Have you ever heard of a December Daily? Do you sometimes wonder what this whole “December Daily” thing is about? A December Daily is a journal, diary, or memory book where you capture your memories from December
Why do so many people around the world create memory albums specifically for December?
We can probably all agree that December is quite a special time of year. Christmas is one of the most popular, commercialized, and widely celebrated holidays. The festive season starts at the beginning of the month—or even earlier—and it’s worth capturing these moments and preserving the spirit of the season. Plus, creating a December Daily is a great way to start documenting memories. Why?
It’s a short-term commitment – You only need to commit to one month.
It’s beginner-friendly – If you’re new to memory keeping, it might seem like there’s nothing worth documenting in your everyday life. Maybe you’re not traveling or experiencing big events right now. But December has a way of offering magical moments on its own. And if it doesn’t?
Here’s a personal story: There was a time when November and December were incredibly difficult for me. That’s when I stumbled upon the idea of a December Daily. At first, I had no clue what it was. I read a few articles, browsed Pinterest, bought just a few supplies, looked for things I already had at home, and started making my December Daily.
It’s probably one of the ugliest December Dailies out there 😉, but it’s also my most cherished. Why? Because it helped me shift my perspective and, even if I had to force it a little, look for beautiful moments to document. Trust me, these can be the simplest of moments. And that brings us to the next question…
Why Should You Create a December Daily?
You might think, “I already have so much on my plate in December—why add a December Daily to the mix?” But the point isn’t to create more obligations. It’s about pausing. Taking a moment to stop and savor the present. To notice what you have and preserve it for years to come. Because while every December might feel similar, each one is unique in its own way.
Thanks to my first December Daily, November and December now feel much brighter to me. I revisit it every year. My second December Daily? I never finished it. But the next one? I did. And that’s okay. There’s no pressure—this is meant to be fun and something positive.
How to Create a December Daily
You don’t need a fancy album or a pile of supplies. Sure, browsing for, gathering, and purchasing supplies for your December Daily can be part of the fun—I personally love that process! But if it feels overwhelming, you should know it’s absolutely not required.
Most often, December Dailies are created in Project Life albums or designated junk journals. You can also purchase printable kits that include just about everything you might need (check out my designs here!).
But you can just as easily create your December Daily in a notebook, planner, or even loose pages that you bind together at the end. That’s exactly how I made my first one—sturdy, colorful loose pages that I bound together only after finishing the project.
What to Include in Your December Daily
What should you document or add to your album?
Take, for example, the iconic wintertime cup of hot cocoa (or tea, or coffee—whatever you prefer). You can:
- Take a simple photo of it.
- Snap a creative picture from an interesting angle.
- Make a quick sketch of it.
- Dip the mug’s bottom in cocoa or tea, stamp it onto a page, and jot down a few words next to it.
- Or just save the tea bag wrapper or a piece of the cocoa packaging.
The possibilities are endless!
What Can You Add to Your December Daily?
Here are some ideas:
- Photos
- Wrapping paper
- Shopping lists (the real ones you no longer need)
- Gift lists
- Pieces of an advent calendar (used numbers, doors, or other parts)
- Christmas cards (from last year, this year, blank ones, or even used ones)
- Bits of holiday decorations
And so much more! If you’re curious, check out my blog post: What to Collect for Junk Journaling.
What Events or Aspects of Life Should You Document in a December Daily?
Anything you feel like documenting! Prompt lists can be helpful for inspiration. Some prompts might be straightforward, like “Christmas tree,” while others could be more abstract, like “the color red.”
You don’t have to work on your December Daily every day. If you feel inspired to start halfway through December, go for it! It doesn’t have to be chronological—there are no rules. It can be a collection of random impressions, events, and feelings, or you can take a more journalistic approach. Whatever suits you best!
Inspiration for Your December Daily
I’ve created a list of prompts to help you with ideas for your entries (find it below). I’ll be using this list myself this year. Remember, these are just suggestions.
I hope this post has inspired you and brought you closer to understanding the magic of a December Daily. I’d love to hear your thoughts—leave a comment and let me know what you think about documenting memories from December!
