.