I always look forward to December journaling.

The thought of the festivities and activities just gives so much motivation to journal about it all.

But, not all of us have the time , the energy or even the financial capacity to do lots of activities.

We must take into account that December can be the most expensive month of the year.

I needed some inspiration and possibly new things to journal about, so I dug out all of my past December journals.

But I didn’t realise that I have been journaling my December month since 2017. It is exciting to see them all again.

Looking through my old December journals, I realised that I didn’t have to spend a lot or go places to do December journaling.

I also realised that I dint have to spend a lot on supplies to make my journal.

My journals were created  differently each year .  One year , I just made a signature out of scrapbook paper and other years a combination of  paper – old and new , creating either a concertina journal or a traveller notebook kind of journal.

I have made different journals each year . Each journal with different binding or made differently.

This gives me the opportunity to be more creative and try new things.

Things I have journaled about

One thing that I noticed that each year ,  I am consistently journaling about the following :

1. Buying our tree and the whole experience with it.

2. Christmas jumper day

3. Baking days

4. Christmas Eve

5. Christmas Day

6. Boxing Day

I have also journaled about other things such as:

1.Snow days – this is a good opportunity to use those wintry / snow themed papers and stickers.

2.Work Christmas parties – whether I went or not

3.Advent calendar swaps or any advent related stories – whether you made your own advent , received one or if your pets are having one

4.Crafty makes – Christmas ornaments , Christmas cards or gifts.  ‘I have also documented a painty art journal page that I did from a free YouTube workshop.

5.Lists of Christmas songs , Christmas movies , bucket list

6.Enchanting Christmas light displays that I see in my neighbourhood or if something is going on around my neighbourhood.  this is a lovely family activity and you get an exercise at the end of it.

7. Christmas Memories – how we have celebrated Christmas when I was young and how we celebrate as a family at present time.

Generally I have documented activities that do not cost the earth , but are truly memorable.

Ephemera and decorative elements

As mentioned earlier , December journaling shouldn’t be costing a lot.

I have made most of my journals with things from my stash, and made my own ephemera to decorate my journal.

You can also use things such as old greeting cards and gift decoration / ribbons to decorate your pages.

I also used items that has been sent to me to use as decorative element for one of my journal front cover.

I also created interactive pages on my journal to make it interesting as you flip through the pages.

I’ve included pockets , interactive pages ( I made a bauble from cut out circles), flips and pull out tags.

However you document on  your December journals , always make it your own .

Don’t compare your journal to other journals  as this will prevent you for being more creative and exploring other things to include on your journals.

Don’t feel that you need to purchase a lot of expensive stuff to put on your journals.

Try and look around and be inspired with all the things around you.

Enjoy the process and always remember that you don’t have to spend so much on something you want to journal about.

It’s always those little things that makes the memories and journal even more special.  You will be surprised that it will be unique and no one else will have the same pages as you.

I cannot believe that I have been journaling thing long, but one thing is for sure, no matter how busy I am , I will always make sure that I have a December journal every year,

It doesn’t have to be elaborate m it could just be documenting all the little things.

Till next time my creative friends!  I hope you all had a good Christmas and wishing you all a prosperous and amazing new year!

Lots of crafty hugs …

Sheryll