Journal Your Christmas Giveaway

I am simplifying by shifting the focus away from the materialistic aspects...inviting girlfriends over for tea instead of purchasing gifts, game night with my siblings - that kind of thing.

My Christmas is always family-centered, we have a lot of traditions that we love, but those traditions are not documented anywhere. My plan this year is to spend some of that time we have together having everyone share their favorite memories of these traditions and how they've evolved over the years so we have this in the future.

I'm going to concentrate less on buying the perfect gifts and more on spending time with loved ones and making memories that will be cherished forever. This is what Christmas should be like every year.

I am super excited to be doing the december daily -I went to the LSS today and just can't wait to get the album ready for december 1-- I am not a great journaler and I always feel like I need to document the little conversations etc and never remember them when the time comes- so this season I am sure my 6 year old twins will be excited and I want to make sure I don't miss any of their little phrases! It will be neat to go back and read the journal and look at the pics!

I want to say no to the things that take time but don't have any lasting value...the older I get (and my children get) the more family and celebrating with them mean to me. Our family loves games - this year I'd love to have several nights of game time with the five of us home, just enjoying being together.

Sane or crazy holidays, it doesn't matter as long as I'm with the people I love.

I've decided to go with the flow. My husband has been laid off for almost 2 years and I have come to realize that things are not what is important. So I will be making more of my gifts this year. I want to live in the moment and enjoy the experience and no the stuff.

Make lists and get shopping done before Thanksgiving... as much as possible.

I'm going to stay sane by keeping Christmas simple. I've been making little mini books to give to family and friends this season instead of spending money on meaningless gifts. Christmas is about family and friends and that's what's going to keep me sane. :)

I am making my Christmas more sane by completing as many task as possible in advance. I am trying to be done with my shopping by Thanksgiving so I can enjoy the Christmas season without the hustle and bustle of shopping.

We will be in the midst of moving in early December, so for me this year it really is about "going with the flow" and just enjoying the "newness" of everything around me. I'm really not going to add very many expectations into the holiday season. It really is about enjoying having my kids home and rejoicing in their presence and the presence of God wrapped around me.

I really like the idea of the Christmas Daily journal...this should help me keep a little more organized and on top of things when you have to think about your day to day.

Hoping to spend Christmas with my only daughter in her new studio apartment in CT. She's very excited as I am. Thanks for your generosity.

All of my shopping is done. Most of my presents are wrapped. I feel like I can just enjoy each moment without having to worry about finding the perfect something for each person on my list. Now to figure out the design for my cards!

I plan to relax and enjoy the joys of the season. I am doing some planning ahead, but I've also cut back on some things that are not that important.

I will find cookie recipes that have doughs that are freezable. All I need to do is pop the dough out of the freezer, and place on a cookie sheet. This will keep my kitchen clean during the holiday season of frequent gatherings. It will also help for the times of those unexpected visitors.

To me, celebrating the season is about seeing the joy & meaning of the holiday through my daughter's eyes. I've already made a plan to make sure she is FIRST! I'm hoping that in itself will make things simpler! (a girl can dream!)
Thank you so much for a chance at a wonderful giveaway- you are such an inspiration!

Can't wait to celebrate this holiday season. It's my baby's first Christmas and there will be lots to document!
Shannon :)

To make the season a little more sane, I'm going to start with everything now instead of waiting till the last minute. (Hopefully that works.) :)

I am always so pushed for time, I really try to write my lists and keep to them. I would love to at least document December photographically this year...trying to capture some of that craziness!