December Daily® 2025 | Ali’s Story 02

Today's December Daily® story is one I started during one of my lessons for this year's Prep Day. You can still grab all the recorded content from our $5 Prep Day if you are looking for additional inspiration + ideas! To complete this spread about spending time with my Mom last month I added 2x2 pockets to the back of the transparent Santa from Story 01, plastic presents, sticker bows, and my journaling.

Let's dive into the video:

Here are additional photos:

Yesterday I forgot to add an entry to my Table Of Contents. I decided to keep it simple and just handwrite directly onto the paper using different pen weights because I like the contrast between thick + thin. The pens I'm using here include a Staedtler Lumocolor Medium and a Uniball Deluxe Micro.

As I mentioned at the top of this post, I shared the complete process video for building the flip up with the 4x6 photo and vellum pockets during Prep Day.

On the back of Story 01 I added a photo + a "make merry" die cut from the Main Kit + a cut out plastic swan from this transparency + the stamped phrase "Christmas present" from the Label Maker Stamp Set.

Behind the Santa I again added a cut up 2x2 page protector and added plastic presents inside. On the outside of one of the pockets I added word phrase stickers and one of the sticker bows from this sheet.

I decided to cut out one of the plastic swans from the transparency as a way to explicitly link the two pages together. I tucked it under the "make merry" die cut and added a tiny bit of red line tape to hold it in place.

Inside one of the 2x2 pockets I added a plastic present + a banner + one of the fabric bows from the Advent Calendar (I open all the days in the Advent Calendar in order to have all the pieces available to me when I'm documenting my stories).

For some reason this little cluster made me so darn happy.

The second page in this spread features the flip up. On the outside of the photo I also added a sticker bow (another way to visually link the two pages together).

When the photos flip up it reveals two of the vellum pockets from the Main Kit. I removed the original cards from the pockets in order to add custom cards. One details the symbolism of the swans with a quote on the other side (see below) and the other includes a photo of my parents on one side and a vellum tree + bow sticker on the other side.

I also had fun incorporating the scallop borders within this little flip up collection.

Those bows! I love how adding those stickers feels like the perfect little something (even though you guys know I don't believe there is a "perfect" solution for any of this crafting goodness).

I also ended up rounding the corners (that's a change from what it looked like during Prep Day) on the cards. I like how that softens them up just a bit.

Learning all that made my heart happy.

And a lovely quote for the other side. The download for both sides of that card were included in the Prep Day downloads.

I saved my journaling for today and I'm so glad I waited to write up this story.

I ended up printing my journaling on one of the pattern papers from the extra 10x8 pattern paper pack (it's light grey with white stars). I left room at the top of my 4x6 so I could stamp and emboss "December" along the top. I also ran that through my sewing machine before adhering it in place.

A yesterday memory + a today moment. Buy the expensive grapes. A season of transformation.

SUPPLIES

• December Daily® Main Kit

• December Daily® Advent Calendar (fabric bow)

• Vintage Vellum + Cardstock Tag Die Cut Pack

• Florals + Bows Clear Sticker Sheet

• Cardstock Scallop Borders

• Tab Sticker Bundle

• Christmas Story 6x8 Stamp Set

• Label Maker Stamp Set

• December Memories 6x8 Transparency Pack

• Green Stripes 10x8 Album

• Gold Embossing Powder

• Versmark Embossing Ink

• Staedtler Lumocolor Pen Medium

• Uniball Deluxe Micro Pen