Journal Your Christmas Giveaway

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.

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..

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.

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!

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

I am planning on giving handmade gifts and thus not having to worry about shopping all over the place to purchase gifts. I can make the gifts (and have already started!) in my home, at night, after my little one is in bed and my hubby is relaxing. So much less stressful than fighting crowds and traffic! :)

I am looking forward to spending time vegging with the family, drinking hot cocoa, taking my dog Jasper to the dog park daily, and FINALLY getting to the last Harry Potter book -- no distractions!

Ah, this holiday season will be more sane, since we'll actually be here, at home, rather than traveling just before Christmas & getting stuck in San Francisco on an unexpected extra vacation day since PDX was CLOSED because of the snow storm last year! At least I'm hoping it'll be more sane... what would be my excuse if it wasn't?! ;)
Thanks Ali!

I'm not sure it will be more sane, but this year we're staying home and not traveling to visit with extended family. We'll miss them but I'm so excited about being able to weave my way of marking the holiday into our intimate family celebrations this year.

to keep it sane?? I am going to start earlier!! There alsways seems to be more I want to do and not enough days..so starting earlier and planning really help me.

Journaling and Christmas= my two favorite things! What a great concept! xo

My sanity plan for the Holiday season will involve making fewer plans and lists in an attempt to avoid micro-managing myself and creating an ideal that is too hard to live up to. In other words, my plan is to just take things as they come, and enjoy the moments as they unfold.

Not going overboard on anything, setting realistic expectations and going with the flow is my recipe this year.

I am going to make my holidays more sane this year simply by buying less, decorating less, and spending more time with family instead! Suzie

Planning ahead and keeping things in perspective will help keep me sane this holiday season - I hope!