A guided Life Story gift
When your parent says they don’t need anything, you still want to give something that feels personal. A way to say, “I’m interested in your life. I’d love to hear more of your story.”
With a Life Story gift, your parent answers thoughtful questions and brings their memories together in a digital book they can review and share.
For a parent who would enjoy sharing their memories.
Perhaps they enjoy telling you about their childhood, or often say they should write things down. This gives you a way to encourage that wish and show them you would enjoy reading what they have to say.
Offer it as an invitation. They choose the memories they want to share.
An example, before you decide
Fictional example to illustrate the process.
01 / A question to begin
02 / A few words in reply
We have birthday breakfast outside, even in the cold. My mother started it because indoors she’d keep getting up to do the dishes. Outside she could sit with us. I still use her blue teapot. The children bring blankets.
Birthday breakfast in our family happens outside, even in the cold. My mother started it because, indoors, she would keep getting up to do the dishes. Outside, she could sit with us. I still use her blue teapot, and the children bring blankets.
The family knows the birthday breakfast. Now they can also hear why their grandmother took it outside.
Read a little of someone’s life.
Read a sample Life StoryFrom our example Life Story book, a different story from the demonstration above.
Two ways to tell a story
We suggest guided Life Story for your parent’s gift. And if their stories bring back memories you want to share yourself, there is a place to begin those, too.
A good place to start
For a parent who would enjoy telling their story, thoughtful questions can bring back memories you might never have known to ask about.
Your parent answers the questions and chooses what to share.
Give a Life StoryFor your own stories
You may have stories you’d like to tell your own family, too. Begin with one memory, in your words, with optional questions when you want a little help.
Each story can stand on its own. You choose what comes next.
Explore Tell It Your WayLife Story packages and Tell It Your Way have separate access and free-start options.
Choose a Life Story package for your parent. They receive an email voucher explaining how to redeem it and begin.
Your parent answers in their own words, adds photos and reviews their chapters. They can take it a little at a time within their package period.
When they’re happy with their story, they can download their digital book and share it with you. What they share is their choice.
Choose the space for their story
Choose a package for your parent to tell their story. Each includes thoughtful questions, space for photos, chapters they can review, and a digital book they can share with the family.
R299 once-off
6 chapters · 6 months to complete
Up to 3 Circle members .
R499 once-off
10 chapters · 12 months to complete
Up to 5 Circle members .
R899 once-off
13 chapters · Unlimited time to complete your chapters
Up to 10 Circle members . Includes a separate 3-month review window after all chapters are complete.
Paid Life Story packages include a 30-day money-back guarantee if fewer than 3 chapters have been completed, including the Prologue.
Give a Life StoryDownloadable digital book. Physical printing and shipping are not included. Read the terms and refund policy.
It is a good fit for someone who enjoys sharing memories or has said they would like to tell their story. They will answer questions and review their chapters. If you’re unsure, show them the example and ask whether this is something they would enjoy.
They receive an email voucher with instructions for redeeming the Life Story package you chose. Once they’ve redeemed it, they can start answering the questions and bringing their memories together.
Moments: 6 months to complete; Memories: 12 months to complete; Legacy: Unlimited time to complete your chapters. Includes a separate 3-month review window after all chapters are complete..
Yes. They review their chapters, make changes within their package’s writing and review periods, and decide what to share. Giving the gift doesn’t mean you automatically see their unfinished writing.
You receive a downloadable digital book to keep and share. Physical printing and shipping are not included. If you later change the stories in your book, review the contents and download a new copy.
An invitation to share
Give your parent an invitation to share their story with the people who want to hear it.
Give a Life StoryFor a parent who would enjoy sharing their memories.
