How to Make a Family Cookbook

Things You’ll Need:

Recipes from family members

Family photos

Computer

Printer and Scanner

Collect recipes and photos from your family members. A good way to do this is to type up a letter and address it to your entire family and mail it to them. This way, you don't have to worry about forgetting someone or what you have told them. Explain what you are doing and why. Ask for three to four recipes for each category. You can also tell them to write a comment about why this recipe is a favorite or tell a story about the recipe in general. Have your family to send a few photos that you can choose from to add to the cookbook . You can also write a story about each family member. I have added a link to a example letter at the bottom. Follow that link and scroll down the page. It is listed as "Family Cookbook Example Letter".

After you have collected all the recipes you can choose to alphabetize them. This is only an option. Make a list of all the recipes you received under each category, such as Desserts, Side dishes, etc. This will make it easier for you to keep track of your recipes. You don't want to leave any out.

Now it is time to start typing. You need to type all your recipes in a category and save in one file. It will be easier to print and to format your pages. When you are typing your recipes, add the stories and comments your family members gave you at the top of each recipe.

Photos are a great addition to a family cookbook. You can add them on the pages with your recipes, or you can have a separate page for photos only. Make sure to note who is in the photo. This will be helpful to the next generations who might not know or recognize them.

Make title pages for each category. You can add clip art, your own drawings, photos of your family, or photos of food. Don't forget to make an index page. And, you might want to consider a dedication page also. For example, you might want to dedicate it to your grandmother, mother or your entire family. This is a wonderful touch to your cookbook.

After you are done typing all of your information you have a few choices of how to print it and make your cookbook. * You can print it off yourself using your printer. * You can print off a copy of the entire book , put it in the order you want it, and send it to your local printing store. * You can also take it to a larger company such as Staples. * Another way is to have it published through a cookbook publisher. These are very nice, but can be expensive. Most of these companies require that you purchase at least 100 copies. * You also have the choice of designing your own cookbook online. Lulu will print your cookbook and there is no quantity required to purchase. Also, with Lulu you have the option to sell your cookbook and make a profit.

• Example Letter to reqest recipes
• Lulu
• Morris Cookbooks
• Heritage Cookbooks