Can I write the message for the recipient?
Yes. You can write a personal note, or leave space for them to add their own words. The message-writing guide includes examples to adapt.
A message in a bottle gift
A message bottle can begin with a handwritten note, a shared memory or a question for a stranger. The recipient chooses the message, and the bottle number gives future discoveries a place to be recorded.
Choose the kind of gift you want to give
For someone who likes writing, leave the note blank and include a prompt. For a shared occasion, write the first lines together and date the message. For a family project, invite everyone to contribute a question or a small drawing.
You do not need an elaborate story. A few details about the day or the people writing can make a note memorable.
Three ways to make it personal
- A birthday time capsule: write what life is like today and one hope for the year ahead.
- A shared memory: describe a place you visited together and why it matters to you.
- A question for a stranger: ask about their favourite view or the sound they woke up to.
Decide who will follow the journey
Let the recipient know whether the bottle has been registered. If it has not, they can connect the number to their own account. Keep the instructions and bottle number together.
Browse public journeys together before starting. This makes it clear what an update can look like and why there may be a long wait between reports.
Before buying
The physical bottle is sold through Downhome; check its listing for current pricing, contents and delivery options. The website records discoveries when finders submit them.
A bottle may not be found or reported. Give it as an open-ended experience, with the handwritten message and shared preparation as part of the gift itself.
Your questions, answered
Should I register it first?
Decide who will manage the journey. Letting the recipient register the bottle connects it to their account. If it is already registered, explain that before handing it over.
Will it reach another country?
There is no guaranteed route, destination or discovery date. Recorded finds depend on what happens to the bottle and whether a finder reports it.