Journal Your Christmas Giveaway
The first time I did any sort of journal/creative adventure during the holiday season was Shimelle Laine's Journal Your Christmas back in 2005 (check out my December 2005 archives for more).
My experience in Shimelle's workshop inspired me to create my first December Daily in 2007 that was published in my Studio A column in Creating Keepsakes magazine. The main differences being that I set up the structure of my album in advance (trying to keep it simple) and that I wanted to focus on documenting the daily activities over the course of the 25 days leading up to Christmas without specific prompts.
Over the last couple of years there have been lots of people that have combined the two concepts - creating a foundation in advance and using Shimelle's prompts as guides for page topics and inspiration.
It's a creative adventure I highly recommend so I thought it would be fitting to give away a spot to Shimelle's class this week.
One person and a friend of their choice will recieve a spot in Shimelle Laine's fabulous Journal Your Christmas online workshop.
Journal your Christmas is an online class that takes you right through the Christmas season, from the 1st of December to the 6th of January - the twelfth day of Christmas. Through 37 full colour prompts that arrive in your inbox daily, you'll be inspired by topics that let you enjoy this year's celebrations while reliving your very favourite Christmas memories, and you'll have plenty of ideas for making your pages with hundreds of beautiful examples from a variety of scrappers.
Instead of letting the holidays run you, a Christmas journal has helped many women take back their Christmas so they can enjoy and celebrate the magic of Christmas. Other class benefits include a printable Christmas planner, digital and printable supplies designed exclusively for class and a bonus guide to improving your Christmas photographs including easy-to-use tips from dozens of professional photographers.
To be entered into the giveaway please leave a comment below sharing how you plan to create a more sane holiday season (or more crazy if that's what you need). Comments will be closed on Thursday at 8pm Pacific with the winners posted shortly after.
I am about to have twins (due 12/15) so I know my holidays will be simplified just by knowing that caring for newborns will limit what we can do. I am looking forward to an intimate Christmas season with immediate family and the new babies!
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Lists and budgeting...hope it helps!
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We are planning to spend Christmas morning at home, just the four of us. It will give us a more relaxed start to the day as well as some precious time alone with the kids.
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Since I work in retail, I both love and hate the holidays at the same time. I have found that 1) lists are my friends, 2)if I involve my husband in the planning of our holiday friends party--he helps out more, and 3)try to only do my favorite traditions. I have some of my creative gifts done already! Woo Hoo!
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I plan to create a more sane holiday season by writing down little notes of what I did each day, so even if I can't write down a full description of the day I can remember for later.
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I am going to have a new baby in the next couple of weeks, so I doubt my holidays are going to be anything but crazy, however, I'm planning on relaxing and just enjoying it all... no matter how many days the child keeps me up :)
xoxo,
christen
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hey ali! i'm really excited this christmas because its the first one where handmade presents are goin to be involved. i really have become obsessed with making things lately and i think its making me a more happier person. this holiday season on making more lists, more daily planning, and just going to try and focus on family and friends. i want to document the fun things and the little stuff that people don't always recongize. i am joining in on december daily and i would love to win a spot in the online class. way fun! thanks
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My plan to make Christmas more sane is to start sooner with everything. I'm planning to go ahead and decorate before Thanksgiving too.
Sara :)
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our goal is to not get caught up in the whirlwind of the holidays. we plan on decorating more simply, buying fewer gifts, and enjoying each other more.
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Not only am I going to start and complete my December Daily 2009 .... I am going to simplify and create a calendar of the "want to completes".... for the holidays, hopefully that will help streamline my crazy schedule and help me with some focus! Thanks for the inspiration!
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We're moving a week after Christmas, which means most of the house will be packed up, and not an inch of it will be decorated this year. I'm not sure if I'll be able to keep my sanity this year, but I do plan on enjoying the season regardless. In prep for the combo holiday season/move, I'm hoping to have only the essentials, like packing tape, sharpies, and hot chocolate.
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I'm going to get as much as I can done before December and then just relax and enjoy the season...no pressure!
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Prior Planning !! I want to have as much done before the 'season' as possible, that way I can simply enjoy the time with my family....With a toddler, I am more excited about this X-mas than I have ever been, so excited to make some memories.
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Almost finished all the christmas gifts, plan to get them wrapped in the next 2 week s- so life is good and organized this year
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I'm looking forward to making the holiday season crazier but in a good way! It is our first Christmas as a newly married couple in our new home so there are plenty of milestones to celebrate. We'll also be hosting Christmas eve dinner for both of our families - and I've never cooked a family feast before. It sounds daunting but I'm looking forward to it all!
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I usually dread the Christmas craziness, but looking at your December Daily album has been such an encouragement and I am actually looking forward to December this year. I'm going to create a December album and am getting started on it this week.
Thanks, Ali, for all the inspiration you share with us!
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I want to keep it simple! Mostly organized! I'm so far behind in gift planning this year...I just started our list and am planning on making it simple and homemade. The best times and memories are the ones when we are all together...making cookies, decorating gingerbread (graham cracker) houses, having fun at home. I'm saying "no" to lots of parties and gatherings and planning on staying home with the family!
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I plan on finishing my shopping before Thanksgiving so that I can spend more time enjoying the holiday season!
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My sister and I have both made a goal to scrapbook this year and I think that the only way that I will be able to keep up with my goal is to plan ahead and be more organized. My husband and I have 11 children (& spouses) and 16 grandchildren and I am also making scrapbooks for each family of their childhoods. I need all the help I can get. I am determined to be in the holiday and play more with the grandchildren. Happy Holidays!
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Mostly, I just want to remember it all...life has had some big changes in the last couple of years and the days-even special ones like Christmas-have blurred. A journaling class like this would help the 3 of us left remember what good things we have. Karen
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I actually want to make my x mas a bit crazier this year. I have stayed out of the fray for far too long and I really want to focus on making some quality tradtions with my sweetheart that i feel we will want to look back on years from now. this meals making a nice schedule of local events far in advance and really priorotizing so i dont get overwhlemed!
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This will be my first true holiday after 17 years in retail. The daily book seems like the best way to be sure I focus on what matters and to savor the little things- I can't wait!
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I have started my spring / summer clean out here in Australia, little things like organising & sorting out my supplies. I am going to do the December daily album this year & am very excited. I feel more creative when I am organised so that had to be done first - do I sound crazy? As far as actual Christmas, I love the busy lead up with lots of fun social activites so wouldn't have it any other way! Marianne Pollock
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I plan to just enjoy the moments and not get caught up in the rush... Last year we were expecting our baby girl, were actually in the hospital, and released on Christmas Day, so this year I want to just relax and enjoy. I hope to get some home made gifts done and do some baking (I saw the cutest cake pan - it make individial train cars! And am considering getting it to start a yearly tradition).
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This holiday season I plan to take things slowly and plan! I plan to start decorating shortly and keep it simple. Spreading out the work should make it a little saner. I just want to enjoy the holidays ... not feel rushed.
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