December Daily™ 2012 | Saying Hello & Looking Back & Looking Ahead

A very big welcome to December Daily™ 2012.

Today is the day I begin and I'm super excited.

As I get ready to start documenting December today (I'll post my Day One page tomorrow morning), I thought it would be fun to take a look back at the stories I've told over the last five years (check out my main December Daily™ page with links to all my past albums here). Here's an accounting (thanks Katie) of the stories I've told and how many years I've told them:


  • Advent Calendars: 2008, 2009, 2009, 2010, 2011

  • Writing letters to Santa: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

  • Christmas movies: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

  • Trip to play in Snow: 2008, 2010

  • Baking cookies: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

  • Christmas lights: 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011

  • Nativity set: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011

  • Wrapping presents: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

  • Notes to Simon and Anna: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

  • Trip to see Santa: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

  • Christmas Cards: 2010, 2011

  • Starbucks Coffee sleeve: 2009, 2010, 2011

  • Picking out Christmas Tree: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

  • Twinkle Lights: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

  • Trip to Target: 2008, 2009, 2011

  • Around the House: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

  • Opening presents: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010,2011

  • Christmas Jammies: 2009, 2010, 2011

  • Wrapping Books: 2011

  • Small Quiet Christmas Eve: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

  • Warm Clothing (favorite sweaters, coats, hats): 2008, 2011

  • Ornaments: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

  • Simon + Anna’s own Mini tree for their room: 2009, 2010, 2011

  • Being sick/ resting: 2007, 2010

  • Homework: 2008

  • Grocery Shopping: 2008

  • Quiet relaxing days: 2009

  • Printed picture of Flikr likes: 2009

  • Story of Simon and Anna sharing: 2010

  • Loving…. Prompt: 2010

  • Movie theater: 2007, 2009, 2010

  • Trip to Dentist: 2009, 2010

  • Work day stories: 2008, 2009, 2012, 2011

  • Gymnastics open gym: 2011


As you can see, I use a lot of the same topics each year (I'm a fan of repetition). I also include everyday stories alongside holiday ones. There is no right or wrong way to approach this project.

My biggest piece of advice this year: HAVE FUN. That's it. This isn't a race or a competition or anything of the sort. Keep it real for you and those who are most important to you. Let it enhance your spirit this season.

MORE IDEAS



GIVEAWAYS


Also be sure to check out the December Daily™ 8 DAYS OF GIVEAWAYS starting today over on my blog. Each day from December 1 through December 8th I'll feature two companies. The giveaways will open at 3am PST and comments will be closed at 9am PST the following morning.

SHARING YOUR WORK


Each day I'll include a section to share your work - day one will be included with my post tomorrow. You can also share your work in the December Daily™ 2012 Flickr gallery.

My best to you this holiday season. May it be filled with wonder and twinkle and magic.


TODAY'S POST SPONSORED BY | BIG PICTURE SCRAPBOOKING

At Big Picture Classes you’ll find a myriad of super convenient self-paced classes, inspirational eBooks, and interactive multi-week workshops on topics ranging from scrapbooking to photography, journaling to personal well-being—but it is the light-hearted and liberating philosophy behind our education that sets us apart and enables you to find your muse! Visit us today to register for a free class! SPECIAL OFFER | Ali Edwards readers can enjoy 10% off their order by using code: decemberdaily2012. Offer expires 12/31/2012.

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46 thoughts

  1. dawn says…
    12/01/2012

    HAPPY DECEMBER ALI AND EVERYONE!!! I'M SOOOOO EXCITED FOR THIS MONTH AND COULDN'T WAIT FOR TODAY TO COME!! THIS WAS A GREAT POST ALI, I AM ACTUALLY DOING AN ACCOUNTING POST TOO AND IT'S SURPRISING ME WITH THE OUTCOME. THANKS FOR SHARING THIS HOLIDAY WITH US AGAIN AND INSPIRING US TO CAPTURE IT ALL IN ONE LITTLE TREASURED ALBUM.
    SENDING BLESSINGS AND HUGS TO YOU ALI AND FAMILY, MAY YOUR HOLIDAY ALSO BE FILLED WITH JOY AND LOVE.

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Sarah Roe says…
    12/01/2012

    So inspired now! what a great post...
    Let's go!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Rosy Kakaletris says…
    12/01/2012

    I'm ready! I'm super excited! Helloooooo December!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Carrie says…
    12/01/2012

    Another so-excited-to-begin gal here. Woohoo, December!

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Catherine says…
    12/01/2012

    Hi ali and hello December,
    I am excited to begin this journey once again with you. I have participated since you first began DD and it has certainly become a part of my Christmas experience. I was looking back at the early years when your DD was mostly paper scraping and not so much digital with your wonderful mix and match style. Your DD and career have certainly developed and become amazing. Who knew you would set the scrapping world on fire...
    I am delighted for your success and look forward to this year's DD adventure filled with "life right now".
    Thanks my friend,
    Catherine, "Mykonos alum"

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. EE K says…
    12/01/2012

    Woot - Happy December to you and your family!

