Journal Your Christmas Giveaway

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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.

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1193 thoughts

  1. mariana says…
    11/05/2009

    black friday shopping. one crazy day= a breeze till the xmas holida. and its lots of fun with my fav girl friends. mariana

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  2. Deiga says…
    11/05/2009

    I've been thinking alot about that very question - because the last couple of years, I haven't enjoyed the season because it was too hectic, went by too fast, etc. So I'm actually hoping the December Daily will help me focus on the joy of each day, and in that I will re-discover the joy of the season.

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  3. Kelly says…
    11/05/2009

    Trying to get ahead of the game by somewhat following Organized Christmas.com's plan. I hope to involve people alot more in our celebrations this year...after all, that's what matter most!

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  4. janie says…
    11/05/2009

    To make Christmas more enjoyable...I am going to choose my WORDS wisely. It seems that along with the holiday season comes stress and anger. I am not going to worry about trying to please everyone and I am going to give the gifts of forgiveness!!

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  5. Dianne says…
    11/05/2009

    I had such a crazy December last year I have vowed to try to find ways to eliminate stress so I can actually enjoy the holidays this year. I am not doing the huge holiday party this year- too stressful and you really don't get a chance to visit with people. Gatherings will be small and simple so I can actually enjoy my guests. Gifts are simple and well thought out too. I my December Daily album already well under way. Really looking forward to focusing on the true meaning of Christmas this year and enjoying it!

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  6. Ann says…
    11/05/2009

    Post-divorce, it's all about rewriting the story. The first year, we "had" to have a tree according to one daughter. The second year, we used a very small live tree that didn't last the year. I like the idea of switching it up with the whole tree thing.
    Too many memories in the first two years for cracking open the ornaments, many of which had special memories attached to a relationship no longer living and breathing.

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  7. ToneF says…
    11/05/2009

    I try my best to keep everything nice and simple for the holidays and not going bananas with stress and shopping ;) I love to craft and make small gifts and I have already started, knitting and doing other small nice things that I want to give away!
    Looking forward to a nice and cozy month of December :o)
    Hope you will enjoy your December too!

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  8. Helen says…
    11/05/2009

    The first year in 5 years that we're in our own house after travelling on the road in an RV - the space will be helpful into making it more organised!! But that aside I am a big list maker

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  9. Linda says…
    11/05/2009

    I plan on destressing by ESCAPING! We are going somewhere yet to be decided and then to Chicago for a fun family holiday at someone else's house. :)

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  10. Leslie says…
    11/05/2009

    To make the holiday season more joyful, I plan on doing as much as possible a head of time, so that I can look at the holidays with spirit rather than dread.

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  11. Elizabeth Perkins says…
    11/05/2009

    I plan on using a new spiral notebook & planning everything!
    using my usual excel file for gift ideas & tracking
    making most of the gifts or finding them in the house! (like for our kids the blueprints to their favorite Star Wars stuff, found in our closet! Whoo Hoo Hubby!! now to frame them!)
    starting later this year, so it should be interesting!

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  12. Stéphanie Pouliot says…
    11/05/2009

    Making my lists always helps me!

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  13. Kathy says…
    11/05/2009

    This will be our first Christmas in our new house. I am so excited to decorate and hang lights (we have always lived in a townhouse). I am excited to add this new element of "chaos". Thanks for the chance to win.

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  14. Nathalie says…
    11/05/2009

    Go with a minimalistic approach. Less is more: less worries, stress, outbursts, cranky parents and kids more fun and quiet time spent with my family in the end! :)

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  15. Jana says…
    11/05/2009

    Last year's holiday season seemed particularly stressful and fast. I felt like I didn't get to enjoy it, just survive it. So on Dec. 31st I made a list of what was really important to me at Christmastime, and I have vowed to follow it this year! I know realistically there is no way the month won't be busy, but I'm hoping to make the things that matter to me the priorities, and acknowledge that all the other "stuff" may or may not get done. I am letting go and giving myself the gift of not expecting perfection this Christmas! (Oh, and I made my husband take the week of Christmas off this year!!! That ought to help a bunch!)

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Denise Hunter says…
    11/05/2009

    I want to finish my Christmas cards early! Any ideas? Then I can take the time to bake and play games with my kids during the Christmas break.

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  17. Lisa K says…
    11/05/2009

    I don't want the Christmas shopping rush or tingles. No more thronging for me. I have a toddler now and I get a rush every day and a throb. Hoping to create a love rush at home with different food, less but well-thought gifts, and art reminders of who Christmas is for..

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  18. Jolene says…
    11/05/2009

    I am trying the December Daily for the first time this year. We are seriously cutting back on outside commitments from Thanksgiving until after New Years.

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  19. Rachel says…
    11/05/2009

    This year, we decided to help out 2 families instead of exchanging gifts for the adults in our family. I am SOOO excited about this. This will make the gift list so much easier!

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  20. Beth says…
    11/05/2009

    Choose easier baked goods to make, decorate the week of Thanksgiving and get it done! and stick to my lists -- always hard to do but necessary with the budget.
    I love this time of year!

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  21. JenR says…
    11/05/2009

    I'm going to *try* to create a more simple Christmas. However, since we'll be spending Christmas at home for the first time, I don't see it happening. No matter how crazy things may/will get, I know I'm going to love every minute!

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  22. czarina says…
    11/05/2009

    I want to enjoy the season with my family. And I hope to not get caught up in the business of it all..the pressures..and really enjoy the true meaning of Christmas.

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  23. Alayne says…
    11/05/2009

    I have 2 small children at home, and am expecting my 3rd shortly after the new year. Since I already feel like my life is hectic and insane I plan on using the word "No" alot in the coming holiday season. No to extravagant gifts and all-out decorating. No to extra parties I don't have the energy to attend. No to planning big meals, etc. I plan on focusing on the meaning of the season, and enjoying the little everyday moments that make the season, and life in general more enjoyable. I am going to live in the moment, and focus on the activites that bring happiness and peace into my home.

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  24. Caroline says…
    11/05/2009

    This year we're keeping it simple - focusing on the simple things and avoiding all the distracting hype - just the two of us, with church, dinner and love.

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Mandy Sybrowsky says…
    11/05/2009

    I recently went back to work, and even though it's part time, I'm worried our Christmas will be less fun and exciting for the kids because I'm so much busier than usual. I really need something like this journal and planner to help me get organized and really plan stuff in advance. My last minute antics won't cut it this year! Thanks for the chance to win!

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