Journal Your Christmas Giveaway

i plan not plan so much crammed into a few weeks and spend more quiet time as a family.

I am planning to work out just what I HAVE to do, and what I WANT to do, and to try to get a balance between the two.
Would love to win a place in Shimelle's class - thanks for the opportunity!

Sane or crazy, I want to create a memorable one. Last year, in addition to pulling candy out of the advent box, we also included a family activity of the day. Whether it was star-gazing, baking cookies, or going ice skating, we made some wonderful memories together. I can see doing something along these lines every year.

Our family has decided not to buy any gifts this year except for the 2 little ones. None of us really need anything (different from want!), some have lots their jobs and don't have extra money, and it just gets too chaotic. We're looking forward to a more relaxed season!

My family and I are not traveling for the first time in 10 years. It will wonderful for our kids to wake, for the first time ever, in their own beds Christmas morning, which makes this the perfect year for documenting the season.

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

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.

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!

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!!

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!

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.

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!

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

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. :)

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.

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!

Making my lists always helps me!

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.

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! :)

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!)