by Hillary Wild

Every year it seems the holiday season goes by in a flash, and the next thing you know it is the middle of January, and you wonder where the time had gone.

A wonderful way to preserve those memories is to create a journal to document the holidays. This is a very simple DIY version anyone can do!

First, get a large size envelope (12 x 9  inches). This will be your cover. Fold it in half width-wise, and with a larger thick needle, put 3 holes at even intervals down the spine of the cover. You can decorate it with scrapbooking paper before or after the book is made. If you decorate before, wait to put holes in the spine until after you are finished decorating the spine or you may end up covering the holes. There are beautiful 12-by-12 inch holiday themed papers you can find a Hobby Lobby as well as 8 1/2-by-11 inch papers that are perfect for the pages of the book and embellishing the cover.

You will need nine sheets of 8 1/2-by-11 inch paper to create the pages of your journal. You can use printer paper if you’d like or alternate with holiday-themed paper. Fold the nine sheets in half width-wise and the put holes in the spine of the signature at the same intervals using the holes you created in the cover as your guide, so they match up. Thread them together using thick thread, and leave enough slack at the end of the thread where you knot it so you can tie and secure it when you are finished binding. Starting in the center hole put the needle through and then thread it through the hole above, then back through center and then through the bottom. Follow this stitching once again. Once all holes are secure tie it off with a secure knot with the slack in the center.

The next step is to preserve the memories of the holiday season within the pages of the journal. Take photos, journal about special moments to hold on to, and keep little mementos within the pages of your journal.

This journal is a work in progress so the decorating and the memories you choose to fill it with are meant to take time and be a thoughtful experience so you can embrace the creative process and the holiday season. Have fun and enjoy!

[one_third][/one_third][two_third_last]Hillary Wild is a photography, DIY and craft addict pursuing her BA in English at Grand Valley State University.[/two_third_last]