Light Switch Time Capsule

Send a letter to the future occupants of your home!

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I get nostalgic when I move out of a home, especially if it's one I've lived in awhile. Leaving a secret treasure or two, stashed here and there, seems to help me get closure. Unlike, say, dropping a note down inside the wall, a note on the back of a switch plate is likely to be found sooner or later, but not right away. I've included a PDF template with a tiny font that makes it easy to fit a 500-word message on the back of a standard light switch plate.

Update: Thanks to reader Cornflower who created an OpenOffice version of the template for those of you who prefer it. Also, his version automatically wraps text across the openings!

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Add Note Edit Step 1 — Write message  ¶ 

  • Write your note to the future in your text editor of choice. The template should accept about 500 words.

  • Be sure to include the date!

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Add Note Edit Step 2 — Copy, paste, and format text  ¶ 

  • In your text editor, select all text, and copy it to the clipboard.

  • Open the PDF template attached to this project in Adobe Reader, click on the form, and paste the text into the single field.

  • Try as I might, I couldn't figure out how to make the form text wrap around the screw and switch holes in the template. So you'll have to space your text around them manually using the space bar.

  • Thanks to reader Cornflower, who produced an OpenOffice version of this template that automatically wraps text across the holes. See link above.

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Add Note Edit Step 3 — Print template  ¶ 

  • Open the print dialogue in Adobe Reader.

  • Make sure "Print Scaling" is set to "None."

  • Print the PDF onto a full-page, adhesive-backed mailing label.

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Add Note Edit Step 4 — Cut out label  ¶ 

  • Use a hobby knife with a straightedge to cut around the perimeter of the template, and to cut out the switch hole.

  • Use the knife free-hand to cut out the circular holes for the mounting screws.

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Add Note Edit Step 5 — Remove plate  ¶ 

  • If the plate is sealed in place with paint, first cut through the paint around the edge with a hobby knife.

  • Remove the screws from the light switch plate and set them aside.

  • The plate should come off the wall with very little prying. If it appears stuck, check again for a bead of paint around the edge.

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Add Note Edit Step 6 — Apply label  ¶ 

  • Remove the backing from the cut-out label and set it aside.

  • Carefully apply the label to the back of the switch plate, being sure to avoid wrinkles.

  • Smooth the label down using the waxy side of the scrap backing; this will help to prevent smearing the ink or toner.

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Add Note Edit Step 7 — Reinstall plate  ¶ 

  • Put the plate back in place over the switch.

  • Insert the screws and tighten down.

For more information, check out the Paper Crafts category page.

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Guide Add Note

I went hard-core, and put a small time capsule under 2" of concrete patch in the corner of the basement during a recent reno... It's well marked, but someone is going to have to be interested enough to break and repair the floor to get it. :D

Suggestion: I asked that the opener mention uncovering the package on the Internet (or whatever it becomes) with a specific, searchable phrase... Once I move on, I can occasionally Google for it, and see if it's been opened.

Brian, · Reply

There was in our flat an inactive socket with red tape, and the vendor just said it was out of use. When we had someone in for various electrical jobs, we had then remove the socket. There was no hole for any cables in the wall behind, and no cabling or electrical connections. There was however a little folded up/rolled up piece of paper with some strange scrawl on it.

We weren't able to find out what it was or meant, and didn't keep it. I really should have taken a scan of it though...

Danny Staple, · Reply

only slightly flammable. I've done similar with all projects I've done on my house. I did the same on the bottom of boiler tanks in USCG Icebreaker I was on.

Chris Heenan, · Reply

This is a cute idea, but a definite fire hazard... if not for you, then for that person further down the line that this is for the benefit of.

Light switches work by creating a spark. This is why the gas board tell you not to turn them on during any suspected gas leak. Putting something flammable in behind the plate isn't a great idea... It would be best to find somewhere that doesn't pose any fire risk to hide notes.

Whilst you might be prepared to accept the risks, others might care more if the paper catches. I know I'd be livid if I found my house had burned down because someone stuck paper behind the light switch... however crafty and cute it may have seemed to be at the time.

Ailie, · Reply

If I paint a bathroom I usually leave a small message with the date behind the mirror! I've also painted a short note and date on a dresser that I painted for my son while we were living in Germany and my husband was deployed to Iraq.

Jackie, · Reply