A guided Life Story gift
You’ve seen the photograph many times. You know who is in it. But you’d love to hear your parent tell you about that day—what was happening, how they felt, and why they remember it.
With a Life Story gift, your parent answers questions and adds photos, bringing the stories behind the pictures into a digital book they can review and share.
For a parent who would enjoy sharing their memories.
You might remember the house in the background or recognise a favourite outfit. Your parent might remember something quite different: the excitement of a move, a private worry, or what someone said just before everyone smiled.
Begin with a picture you’re curious about. Ask them what they remember.
An example, before you decide
Fictional example to illustrate the process.
01 / A question to begin
02 / A few words in reply
Our neighbour took that on the Sunday before we moved. I was nervous about leaving the only home the children knew. Then my little boy asked if his new bedroom would have the same moon outside. That’s why we were smiling.
Our neighbour took this photograph on the Sunday before we moved. I was nervous about leaving the only home the children knew. Then our little boy asked whether his new bedroom would have the same moon outside. That was what made us smile.
The photograph shows the smiles. The parent’s words tell the family what else that day held.
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.
Start by asking your parent what they remember. Even a name, a place or a small detail can give you something to talk about. The story comes from their memories; Learn About Me cannot recover unknown facts from the picture.
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 a way to share what they remember, in their own words.
Give a Life StoryFor a parent who would enjoy sharing their memories.
