Capture Holiday Memories through Journaling

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Sleigh bells ringing. Festive lights blinking bright red and green. Perhaps more than any other time of year, the Christmas season is rich with unique sights, sounds, smells and family traditions.

Are you capturing all of the special details of your family’s holiday celebrations in your scrapbook?

Of course, it starts with the photos. This year, instead of waiting to pull out the camera until Christmas morning – when the kids are opening their gifts at the speed of light – start taking photos days and even weeks before. Photograph your holiday baking session, the trip to the tree farm, decorating the tree, the town’s Christmas parade, your neighborhood Christmas party, the children with their Advent calendar, Christmas Eve dinner, the decorations on your house…and all of the little things that make the holiday special that you might take for granted.

Then, take some time to journal. All of those pictures will become much more meaningful when accompanied by the stories behind them. Here are some prompts you can use to get going:

• What is your favorite Christmas carol? Why? Where do you first remember hearing/singing it?



• What do you remember most fondly about the holidays as a child? Where did you celebrate? With whom?



• What special foods do you and your family make for the holidays? Record the recipe along with a photo of the dish and the person who makes it.



• What holiday movies do you and your family like to watch?



• Who’s on your Christmas card list? (Include a copy of your annual family letter if you write one.)



• Are you big on holiday decorations? What do you do? Who strings the lights on the house? Who decorates the tree?



• Do you have any tree ornaments that you treasure? Who and where did they come from? Why are they special to you?



• What is the best gift you received this year? Why?



• What is the best gift you gave? Are you an early or last-minute shopper?



• Whom did you visit with? Who wasn’t there that you missed?



• What things do you do to make the holidays fun for your children? Does Santa leave gifts wrapped or unwrapped? What was in the stockings? Did you leave the jolly ol’ fellow milk and cookies?



• Do you attend church on Christmas Eve? Describe the service – songs, message, nativity play, etc.



• What are your hopes and dreams for the coming year?

Keep this list of journaling prompts handy during the holiday season, and you’ll be well on your way to preserving all of the special memories you make.

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