Journal Your Christmas Giveaway
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.
With a baby who will be experiencing her first Christmas & family on both sides close by, I am already stressed about scheduling... My husband and I have decided we are going to make plans that work best for our family of three & let the pieces fall into place from there. Our focus this year is completely on our daughter... Hopefully that will keep us sane!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
This year will be less about the gifts and more about the time together. My boys are 12 and 13, and I know our time with them is becoming more and more precious.
So happy we enjoy each other still!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I am trying to get as much done before the season really starts- like our holiday cards and other things so I can be present while the season is going and not feel under so much stress to find the right present and do all the holiday things I want to participate in. I am also trying to make some really cool handmade gifts this year. Wish me luck!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
This year I'm planning a much more sane holiday season, no traveling, no scrambling at the last minute but rather enjoying all the things that my current home town have to offer and to actually enjoy the holiday and live each day of December to the fullest!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
This year I hope to make more lists and actually use them! I am truely looking foward to this Christmas season as I am pregnant and enjoying the time with my husband while thinking about all the changes to come about in the coming year!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I plan to have all my shopping done and all the presents wrapped in the next couple of weeks. I'm due with baby number 3 on 12/11 so I really need to get this done.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I would love to do this class. Not only have the holidays become too hectic in previous years and somewhat unenjoyable, but I lost my dad this summer and I know I will be spending more time reflecting on holidays past.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My sweet husband is taking the week before and the week after Christmas off from work. I'm so excited that we can just hang out together as a family and play games and read and just be!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I promise myself to make every effort to simplify and not get caught up in the hype and the over-spending. I am not going to kill myself rushing to malls and fighting for parking spaces. This isn't what Christmas is all about and I think many people, including myself, are forgetting this.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I took a long hard look at what mattered last year. Those are the only things we'll be doing this year. More focus on family, less on the commercialism of the holidays. Thanks for the great giveaway opportunity.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I always take the Mon-Wed before Thanksgiving off from work (Thur & Fri are holidays) so that I can get ready for the season. I prepare my Christmas cards in November and drop them in the mail on the day after Thanksgiving. In my time off from work, I decorate the house before heading to my inlaws' on the other side of the state for Thanksgiving. I do 90% of my shopping on Black Friday. So, that by the time December begins, I have most of my Christmas "stuff" done and I can really just enjoy all of the merriment and festivities. I also create a Christmas activity advent calendar which has one (sometimes more) holiday item on it each day of December...things like baking cookies, making ornaments, reading a Christmas story, going to see the Rochester Lights, etc. These are things we do together as a family, and the kids look forward to it every year.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I will not be buying any more Christmas decorations-I will be using what I already have, which is more than enough! Our family will also be focusing on others who don't have much more than on what we want for ourselves.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I hope to get more shopping/gift making done early so I can give meaningful gifts that my kids, family and friends will treasure. Or at least enjoy.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I'm getting my Christmas shopping done early, and keeping my decorating simple this year. I want to try and enjoy the moments more and worry less!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I'm planning ahead this year. Lots of homemade gifts, but starting now, Nov. 1.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I plan to keep it very simple. I want to focus on family traditions rather than gifts. Of course Santa will be dropping by, but for the most part is going o be memory and faily driven. Just perfect for a December daily and a Journal of Christmas I think.
Thanks to b oth of you for all of your glorious inspiration.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
First, I'm going to try and remain calm...not always an easy thing for me. And this year, I've decided to hand make several Christmas gifts...I always have wanted to do it but just never found the time...this year I'm starting early. Thank you for the opportunity to win!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I am going to try to do as much as I can early (i.e. in November) so I can just kick back and enjoy the season with my little ones. Thanks for the chance to win Ali!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
We have worked over the last few years to cut back on the stuff and focus on traditions and family time. I think this would be just the project to capture that.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My goal is to have any Christmas shopping/planning done by Thanksgiving. Then December won't be a frazzled whirlwind and I will be able to enjoy my family, creating meaningful traditions and memories, and remembering the true meaning of Christmas.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
i plan not plan so much crammed into a few weeks and spend more quiet time as a family.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
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!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
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.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
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!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
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.
Sign in or sign up to comment.