Giving the gift of legacy is a simple process that provides a lifetime of memories.
Here is how it works:
Purchase the Gift: Select the "Gift MyStories" option on our website. You will be prompted to choose a one-year subscription package.
Enter Recipient Details: Provide the name and email address of the person receiving the gift.
Schedule the Surprise: You can choose to have the gift email sent immediately, or you can schedule it for a specific future date (such as a birthday, holiday, or anniversary).
Add a Personal Message: You'll have the option to include a custom note that will appear in their invitation email.
Flexible Activation: One of the best benefits of a MyStories gift is that there is no rush. Your recipient’s one-year membership only begins when they choose to activate it, not on the date of your purchase. This makes it the perfect "low-pressure" gift for busy loved ones.
Tracking the Progress: Once your loved one activates their gift and starts writing, you will receive a notification. At the end of the year, they will have the option to print their stories into a beautiful keepsakes book.
To give MyStories as a gift, follow the steps below:
1. Get started
Visit mystories.com and click 'Get Started'.
Choose 'Someone else' as the storyteller.
Enter your information and the Storyteller’s (recipient’s) details. You then schedule when the gift will be sent and include a personalized greeting for special occasions.
2. Complete payment
Follow the on screen instructions on the screen to complete your payment.
A membership includes one year of weekly questions and one hardcover book, with the option to purchase extra copies.
After your purchase: The recipient will get a welcome email on the chosen date, including your personal message and instructions on how to get started.
Should you wish to edit a gift invitation (before it’s been sent), or resend an invitation email (if it hasn’t yet been accepted), please click here for further instructions.
3. Filling your book with your stories
The first question is sent the day after the recipient’s welcome email.
Weekly prompts arrive via email— the storyteller simply replies to the email with text and upload photos if they'd like.
Storytellers can choose how often they receive MyStories emails (the default is once a week), or turn them off completely. This setting is only available to the storyteller, not to someone who purchased MyStories as a gift for them.
Alternatively, they can visit their dashboard on MyStories.com at any time to answer the questions there.
Both you - the purchaser and gift recipient (Storyteller) - can manage questions—add, edit, reorder—via your dashboard on the website. Every time the recipient responds, you get an automated update via email.
You can find further information in this article: How do I create a MyStories Book?
4. Editing and customizing
Once stories are submitted, the storyteller can edit and customize their Story:
5. Preview and Print
A full PDF preview of the book is available.
The storyteller can customize the cover—colors, photo, title, byline.
After final review, they can print the book.
You can find out more about the previewing and printing the book here: How will my MyStories book be delivered and what do I receive?
For an overview of all FAQ articles related to MyStories, click here.