Courtesy of Ice Milk Aprons

Let me be honest: creating a thoughtful family heirloom is not as easy as I’d like. In my case, it’s particularly challenging ever since I realized that I’m more sentimental than some of the family that precedes me. Call me a sap. Go ahead.

My “oma” or grandmother was super conscientious and aware of “things,” leaving each of her grandchildren specific pieces of jewelry, books and papers. My mother, on the other hand…not so interested. She would rather have a long conversation about a great memory than commemorate it with an object. Nothing wrong with that, but maybe I want to mix things up.

Family heirlooms obviously come in all shapes and sizes, but where are most family stories and ideas shared? THE KITCHEN. There are some scholars who actually study food or “foodways” as a means to further understand a culture or region’s gender roles, ethnic ideas, holidays, family structure. For example, my mother was born in El Salvador to German Jewish parents. As refugees from Germany, my grandparents were eager to acculturate, faithfully learning (and integrating) recipes and customs from their adopted nation. Yet they couldn’t ignore their childhood and background, especially in culinary terms. Enter Example A: Friday shabbat dinners of challah, tortillas con frijoles and platanos. This fusion became my mother’s cuisine and, in essence, my own. Point made.

As I grow into my role of family chef, I’ve quickly realized that my own food culture and identity is something I’d like to document. I want to create my own family heirloom. Never satisfied with just a tchotchke, I want it to be practical, something I can actually use. In my search for something useful + sentimental, I came across sheer brilliance: the heirloom apron. Now, I love a beautiful apron as much as the next person…but this is a way to make it mine and uniquely mine….so much mine that I could possibly pass it on?

Courtesy of Ice Milk Aprons

In walks Ashley Leckey of Georgia-based Ice Milk Aprons. Inspired by her grandmother Cele, Ashley designed and developed her beautiful apron with Cele at her side. The designs are simple and elegant, and come with an optional yet meaningful twist. Heirloom kits come with a cloth tag, one on which you’re supposed to needlepoint the names or initials of your food inspiration, whether it’s a family member or a friend or maybe someone you’ve never actually met. (I think Julie would probably needlepoint in Julia Child’s initials, no?). The kit also includes recipe cards on which you can jot down your favorite recipes or tips–altogether creating perfect pieces of kitchen lore for generations to come. Ashley’s idea to add the heirlooming feature makes the aprons more than a passing fashionista phase.

Courtesy of Ice Milk Aprons

People call Ice Milk’s hotline quite frequently, recounting their ideas or hashing out design details. Ashley says the calls are usually infused with a mix of excitement and a dash of true feeling. The ability to create an heirloom, consciously and thoughtfully, strikes me as quite empowering. Often accidental remembrances are wonderful but in the case of documenting kitchen triumphs and disasters (as well as life’s own), there’s nothing like receiving a story you can actually hold with both hands.

Courtesy of Ice Milk Aprons