By Melanie Linn Gutowski

You probably have spent many moments with your nieces and nephews that you never want to forget, especially when they're younger.

Preserve some of these memories in a time capsule and enjoy them later, maybe after your special kids are all grown up and are reaching adult milestones.

Here's how to make your time capsule:

1. Choose a container. If you plan to bury your time capsule outside, make sure the container is watertight. If you're going to hide it in the back of a closet, a fancy box, lidded basket or even a duffel bag will do.

2. Gather memorabilia. Collect all the items you'd like to put into the capsule - photos, tickets from places you went together, drawings, maybe even a newspaper or other document that would show the passage of time. Ask your nieces and nephews what they'd like to contribute.

3. Throw a party. Most ceremonial time capsules are both closed and opened with pomp and circumstance - why should yours be any different, Auntie? Have your nieces and nephews over and serve their favorite snacks. Have everyone display the items they brought, and have each person explain why he or she chose those objects to add to the capsule.

If you have an instant camera or a photo printer, take photos of each person on the day you dedicate your capsule and include these inside. Don't forget a group shot!

4. Think about a date when you might want to open the capsule again. Maybe your nieces and nephews have opinions on this subject; maybe they don't. But agree in advance on what you'll do when the time comes to open it again.

5. Close the capsule. When you're ready to close the capsule, take it to its resting place and explain the rules - no peeking!!

6. Open the capsule. At some future date, gather your nieces and nephews and open the capsule together. Have fun sharing your memories of a long, long time ago!

Melanie Linn Gutowski, Savvy Auntie's Associate Editor, is a proud Godmother and ABC.