December Daily: Keepin' it Simple

What is December Daily?

December Daily is a beloved holiday tradition, popularized by Ali Edwards in 2007, that encourages you to capture the magic of the season with photos and stories. The idea is simple: document the 25 days leading up to Christmas, preserving both the big holiday moments—like baking cookies or decorating the tree—and the everyday joys, such as watching a Hallmark movie in your coziest pajamas.

This project is as unique as the memories you’ll document. Some participants embrace daily storytelling, while others take a more relaxed approach, documenting only the highlights. This can be as simple as taking a photo and jotting down a few words or sentences about the memory. Whether you’re capturing family traditions, personal reflections, or a mix of both, December Daily offers a creative outlet to celebrate the season in your own way.

The period in which you document can also vary. While many participants conclude their albums on December 25, others extend through New Year’s or even include Thanksgiving, making it a beautiful way to celebrate the season in your own style.

Step 1: Choose Your Format & Gather Supplies

The beauty of December Daily is its flexibility—you can tailor it to your style and preferences.

• Traditional formats: Mini albums (chipboard, rings, or binder-style)
• Creative alternatives: Junk journals, tag books, travelers notebook, index cards, or even digital formats

Once you’ve chosen your base, gather supplies to bring your project to life:

• Paper collections with holiday or winter themes
• Embellishments like ephemera, stickers, and washi tape
• Tools like adhesives, punches, and pens for journaling

If you’re new to December Daily or want a head start, consider starting with a kit that includes everything you need. Explore Country Craft Creations’ kit options here.

Step 2: Set Up Your Album

Before December starts, set up your album with foundational pages—decorated layouts that leave space for photos and journaling you'll add later. Think of this as building a festive framework for your stories.

Here’s how to get started:

• Decorate your base pages: Use a Christmas or winter theme, incorporating patterned paper, stickers, or washi tape to set the tone.
• Include interactive elements: Add pockets, flips, and tags to make room for extra photos or journaling. These small additions can make your album more dynamic and fun.
• Number your pages: Add numbers (1–25) to represent each day of December. You can use stickers, stamps, or hand-lettered numbers to match your style.

Foundational pages don’t need to be elaborate—just simple layouts that spark joy and make it easier to fill in your stories later.

Need inspiration? Many of our designers have created step-by-step tutorials for Christmas and December Daily albums – visit their YouTube channels for options. Explore Tamra’s YouTube playlists and videos here featuring album tutorials dating back to 2018.

Step 3: Start Documenting

Once December begins, start adding photos and journaling to your album. This can be done daily, weekly, or even after the holidays—whatever fits your lifestyle.

• Capture everyday moments: Not every story has to be extraordinary. Small joys like your favorite holiday drink, wrapping presents, or even a funny mishap are all part of the season.
• Jot down notes daily: Capture moments as they happen with a journal or our brand-new December Story Log. This handy tool helps you track holiday stories by jotting down key details—just a few words or sentences each day. When you're ready to add them to your December Daily album, you’ll have everything you need for easy memory recall. Download the December Story Log here.

• Incorporate prompts: Looking for inspiration? Prompts can spark storytelling ideas or help you focus on moments you might otherwise overlook. Explore our brand-new 2024 December Daily Advent Calendar of Prompts for creative ways to capture your holiday memories. Download the Advent Calendar of Prompts here.

Step 4: Tips for Success

Remember, there’s no wrong way to approach this project. It’s about capturing what matters most to you.

• Your album doesn’t have to be perfect: Embrace imperfections—they’re part of your story.
• It’s okay if you don’t document every day: Capture what you can when you can. Even a few meaningful moments can tell a beautiful story.
• There’s no deadline—work at your own pace: Finish your album in January or even months later. The memories will wait for you.
• Plan ahead but stay flexible: Prepping foundational pages can help, but creating page layouts each day can also be fun.
• Use tools to stay organized: Jot down notes in a journal or our December Story Log so you don’t forget special moments.
• Let your creativity shine: Don’t be afraid to try new techniques or experiment with layouts—this is your unique project.
• Seek inspiration and support: Share your progress in our Scrapbookers of Country Craft Creations Facebook group to connect with others, swap ideas, and stay motivated.

December Daily is about celebrating your holiday season in a way that feels authentic to you. So grab your supplies, embrace the process, and create a meaningful keepsake to cherish for years to come.

Interested in a copy of this blog article, download here.

Interested in ALL of the documents, download here.

• What is December Daily blog article
• December Story Log
• December Daily Advent Calendar of Prompts)