Let’s talk about this idea of documenting December. I have created a number of fun, little books and projects about Christmas over the years, but I’ve yet to attempt a daily approach, even though it feels like I might be the only scrapbooker on the planet that hasn’t.
This is my year to try December Daily and I’m keen on making it very doable.
I’ll be using the Snap! Christmas line from Simple Stories. I shared my plans (briefly) during the BPC Pajama Party recently, but want to share them in more detail here …
The reason WHY I think I’ll be successful in my attempt this year is because I have already set up my album and essentially outlined what I need and where it goes. This is my title page. On Sunday, December 1st, I will take a photo of my children (after church, while they are still dressed up) in Santa hats. I even have a reminder set on my phone!
This is my dedication page, where I will eventually mount a FAVORITE Instagram photo of each member of my family. Please note: The little photo markers that you see in this post do not appear on my pages. I created these images for the little Pajama Party movie I made. You can (by the way) watch the archived Pajama Party video. All you have to do is sign-up for the FREE Pajama Party events and then log into the Pajama Party classroom at bigpictureclasses.com.
The three previous pages are all part of the 6″x8″ Journal Inserts pack, available HERE.
These sturdy pages come three-hole punched, so you can slip them right inside your binder (my title page), but you can also cut off the holes and slip them inside a page protector (my dedication page), OR you can add a tab and use them as a divider page, like I’ve done with my movable advent page above.
All of the insert pages are two sided and both sides are CUTE, so whether you do something with them or not, they will look good and add to your album. I’m going to type up a current list of our favorite Christmas songs and add them as strips to the music page (which is the backside of the advent divider) and they will move with us through the month—so we will keep on singing!
You can scroll quickly through the next several images. I’m just showing you that I am set up and ready to slip in photos!
I’m not showing you every page, but I am showing you several, because I want you to SEE these adorable insert cards!
I think you could easily purchase one set of the 3″x 4″ insert cards and have PLENTY to share with a friend! Keep reading, because there will be a way for you to WIN this whole line at the bottom of my post.
The hard part is (of course) deciding which of the insert cards you WON’T be using. I love this combination of elf-designs and the “naughty or nice” card.
I’ve (sort-of) designated which size of photo I will take each day, BUT … there is complete flexibility because I don’t have to slip all of my photos in, in order! I have 25+ empty pockets and a very non-chronological outlook on life and scrapbooking 
I also have a few additional “special event” pages. We are supposed to be getting LOTS of snow this year. I’m ready!
These final pages give me room for adding additional Christmas Day Instagram prints and journaling.
Now, preparation is NOT just product …
I’ve taken THREE strategic measures to see myself through on this month-long commitment …
ONE. Moved my photo-printer upstairs
This means I can’t play the lazy card and avoid running downstairs. It will be very easy for me to stop and upload photos from my DSLR, or send phone photos via Photostream to my computer for printing.
TWO. Set up a basket with update essentials
This means pretty much everything I need in order to add a photo or journaling to my album, will be at arms reach and sitting on my kitchen counter. I’ve got scissors, small stapler, journaling pens, Snap! letter stickers and lots of other decorative stuff, along with my other ‘favorite’ insert cards, in case I want to change my mind or add a page!
THREE. Created a list of potential photos and stuck it to my fridge.
This means when I remember (or am prompted) to take a photo, but don’t have an idea I can refer to my list!
So that you will add me to your NICE list this year, I figured out how to share my photo list with you. All you have to do is click HERE, and download it. I even replaced my kids’ names with blank lines, so you can add your own names!
As excited as you might be for me and my well-planned December Doable, I have saved the BEST NEWS of all for last. You COULD WIN EVERYTHING you need to create your own Snap! album. My friends at Simple Stories have agreed to give ONE of my blog readers the mini-album, the pocket protectors, the journal inserts and 3″x4″ and 4″x6″ insert cards. All you have to do is tell me something interesting about Christmas at your house. You could share a tradition or the story behind an ornament or what you eat on Christmas Eve — anything really. I’ll have my kids help me select a random winner (so please don’t fret over your comment!) on Friday, so that we can ship everything to you in time for December ONE. [Note on November 22, 2013] Giveaway is closed. EliseT is our WINNER!
