I’ve been documenting our Christmas for the several years inspired by Ali Edwards’s December Daily project. It’s been fun taking a look at how our holiday has been similar and different over the years. Each of these years I focused on creating a page dedicated to each day of December leading up to Christmas. Occasionally including late November and/or days after Christmas if it included part of our holiday celebrations (i.e., getting the tree the day after Thanksgiving or the year we celebrated Christmas with my father on New Years’ Day). One year I made a book dedicated to the antics of our elf, Christopher Pop-in-Kins.
This year, I wanted to continue the tradition, but being home with a new baby, having a kindergartener in school for 2 weeks of the month and Trent at work – I didn’t want to capture every single day. Why? Because honestly I feel stressed in having to have something Christmas related every single day for it. Maybe it doesn’t have to be that way, but that’s how I feel. When I was home with Dylan, it was easy. We had playgroup or a special library story time or would do a holiday craft, etc. These things aren’t happening now. That’s okay. It’s part of the change from year to year.
After contemplating a bit, I decided on another way to tackle this project so I can still capture the memories but not stress so much – I’m making a Shutterfly photo book with the focus simply on the holiday events/fun/tradition from taking photos for our cards to Christmas celebrations with family later in the month.
I’m uploading photos and creating pages as the month progresses. Adding journaling as I like, but mainly focusing on the pictures. And, yes, adding a digital scrapbook page or two as I’m inspired (and can find the time!).
Are you documenting your Christmas?
6 Comments
Such a wonderful idea. I’ve been taking lots of pictures, so maybe I can make a photo book in January.
Definitely! Even those who don’t scrapbook can do this. You can even have your kids contribute to the text part. My son sat in my lap helping me decide what to write on one page last night. 🙂
I have gotten terrible about documenting things. I love this idea of Shutterfly books. They really are nice.
It can be hard to do when trying to just keep up with day-to-day life and kids! The beauty of this is that you could do it all in photos if you wanted or have your kids help contribute to the text, etc. It’s really a fun, personal project.
Every year I say that I am going to do something like this! It hasn’t happened much. I guess I can make a “catch up book”. I know you design so you probably make your digital scrapbooking pages on something fancy. Do you have suggestions on a place (like a PicMonkey type site) to make the scrapbook pages?
You can definitely catch up! I still have some catching up to do. 2 years were started and never completed do to personal reasons. Anyhow, yes, I use Photoshop for my digital pages (the left page up there) but I also make some pages straight in Shutterfly (the right side) using either their pre made idea pages or doing some customization. It’s so easy!