One of the neatest things about the Christmas season is the focus on traditions. Many, many people attach huge amounts of importance to traditions that they carry on with family and friends for years and even generations.

Journaling at Christmas time will help you capture those feelings and record the details of just what you did during the run-up to the holiday. You can capture practical information in your journal, such as recipes that you want to be sure to remember, the logistics of how you seat everyone for that huge family dinner, who you sent cards to or exchanged presents with, and so forth.  You can also record your innermost thoughts and feelings, vent, or recall precious memories from Christmases past.

In other words, journaling will make your holiday more complete. It’s the perfect way to sneak some quiet time in the middle of the hectic schedule, and also a great excuse to demand some solitude during a time when there are often many demands on your time. Journaling gives you all-important “me” time that can help you stay sane in the middle of happy chaos.

Your Christmas journal may well become a family heirloom. In the years to come, your children, grandchildren and great-greats will treasure this glimpse into your daily life.

So, there are loads of reasons to start a Christmas journal. Once you make up your mind to create a holiday journaling tradition, the next step is to make yourself follow through.  I’ve spoken with many friends who tell me it that journaling would be a great idea, but….  They always have an excuse or a reason that stands in their way from implementing the plan.  The idea seems overwhelming to them, and so they put it off for another year “when things are more calm.”

Guess what? That “calm year” is mythical. “Next year” somehow never arrives.  If you truly see the advantages and perks for holiday journaling,  you need to bite the bullet and be intentional about making this tradition a part of your holiday season.

Set yourself up with the supplies you need: a notebook or a commercially-made Christmas journal, something to write with (I adore brightly-colored pens!), and a plan.  Find a quiet place or time when you can focus for even a few moments and a comfortable spot to sit and write (or type). Set a goal for yourself. Maybe try writing for just ten or fifteen minutes a few times each week, especially at first. For many people, life is most conducive for journaling early in the morning or last thing at night. Find the time that is right for you, then stick to it. You will come to cherish this island of quiet in the midst of your otherwise harried life. Once you come to cherish it, you will find yourself guarding it jealously, and then you know that journaling at Christmas has become an unshakable holiday tradition that you will keep up for the rest of your life.

If you are like many people, sometimes the blank page feels intimidating.  You can’t think of anything “important” to write, so you don’t.  The solution for that situation is a commercially-made Christmas journal.  Examine a few to find the right one for you.  Each will have different features and focuses, so consider what sort of things you want to remember. Are you interested in recording the details of each holiday season, or are you searching for an outlet for your creative writing skills?  If you find that you ARE looking for a journal that encompasses both types of writing, I urge you to check out Keeping Christmas: A Holiday Keepsake Journal over on Amazon.  This ten-year journal includes spaces to record important details about card and gift exchanges, recipes, and so forth, and it also includes two open-ended creative writing prompts, as well as space to describe your favorite traditions and memories from the Christmas season. It’s perfect for young and old, anyone starting new traditions or in new life circumstances, and more.  Click the link below to visit the Amazon sales page: http://www.amazon.com/Keeping-Christmas-Holiday-Keepsake-Journal/dp/1944088997.