This month, our December gallery topic was our Holiday Homes. Tucked in those lovely layouts were some delightful journaling prompts. I know how easy it is to be beguiled by the colors and designs of the layouts :) so I compiled three journaling prompts to inspire you and your holiday pages.
1. Ornaments and decorations. Have you taken an opportunity to record the decorations that you remember from your childhood? Chances are, you may not have any photos to accompany your page, but, as Paula instructed us, it is no problem at all!!
Aly's page describing how her baby liked to play with the ornaments likely resonated with many of us. Have you pictures of your tree with childproof tree that you could contrast against one showing your fragile ornaments? Or perhaps the idea of ornaments askew will serve merely as a jumping off point for a page about the changes in your routine now that your children are grown.
Lastly, don't forget to take a tour of the decorations on your own tree. Celeste shows us how we can focus on ornaments that matter and tell the story about why they do. This idea could be extended to any decorations around our homes, both inside and out.
2. Seasonal highlights. As scrapbookers, I think we try very hard to notice our surroundings, and the accompanying emotions. It's my favorite thing about us as a group: our love of the little things. Lisa's layout reminds us to take a moment and not only breathe it in, but record it: the sights, the smells, the sounds. I might suggest closing your eyes right now, and stop and answer these three questions. Then hurry to put together a page. Or jot down a quick list in your December Daily album.
Donna offers us another highlight reminder to record the "where" of our holiday time. Oft times, we something is a regular holiday occurrence it becomes part of the expected, and therefore falls off our radar. Sometimes it isn't until things change that we are reminded of the norm. Nothing wrong with taking time to scrapbook the ordinary while it is still that.
Lastly, what is it about the season that makes you happy? Paula's page is a terrific example of how you can use your photos as a journaling element. A photo essay on what makes you happy can stand alone, or you could add in a brief explanation about the why behind the what!
3. Childhood memories. I don't know about you, but sometimes, in the middle of July, I have a hard time conjuring up thoughts about my childhood Christmas memories. But when I am sitting on the couch watching the Sound of Music, eating (my mom's recipe) caramel popcorn, in the shadow of the twinkling tree lights, my mind is filled with the sounds, tastes, and traditions of my childhood. One Elvis Christmas carol and I am back in my orange velvet wallpapered living room pouring over the Sears' catalogue for the prefect presents. These memories haven't yet made it to my scrapbook as December is just. so. busy. But not too busy, right? Taking time.
I was impressed by how Amy was able to allow her mind to wander back and then to capture some of her childhood memories while visiting her mother's home. I may follow her lead and make a layout about my mom's house. And then my Grandma's. How I miss my grandma and her Christmas home.
Next, didn't you love Amy's telling of her family folktale? So funny. Do you have any holiday family lore? Any stories that circulate each and every year. You know, the ones that make you roll your eyes, but remind you that you belong!! If you can't get the whole layout done, then maybe at least write down the story for a quiet moment in January.
That's it! Thank you, to our amazing team for creating such inspiring layouts. I hope that you will use their inspiration to jumpstart your journaling this month! And because it's always more fun to play together, here are my three challenge layouts.
1. Ornaments and decorations. I chose to do a layout on the difference between my childhood tree and the one I decorate now.
2. Seasonal highlights. I loved Lisa's idea of smells, sounds, and tastes, but decided to expand it from what I have around right now to my holiday favorites.
3. Childhood memories. Remember how I told you that The Sound of Music makes me think of Christmas at home? Well, I got to thinking that maybe I should start with recording the fact of how the movie is attached to my childhood Christmases. Hooray! Memory recorded!
I hope that your December Daily albums are off to a good start, and that you are taking time to relax and recharge this holiday season. I look forward to seeing you next week to discuss some holiday photography!! See you then! If you have a chance to put a layout together with our journaling prompts, I would love to see it!!
