What I Learned from Surveying Scrapbookers in 2025

A Look at Habits, Emotions, and Why We Keep at It

A few weeks ago, I ran a survey to get a better understanding of the scrapbooking community—who’s doing it, how they’re doing it, and why they keep coming back to this craft. I expected to learn a few things, but what came back was a rich set of responses from experienced, passionate scrapbookers.

Yes, every respondent was a woman, and nearly all of them had been scrapbooking for more than 15 years. But even as a male scrapbooker, I saw reflections of my own habits and motivations in their responses. Scrapbooking, it turns out, is less about demographics and more about mindset. The core values—preserving memories, creative expression, finding calm—are shared across the board.

Here’s what stood out.

👥 Who Took the Survey?

Most of the participants were women aged 55 and up, with decades of scrapbooking experience under their belts. Their stories reflect time spent documenting family history, special trips, and day-to-day life before smartphones turned everything digital. These are not casual crafters. They are memory-keepers and story-builders.

They came from all over the U.S.—Wisconsin, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, and more. That tells me the draw of this craft isn’t regional or trendy. It’s lasting, and it’s everywhere.

🛠 Still Going Strong with Traditional Tools

Every respondent identified as a traditional scrapbooker—meaning paper, albums, adhesives, scissors, and stacks of patterned paper. No digital, no hybrid. Just hands-on work.

They gravitate toward full-sized albums, typically 12×12 or 8.5×11. A few mix in single-page layouts. The point is, they’re building something physical—something that stays, something you can hold.

Even in an age of apps and cloud storage, this group is sticking with tried-and-true methods. There’s a lesson in that.

📅 How Often? Depends on Life

When it comes to how often people scrapbook, answers ranged from a few times a week to a few times a year. The frequency wasn’t as consistent, but the dedication was. When they do carve out the time, most people spend 1 to 4 hours per session, with some stretching that to 5+ hours.

It’s not just about finding time—it’s about protecting it. One recurring comment was “I wish I had more time.” I think we all relate to that.

📍 Most Scrapbooking Happens at Home

As expected, the majority scrapbook at home. Some do meet up with friends, and a few attend crops or events. But for the most part, this is a home-based activity—something that happens in a dedicated room, at the kitchen table, or wherever there’s space.

Even when done solo, though, the feedback showed people still crave connection—whether it’s through online groups, forums, or sharing finished pages with others.

🎯 What Kicks Off a New Project?

Special events were by far the most common trigger—vacations, weddings, birthdays, grandkids being born. But there were other sparks too: personal milestones, seasonal themes, and new product inspiration. Basically, when something meaningful happens, these scrapbookers are ready to tell that story.

💡 Why They Keep Doing It

I asked, “Why do you scrapbook?” and the answers hit home:

• To preserve memories
• To relax and de-stress
• To express creativity
• To create gifts for others

That mix of legacy and creativity really came through. It’s about remembering the past, but also enjoying the process of building something meaningful in the present.

When asked what emotions they feel while scrapbooking, the top responses were joy, nostalgia, calm, pride, love, and excitement. That says a lot. This isn’t just a hobby—it’s a positive emotional outlet.

💬 Community Still Matters

Every respondent said they follow scrapbooking content online—especially on Facebook and Pinterest. Many are also active in forums or groups. Among those who participate in online communities, most said the community aspect is extremely important.

And I get it. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, troubleshooting a layout, or just want to know someone else gets what it means to spend 45 minutes choosing the right paper background—community matters.

🧷 What Scrapbooking Means to Them

In the open-ended responses, people used words like:

• “Favorite hobby”
• “Creativity, family, and fun”
• “It’s relaxing”
• “It means preserving what matters”

One comment really stood out:
“People don’t print photos for albums anymore. This keeps those memories alive.”

That’s it, right there. Scrapbooking keeps memories out of the cloud and in your hands.

🧰 What Could Make It Better?

The most common wish? More time.

Other requests:

• More local scrapbook stores
• More in-person opportunities
• And a few folks said honestly: “Nothing. I love it as is.”

Final Thoughts

Reading through these responses reminded me that scrapbooking is less about what tools we use and more about why we do it. Whether you’re using vintage Creative Memories templates or cutting-edge Cricut tools, the goal is the same: capture moments that matter.

This community is mostly female. That’s just the reality, and I respect that. But for guys like me who scrapbook too, know this: you’re not alone. You’re part of a thoughtful, creative, and memory-driven group of people. If you’ve ever questioned whether this space is for you, let me say it plainly—it is.

If you’d like to take the survey or share it with others, it’s still open here.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. What motivates you to scrapbook?

Categories: Articles

Tagged as: creative, Cricut, demographics, design, ideas, MASCrapping, masculine scrapbooking, reasons, ScrapBook, scrapbooks for men, survey, who scrapbooks, why