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Erika says…
    12/01/2012

    I love this project the entire family gets involved. Thank you Ali for having the inspiration for this project. We can get so busy with the hustle and bustle of the season that we forget to stop and reflect about it. This project helps me to reflect, plan & capture all these wonderful moments. Last year I was very ill at the beginning of my december daily but I still captured every moment. Today as I look back at last year I'm thankful I have those memories of that time. Thanks again for keeping what is a tradition now for so many of us going. Have a great holiday.

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Kelly Shults says…
    12/01/2012

    So excited to get started! Thanks for sharing your talent and inspiration!

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Rebecca says…
    12/01/2012

    This is my 5th year doing a December Daily album, it is truly one of the highlights of the season for me! The other evening while unpacking all of my Christamas decorartions I paused to look through the past 4 December Daily albums I've created. So excited to begin this December journey yet again!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Rebecca says…
      12/01/2012

      This year I bought the kit too and it has so many fab items, including things I might never have selected on my own. How fun to try new things!

  10. Mary Sara P. says…
    12/01/2012

    Merry December Ali. Thanks for the inspiration.

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. HeatherC says…
    12/01/2012

    Love December! Favorite project of the year!

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Meihsia Liu says…
    12/01/2012

    Thank you, Ali, for this inspirational project. Can't wait to see your day one and start mine. Happy December... ":)

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Chris H says…
    12/01/2012

    Very excited about the 4x6 format and all the wonderful digital elements available to make it soooo easy to fit into PL.

    This year is going to be a challenge because we really aren't doing a lot of decorating with house painting going on (it's golf off-season you know!), and I'm studying for a big test to get into graduate school, so it really is going to be a Christmas in the heart kind of month. Lots of enjoying others' festive decor.

    I printed a couple lists of photo inspirations for December for days when I just can't find something interesting. A google search helped with that.

    Good luck everyone!! Have a great December!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Chris H says…
      12/01/2012

      As an aside, Ali, I'm trying to use the overlays in the digital PL standard A template. I'm finding it cuts off the corner of the overlay when I place it into the template. I've resized the overlay but then it interferes with the photo too much and looks odd with a corner stuck into a rounded edge. Does that make sense what I'm saying??
      If I was just printing the photo and sliding into the sleeve it would be fine but the digi template is rounded corners when you clipping mask it into the spot. Is there a way I can round the corner of the overlay in PSE? Thanks!

  14. Steph says…
    12/01/2012

    Super excited for this year's album and the simplicity of it all being a 4x6 album.

    I am currently sitting in my scrapbook room trying to put my album together and I have a problem:

    All of the 4x6 - TOP pdf sheets have the top of the loop in the first "d" in December cut off!

    Not sure if this has been mentioned here yet, or if there are plans for it to be fixed, but I would really love to get my foundation pages done with the vareity of the tops and bottoms.

    Thanks a bunch!!!

    Reply 2 Replies
    1. Steph says…
      12/01/2012

      Thanks Ali!!!

      I'm off to finish printing now....sorry :)

      I love the following that DD has now. I've signed up two newbies this year too; a friend and my Mom.

      Thank you again for all that you do to inspire for DD each year. Seriously, the new size couldn't be more perfect for my family this year. Busier than ever, this year's is surely to be a no-excuses, keep on top of it fun part of the holiday season.

    2. Ali says…
      12/01/2012

      Hi Steph - that "d" is actually designed to go off the top edge :).

  15. Sue Alg says…
    12/01/2012

    Great ideas. I'm going to use these in PL also.

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Mel says…
    12/01/2012

    So excited to start too. Thanks for the givaways and the calming words.

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. SusanMcL says…
    12/01/2012

    Wow, December already! Let the fun begin!

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Ellie Augustin says…
    12/01/2012

    I just wanted to thank you SO much for sharing this and bringing December Daily into our lives 3 years ago I saw someone talking about Ali Edwards and her December Daily and I got super curious and had to find what it was about.. I had been a card marker for the most part and although I had tried scrapbooking it wasn't something I thought about really doing UNTIL I "meet" you Ha. SO December Daily is my Anniversary into getting scrappy and documenting my Everyday life yes you also was an influence into starting Project Life and 2013 will also be my 3 year doing it. SO I am so looking forward to another fun year of December memories being documented and can't wait to see what you share with us!

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Graviela says…
    12/01/2012

    Love the giveaway!

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. MichelleGB says…
    12/01/2012

    Great starting post! I'm so excited to get started!

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. kdanielson says…
    12/01/2012

    so super excited about today. As we begin this holiday season, sooooo many changes, its time to hold on to old traditions and create new ones.

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Shelly K says…
    12/01/2012

    Bring on December!! Happy Holidays!

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Tracey says…
    12/01/2012

    My son woke up with the excitement of his Advent Calendar, I woke up with the excitement of my December Diary. I can't wait. :) :) :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Claire says…
    12/01/2012

    So looking forward to this month and all the stories and memories it will bring. Thank you Ali for your inspiration. I now have a little basket of December Daily albums to put out with my Christmas decorations, and I love them most of all. I can't wait to see them again, for the first time since they were put away almost a year ago.

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Paula says…
    12/01/2012

    Wishing you the most blessed and amazing and beautiful Christmas season ever Ali, Simon and Ana! Your blog is a gift in my life and I really can't thank you enough, nor could words really explain how much I mean that. I believe that connections are made face to face, online and also soul to soul, and you are a beautiful soul. Peace and Joy to you!

    Reply 0 Replies

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