New Years Layout Ideas

Ten. Nine. Eight. Seven. Six. Five. Four. Three. Two. One. Happy New Year

There's no denying New Year's is an exciting occasion, but unlike Christmas and some other holidays, New Year's celebrations aren't always such great photo opportunities. After all, how many photos can you take of people wearing party hats and drinking champagne?

Fortunately, New Year's layouts don't have to focus on those moments immediately before and after the midnight ball drops. Instead, take the opportunity to reflect back on the year behind you and the coming year as well.

Here are some tips for fabulous New Year's layouts:

• Create a "Year in Review" layout or mini-album. What are your best and worst memories from 2005? What was your or your family's favorite movie? Television show? Pastime? What major milestones did you reach? What things were "in" and "out" this year at your house? What were your own news "headlines"? Don't get caught up in trying to capture everything from the past year; just focus on the highlights.

• Break out those metallics. Metallic-colored markers, brads, eyelets, glitter, alphabets and papers will add a touch of sparkle and pizzazz to your New Year's pages. Pair them with black and white for a formal look or light blues, pinks, purples and white for a soft winter effect.

• Scrap your New Year's resolutions, or if you don't make resolutions, your hopes and dreams for the coming year. What do you want to accomplish in 2006? What new places do you want to go to? What new foods do you want to try? What new skill do you want to learn? Is there an old friend with whom you would like to connect? Use a recent photo of yourself to accompany your list or use journaling only. Make a similar page for each member of your family, or have them make their own.

• Remember 2005 with a time capsule layout. Include factoids like the price of gas and a gallon of milk. (Include receipts if you have them.) Print out a list of the year's top films or bestselling books. List the top news headlines in your city and the nation. Take photographs of your house, car, clothes, furnishings and hairstyles. You will love looking at this layout 10 or 20 years from now and beyond.

• Have extra photos from the past year that you haven't scrapbooked yet? Make a collage layout out of them and use the title, "A Collage of Memories: 2005." Number each photo and provide a brief one- or two-line description of each in a hidden journaling box.

• Using scrapbook paint or washable ink, get each member of your family to put their handprint on one scrapbook page and a footprint on another. Label each with their name and age and add it to your family album or make a separate keepsake album out of them. (Hint: Put a thick coat of dishwashing soap on hands and feet before applying ink for easier cleanup.)

• Gather your friends and neighbors for a group photo. Have them all wear coordinating colors and pose in a nice outdoor location, where you'll have the best natural light. Have four people in the front row hold up the numbers 2-0-0-6. Make this an annual tradition, being sure to send each family a copy of the photo in addition to creating a layout for your scrapbook.

Look beyond the obvious when it comes to creating New Year's themed pages for your scrapbooks and you'll have memories to cherish for years to come.

Visit Scrapjazz for New Year Scrapbook products and ideas.