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. Amanda Batchelor says…
    11/04/2009

    I am hopeful since things are more settled that I will start to list my "things" to do and acommplish before Christmas. I don't want everything done to be by the book but I would love to have a little more order in our house. I plan on making sure I do many things ahead so I can enjoy the holidays with my loved ones.

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  2. Heather G says…
    11/04/2009

    I'm going to try and simplify things. Hopefully that will make Christmas more meaningful and easier for us.

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  3. Amy says…
    11/04/2009

    I simply hope to not put unrealistic expectations and time frames on myself this year. I always feel like I should make more things or go more places and I end up frustrated! With three small children, I just want to slow down and enjoy the season with my precious family.

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  4. Debbie says…
    11/04/2009

    Hi Ali,
    I was so excited and pleased to meet you on Saturday in my neigborhood. What a surprise! I have followed your blog for years. You are such an incredibly talented woman. Thanks for sharing so much of yourself with us. My christmas season will no doubt be more hectic this year with my 2 year old grandson living with us for a few months. I plan on keeping everything low key this year in an attempt to keep my sanity! We'll see how things turn out!
    Debbie

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  5. Jessica Herling says…
    11/04/2009

    hmmmmm...a sane Christmas Season. I plan to be on top of the craziness this year, by starting now, the Decmeber Daily has really helped to get me in the mood. I am over half way through my December Daily (this is my first time, I am very excited), I am also starting this weekend on the gifts that will be handmade. I am trying to make this my "Handmade Christmas" wish me luck! Thank you for all your inspiration!

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  6. Gloria Gomez says…
    11/04/2009

    Does "more sane" equal "more at peace"?? I totally feel more at peace when I sit in my craft room and create. Not only is it the holiday season but the culmination of another year...one that has gone mostly undocumented due to the lack of free TIME. I will spend a big part of the holiday "month" (Thanksgiving through New Years) scrapping the pics and pages that I was unable to during the 2009 year.
    ~GG

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  7. Diane Herman says…
    11/04/2009

    lots of lists...

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  8. Christina H. says…
    11/04/2009

    I think for a more sane christmas this year we are just going to try and get back to what it was we loved so much about the holiday as kids, getting to decorate and bake and spend time with our family that we only get to see this time of year. We are making the trip home to Iowa to celebrate, so I am hoping to keep it as sane as possible.

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  9. Holly S says…
    11/04/2009

    Lists, lists and more lists only this year I vow NOT to loose them or leave them at home!!!

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  10. Julie says…
    11/04/2009

    I'll take care to keep time each week to do nothing with my family! Just stay at home playing game together!

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  11. Shiree says…
    11/04/2009

    Hi Ali,
    I discovered your blog this time last year, just in time to create my very own "25 days to Christmas", it was so much fun, and this year, I have several friends who are doing this December Daily journey too.
    Anyway my holiday times this year will be quite different to our usual, as we have recently moved, and "home" and family are a 3 hr drive away.But busy and fun all the same!!!

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  12. M says…
    11/04/2009

    This year we are STAYING AT HOME for Christmas instead of traveling all over the midwest. That should give me time to journal. ;)

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  13. Paulette says…
    11/04/2009

    it's now looking like we'll still be in "renovation mode" over the holidays...so we will keep it simple, focus on the food & family...anxiously await a new granadbaby & count our MANY blessings...Ali you rock :o)

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  14. Karen K says…
    11/04/2009

    For me, a sane Christmas will be just knowing what is important and what I can let go. And just maybe some things will be extended into January, like making candy and cookies. :)

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  15. Tonya F says…
    11/04/2009

    I use Google Docs to keep up with my Christmas lists. It's a great way to track our expenses. We shaved $400 off our Christmas last year!

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  16. Kristin says…
    11/04/2009

    Instead of trying to juggle both my full-time job and everything at home at once, I've saved 7 vacation days for December. I'm making my family my priority this December. I know - what a novel idea!! Work can wait.

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  17. michelle says…
    11/04/2009

    This year I am not going to Black Friday. I am going to stay home and start a new tradition of caramel rolls and hot chocolate with my kids. We will have the cousins over and we will make ornaments, decorate the trees and breathe.

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  18. Christina in VA says…
    11/04/2009

    Every year I have the best intentions of making edible gifts for friends and family, but end up short on time. This year, I vow to plan better, start early, and make those goodies instead of store bought presents that may go unused.

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  19. Amy P. says…
    11/04/2009

    I am already cleaning and decluttering my home before getting those decorations out (I am so ready to decorate our house!!)And beginning now by also beginning to but together my first December Daily album (so excited!) in advance to document the first Christmas in our new house. I am soooo excited about the holidays I want to enjoy every moment this year and most importantly to slow down and be in the moment with my hubby and 2 sweet boys.

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  20. Karalyn says…
    11/04/2009

    We will be having our first Christmas with our now 6 month old! We can't wait. I think Christmas will be a little more exciting this year - plus we get to spend the holiday with my family - cannot wait!!! And I make tons of lists to keep everything in check!!

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  21. Amie says…
    11/04/2009

    I am trying to create a more sane Holiday season by getting things done in advance! I have a list of projects that need to get done and hopefully I will be able to get them all done!

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  22. Teri M. says…
    11/04/2009

    Last year I took the BPS Cut the Crazy out of Christmas. That helped me stay organized through the holiday season. I need to get my book out and print off new 2009 lists.

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  23. Whitney Seeman says…
    11/04/2009

    I don't want to do too much as far as worrying about presents and those types of things go. I do want to create some memories that we can remember as a family and even introduce a few new traditions to start as well.

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  24. Katie @ Making This Home says…
    11/04/2009

    It's my first time not having Christmas at my house or my in-law's. We also happen to be living in Germany right now, so with the two factors, I really can't answer your question. I'm beyond excited to document. Would love all the help I can get. Thanks for a shot at a spot.
    katie

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  25. Sarah Swann says…
    11/04/2009

    I am planning to SIMPLIFY this year! The holidays are always crazy and this year seems to be no exception, and they haven't even started yet. With my husband going through military training right now, we're busy with class activities, play groups for my daughter, oh and did I mention I'm trying to lose weight??? Whew! We are traveling for Christmas this year and I told all my relatives (who all live in Florida while we are in Texas) that everyone's getting gift cards this year. Much easier, no wrapping and it costs next to nothing to mail. Last year we spend more money shipping gifts than to actually buy all the gifts. I'm really simplifying and taking it easy this year. I love your December Daily idea and plan on doing it next year when we're in a more permanent place and will probably stay home for the holidays. Thanks Ali, you're such an inspiration!

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