Guest Author - Melissa Waters

My Christmas Journal. This year I am including my journal in my Christmas preparation and celebration. I have vowed to have an accurate record of Christmas at our house, not just faded memories that this ole mind of mine can recall in January...


Lists - This year I am making all my Christmas present lists in my journal. Since I carry my journal with me every where I go, this is a perfect place to hide that special list that I need to check twice or three times. Everyone in my family, as well as my friends, know that my journal is off limits. They know not to snoop inside. So I have created all the lists of presents that I need to buy for those special someone's in my life within the pages of my journal. I have one list for each person. I have their wants, needs and desires included on these lists. Plus it also frees me up from trying to hide those lists from my kids, who are trying to find out what they are getting!

Plans - My plans are well laid out within the pages of my journal. Where we are going to be having Christmas dinner and what time we need to be there. Then I have what time I need to begin preparing for the meal and what I need to prepare. I have a "Who list" too, just like the Grinch. Who we've invited and who has said they will come and what they plan on bringing with them. When is for when we are opening presents with my mother-in-law or my dad's. I also have a list of who said they were buying what for each certain person so we can reduce the risk of duplicate gifts.

Photos - I will have a section for the special photo's that we will take this year. I plan on sharing at least five photos with my journal this year. I will place each picture on it's own page. Then I will journal about the photo, with my favorite prompts, who, what, when, why, where, and how. Another option if you are not big on pictures is having the little ones in your life draw pictures of Christmas Day and then you add the words!

You could also use the wrapping paper from some of the gifts to write on the back and include in the pages of your current journal.

Have a Merry Christmas.