Do you remember the joy of watching old home movies as a kid?
The grainy VHS tapes. The shakey zoom-ins. The slightly embarrassing fashion choices.
Hearing the voices of loved ones who have since passed.
There was something different about home videos back then. Something raw, real, and sentimental. They weren’t polished or perfect. They were simply life, captured as it was.
And honestly? I miss that.
When I became a mom, I promised myself I’d capture these years. Naturally, I did what any parent with a smartphone does: I filmed everything. Lazy afternoons, birthday mornings, forest walks, messy faces, all of it.
But those videos stayed trapped in my phone… untouched.
Sound familiar?
Our generation might have more footage than any that came before us, yet we watch it less than ever.
The Year Everything Changed
When my oldest was born I wanted to capture it all, especially the holidays. In 2019, I decided to make a simple Christmas home movie. Just a few clips stitched together of our Christmas Day spent with family.
A new tradition was born.
Last year, our kids watched those videos on repeat. They cuddled up on the couch and relived memories that would have otherwise stayed forgotten in my camera roll.
Then they asked to watch more.
I make a point now to record our adventures all December, the cozy traditions, holiday baking, and time with family.
Why Home Videos Matter More Than Ever
We live in a world of fast content. 10-second clips, polished reels, and disappearing stories. But home videos? They slow us down.
Home videos:
- Bring back memories we’d otherwise forget
- Let kids see their own story unfold
- Create traditions that grow more meaningful each year
- Capture voices, laughter, and mannerisms that photos can’t
Most importantly, they give your children a way to see themselves loved.
How to Bring Back the Home Video Era (Without Overthinking It)
If you’ve ever thought about making home videos but never got around to it, consider this your sign.
1. Start with What You Already Have
Scroll your camera roll and pick a handful of clips. Keep it simple.
Your first video doesn’t need to be a cinematic masterpiece, it just needs to exist.
2. Choose a Theme or Season
Some easy ideas:
- Christmas Home Movie (our favourite tradition!)
- A Year in the Life
- Family Nature Adventures
- A Single Road Trip
- Backyard Summer
- Baking or cooking
- Slow Mornings
- Birthdays
Themes give you a natural storyline without much effort.
3. Use Simple Editing Tools
You don’t need fancy software. iMovie, CapCut, or Canva work perfectly and are beginner-friendly.
4. Don’t Aim for Perfection
A shaky clip? Keep it.
A sibling meltdown mid-scene? Real life.
A clip with too much wind? Still part of the story.
Home videos should feel like… home.
5. Make It a Tradition
You don’t have to create a video every month. Try:
- One seasonal video
- One holiday video
- One yearly wrap-up
Keeping Your Home Videos Safe
Please, for the love of nostalgia, back them up.
A few options:
- An external hard drive
- Google Drive or iCloud
- A dedicated “Family Videos” folder on your computer
- Upload to Youtube (unlisted or private)
Your future self will thank you.