Journal Your Christmas Giveaway

I decided this year to get one thing done at a time, and wrote a list of everything needed. I have managed to buy all but two Christmas presents now (last two being purchased this weekend). Now I can focus on making cards and wrapping paper, then its planning meals for Christmas day. I have even ordered the meat for the main meal of the day! I am mostly looking forward to enjoying Christmas day with my 14 month old and family.

Ali, I'm planning to make Christmas cards earlier (meaning now) to give away to friends and family. Over the last couple of years, I have been making them as I go, and it just didn't work.
Thanks for the giveaway!

We're keeping things simple and enjoying the "little things" in order to focus more on the big thing-- the reason we celebrate Christmas in the first place. It isn't about presents (we're doing name exchanges w/ friends and family to avoid long lists and budget-blowing shopping, just one special gift to buy). To get into this mind frame, I'm actually working on a November "Thankful" album with my family- each of us names one thing we are thankful for each day, and I'll include a picture for the layout. The things that matter are already shining through, only 4 days in :)

I have slowly decreased my gift list over the years. Deciding to spend more time together than money on each other.

I've already sent Christmas gifts to family up in Indiana...but that didn't really help....I need more time to shop and get things together for family here in Florida and get a flight to visit/etc.....Christmas seems so far away- but it is right around the corner!

I love the busy chaos during Christmas! We're busy but it's a rewarding and fun busy.....I personally wouldn't change a thing. xoxoxoxo OH and HAPPY BIRTHDAY YOU!!!

I start early - get the big cleaning done, the menus planned, the shopping done. Then I simplify. I don't schedule every night with a party, I don't send out as many Christmas cards, I don't make as many cookies. Seriously, it's much more fun to do a half batch of cookies than a double batch. Then I don't feel the need to eat them all, either. ;)

My plan is to keep things simple by just not allowing the season to control my days. I always want to keep Christ the center of our Christmas Season and remember Him and not all the commercial hoopla. I also want to focus on what matters; family, friends, time at home playing, watching Christmas movies, baking and making homemade presents. Something I hope my son will realize and follow all of his years ahead. Thank you for a wonderful present.

My plan to is to have less stress by planning ahead and thinking about what's really important. Hopefully it'll work lol
Jenn Z.

New to this craft, and now that my youngest son is a Senior, I would love to "Journal My Christmas" as this is truly the last stage of this season in our lives. I need all the help and structure I can get to complete such a task.

To make my Christmas more special and exciting, I am going to try to do something Christmassy every day of December to make sure I don't waste a single day!

I want to have a charlie brown christmas tree this year. I want to get the tree from our land and put our faily ornaments on. I so can't wait. Thanks for the giveaway!!

This year I'll progam better my events to have a less hectic xmas.

My daughter's birthday is on December 16 which just adds more to the craziness in our house around the holidays. I'm trying to get my birthday shopping for her done ahead of time as well as planning what I want to get people for Christmas so that I'm not wondering what to get people a week before Christmas!

we just bought our first home...so it will truly be just all about family & enjoying each other instead of the commercial part of xmas...looking forward to following along with the december daily for the 2nd year...thank you for great inspiration Ali!

planning ahead - that always helps my sanity :)

I've already started! I've done most of my Christmas shopping already. And most of what I have left I intend to be handmade gifts/crafts from my 2 year old. So that way I'll make sure to get some fun and memorable one on one time with him at the same time! That's something that can be scarce this time of year.

I want my house to be beautiful, cozy, warm and full of good memories and traditions. I want to be "in the moment" because life is always changing and I don't want to miss anything. I want to be more even-tempered and less stressed!

Flylady Flylady Flylady!!!! :) Thanks for the fun giveaway and your endless inspiration!!

We started planning a while ago for gifts and such so that December would not be so crazy. We're also limiting the number of parties and events we're attending so that we can just spend some quality time together as a family. We also decided to compromise on Christmas travel and are staying home alone for Christmas and heading to West to see family only after Christmas for a few days. I'm really looking forward to getting back to basics this holiday season!

I chose my little word for this year - FAMILY and so far sticking with it for 100%! :) So I plan to enjoy the ones I love the most during Christmas as much as possible. I also plan (and do it every year) to have all Christmas shopping done by the end of November so then we all can relax and enjoy the special time together at home, baking with kids, decorating our house and just having a relaxing joyful time together.
Thank you for the chance to win, Ali. I've never done any project like this before and would love to try it for the first time!

Oh me, oh my...what a fun class...count me in (thanks for the chance), and I have the perfect person to share it with!
Jamie :)

I hope to plan ahead so I can ENJOY shopping, wrapping and decorating. Instead of doing everything at the last minute.

My sis-in-law and I always go shopping for Christmas gifts together. We always remind ourselves before we get to the mall that there are going to be huge lines, that it's going to be insane. But that we are not in a rush. (or so we tell ourselves so that we can a have a positive and uplifting attitude to the store employees and other shoppers we run into). I would say that helps makes the holidays a little less stressful.

With the tough financial times for everyone most of our families have decided not to exchange gifts but instead to make a family contribution to a local charity. I feel this is a wonderful way to give back and not feel the pressures of gift giving. I'm looking forward to our many holiday traditions, including cookie baking, a gift wrapping party, watching movie favorites like National Lampoons Christmas and A Christmas Story and just celebrating the season of the birth of Jesus Christ! the reason for the season!