During the month of December, I love going to my mailbox. I look past the bills and junk mail, and on most days I get at least one Christmas card. Once Christmastime is over and the mailbox seems a little empty, it's not so much fun anymore.
About 3 years ago, I came up with a plan on what to do with all of the photos and photo cards we get for the holidays. Since I love to scrapbook, I decided to start a scrapbook just for these photos. As much as I wish I could include the Christmas letters and cards in my scrapbook...there's just not enough space. I do, however, keep them in a special box. I think it will be fun to find them later on, but for now they are tucked away.
In the picture below is where all the cards "lived" during the holidays, but next year I think I'll find something where I can display them a little better. I have something where you can hang the cards, but it's too small to hold the many cards that we receive. One of my friends puts them on the back of her front door, which I really like.
Creating a Christmas Scrapbook
Step One:
Look through your greetings and find all of the cards with pictures. Trim the pictures from all the photo cards and photos. I almost hate doing this because then it doesn't preserve the actual Christmas card (which for a photo card designer, is kind of ironic). Unfortunately, I just have to think more about the space and it works better to crop out just the picture.
Step Two:
Find some Christmas-style background paper. I like to alternate each year and try to pick different colors/styles. That way each year can have a unique look so you can distinguish the years as you're looking through the book.
Step Three:
Make sure all your photos will fit by laying them out on the paper.
Step Four:
Put a backing on each picture with coordinating colors.
Step Five:
Add simple embellishments and names for each picture. I don't like a lot of stickers and extra embellishments for this particular scrapbook because there are so many pictures that I want to be the focus. I print the names of the family or person in the picture off the computer and then trim them, back them with cardstock, and glue them next to the picture. I also include the year on the first page for that year.
The Finished Product:
Starting with the title page...
2006 (& part of 2005 on the left)
more of 2006
2007 (& part of 2006 on the left)
more of 2007
2008
more of 2008
One tip would be to wait a couple of weeks after Christmas before making pages for that year. You never know if you'll get a stray card in the mail. It's happened to me two years in a row. You think I should learn my lesson!
This is what works for me in preserving memories of Christmas greetings from friends and family.
Find out what works for others at Rocks in My Dryer.
18 comments:
Heidi, I love it! I cannot wait to begin this year. Of course I am going to copy you, because that is what I do.
Kim
I love how simple and beautiful your scrapbook is! I always hate throwing the pictures and cards away… that would be a great way to keep them year to year.
I might scrapbook if I could keep it elegant like yours! I'll have to try scrapbooking again.
LOVE this idea - I do it, too! Your pages are just beautiful.
Totally LOVE it! I will have to do something like this... all mine are in a box and it's kinda sad.
During Christmas I display mine in the hallway on ribbons. I hang 3 ribbons horizontally on thumbtacks. I used to the attach the cards with paperclips but now I use cute little clips I got from Stampin Up (I think they're called library clips?). They're those office clampy things. Anyway... just an idea for you. :)
Very nice idea. Thank you for sharing it. I've always wondered what to do with those nice pictures. :)
Great idea! I've been just sticking in the pics in our photo album, but I love this excuse to dig out my scrapbook stuff!
That is a great idea since I always feel slightly guilty in throwing away all those cards after Christmas...now you have a fun way to look back!
Carrie
Oohhh! I love it. (I liked seeing my family grow over the years in your book!)
I really love this idea! I am a big scrapbooker, but I'm always at a loss on how to "scrap" all the cards and photos we recieve! Thanks for the tip!
What a neat idea! Now I just need a scrapbook fairy to do it for me. LOL
I copied a friend this year & "wrapped" the inside of our front door in wrapping paper, then let the kids tape the incoming Christmas cards to it. Easy & pretty display & Super quick clean up! Just peel off the ones you want to keep, then tear off wrapping paper & throw away.
I love this! I think you are starting to inspire me to get more organized!
OH my word..I love what you did! I scrap my cards too..it is so fun to see how friends and family members change!!!
-sandy toe
You are amazingly organized with everything! What a great idea, especially since it's always such a great picture of different families, it's one you want to keep, but now you can actually look at them! I'm adding them into my scrapbook pages. I like how simple and clean you kept them to keep the photographs the focus. Thanks for the idea!
This is what I want to do. I have piles of Christmas card pictures that I've kept over the years. I like it because it's simple.
Thanks Heidi for the great idea.
Devonne
You are unbelievably good at this stuff! And you explain like a pro. I so enjoy your blog.
PS: I'm Lindsay, your mom's friend from Kodiak. I feel like I've known you since your wedding. (I got to hear all the details during lunch and recess :)
Oh, and I forgot the reason I was commenting!
I keep all my cards in a box so that when my kids grow up, we can cut them up and make home-made cards. I've been keeping them for years and years. I can't wait till Rodney's old enough to use scissors and glue.
Kind of....
Love it! I started and finished one several years ago, but gave up starting a new one. The old one was too big and unwieldy. I'm going to do this just using the photos. Brilliant!
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