{Affiliate Disclosure} As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I also participate in other affiliate programs and may earn commissions if you shop through the links used on this website.

Holiday Journaling: DIY Advent Calendar and Memory Keeper


Holiday journaling is a great way to add Yuletide cheer to your routine. I added Christmas stamps, hand-lettered quotes, and family photos to create this festive DIY advent calendar and memory keeper.

 

Fun Christmas page for holiday journaling, memory keeping. Hand lettered quotes for 12 Days of Christmas, DIY Advent Calendar. #journaling #memorykeeping

Fun Christmas page for holiday journaling, memory keeping. Hand lettered quotes for 12 Days of Christmas, DIY Advent Calendar. #journaling #memorykeeping

Holiday Journaling: DIY Advent Calendar and Memory Keeper

This post has been a few days in the making! I started my holiday journaling during Planvember, and you all helped my brainstorm during the Facebook Live videos. I promised I would show you the finished product, so here it is!

I’ve included the video below, or if you prefer, you can simply skim this post for all the supplies I used. As promised, I’ve also included close-up photos of my finished pages. Enjoy!

Facebook LIVE Replay

If you missed the live session on my Facebook page, you can watch the replay below. Follow my page and turn on your notifications, so you don’t miss these virtual journaling parties in the future! After the live, I added some red glitter washi tape and finished up the lettered phrases.

12 Days of Christmas Journal Pages

During my live journaling sessions on Facebook, you all requested a journal advent calendar. I experimented with a couple of way to make that happen, but I decided I wanted something that could double as a memory keeper.

When I was a kid, my sister and I had chocolate Advent calendars. Yes, the really cheesy cardboard ones with waxy chocolate. We weren’t picky! I  couldn’t wait to open a window each night to see what the candy would be shaped like. I may not be able to fit chocolates into my journal, but a few holiday quotes are a great way to sweeten the day.

Rather than including all the days leading up to Christmas, I decided to only make 12 windows for the 12 days of Christmas. You can adjust the size and number of cards to suit whatever holidays you celebrate.

Fun Christmas page for holiday journaling, memory keeping. Hand lettered quotes for 12 Days of Christmas, DIY Advent Calendar. #journaling #memorykeeping

Supplies mentioned: 

How to Make a Journal Advent Calendar

A lot of this is explained in the video, but here’s a quick run through of the basics…

  1. Cut your doors: I used my HP Sprocket as a guide for sizing my paper flaps. You’ll see why in a bit. Use whatever size makes sense for you.
  2. Add doodles, fun quotes or hand-lettered holiday phrases: I stamped and lettered my flaps before taping them down. It’s just easier for me to work on a flat surface.
  3. Tape them down with washi tape: I added an outline underneath each door to help me place my photos correctly later on.
  4. Decorate as desired: You can really personalize this aspect of this spread according to your style. If you like a clean minimalist look, you can skip the color and use basic lettering styles. Just have fun and be you!
  5. Add your photos! I’m using my HP Sprocket to print  photos straight from my phone (more on that later). It’s the most convenient option for me. You can use whatever photo printing method you’re most comfortable with.

Now, for those close-up photos I promised you…

Originally, I couldn’t decide whether I wanted photos or quotes under the cards. I had my heart set on both. During the live video, you all  suggested using the back side of the card (seriously, why didn’t I think of that?). So, I adjusted my plan, left the boxes empty and added hand lettered quotes to the back of the card. This way, I can add family photos to the page under the flap and still see the festive word art!

With a blank window behind each card, I have spaces for 12 family photos (one each day during the 12 days of Christmas).

Fun Christmas page for holiday journaling, memory keeping. Hand lettered quotes for 12 Days of Christmas, DIY Advent Calendar. #journaling #memorykeeping

I haven’t figured out a way for my journal to dispense chocolate (I’ve got my best people working on it day and night, though), so I treated myself to some sweet Christmas-themed phrases.

On this particular card (photo above), I used a Tombow Fudenosuke brush pen to play around with some fun lettering.

Christmas Stamps + a Splash of Color

If I’m in a hurry (or focused on planning) I don’t use many extras. Still, every now and then I create a page just because I want to play with my fun supplies. This was definitely one of those times! Whitney (of Life By Whitney) sent me these super cute planner stamps, and I couldn’t resist them.

Fun Christmas page for holiday journaling, memory keeping. Hand lettered quotes for 12 Days of Christmas, DIY Advent Calendar. #journaling #memorykeeping

First off, these stamps designs are adorable! They’re quite small (just the right size for planning or creative journaling), and I was really happy with how clean the designs look.

Whitney’s stamps are made of clear photopolymer, so when you get them they’ll be on a single plastic sheet. Since they’re self-sticking, I used them with clear acrylic stamp blocks I already had on hand. I generally prefer these clear stamps because I can keep a variety of designs, but they take up much less space than wooden stamps.

You just peel a stamp from the sheet, stick it to the block and stamp away! When you’re done, you can put the stamp back on the plastic sheet for storage.

Fun Christmas page for holiday journaling, memory keeping. Hand lettered quotes for 12 Days of Christmas, DIY Advent Calendar. #journaling #memorykeeping

Of course, I had to add a touch of color, so I broke out my Tombow TwinTones (the photos shows the fine side of the pen). I also dug into my trusty Staedtler Triplus Fineliners for some of the light browns and peach tones (Santa, Rudolph, and the gingerbread boy).

Final Touches: Advent Calendar and Memory Keeper

So, I mentioned that I’m using my HP Sprocket to add photos to my journal pages. There are a few other companies that make these inkless photo printers. I can’t speak for the rest of them, but I’ve been very happy with my HP Sprocket. Don’t expect professional results out of these little guys, but they are one of the easiest ways to add photos to your smashbook, travel notebook, or everyday journal.

Fun Christmas page for holiday journaling, memory keeping. Hand lettered quotes for 12 Days of Christmas, DIY Advent Calendar. #journaling #memorykeeping

The Sprocket uses 2 in. x 3 in. Zink paper. That’s usually ideal for my journal, but for this spread it was too large. I took my photos into PicMonkey and collaged them so I can fit two photos on a single 2 x 3 sheet. Then I simply printed them and cut the sheets in half. They fit my boxes perfectly!

Fun Christmas page for holiday journaling, memory keeping. Hand lettered quotes for 12 Days of Christmas, DIY Advent Calendar. #journaling #memorykeeping

Now, I have this cute picture of Lola with her Christmas squeaker toy. Since my HP Sprocket prints on Zink sticker paper, I can peel the back off and slap it right into my journal. Scrapbooking has always been a challenge for me, but this makes it easier to add photos quickly. I can’t wait to fill my pages with this year’s family memories!

Do you create special holiday memory pages in your journal? Lists, photos, written reflections? I want to hear about all of them! Drop me a comment below with your ideas and tips…

Brainstorm with me!

Subscribe to my newsletter for Page Flutter updates, posts, and announcements,
and FREE access to resources in the Vault!
Don’t worry, I only deliver the good stuff. No spam.

Facebook // Twitter// Instagram // Pinterest

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSaveSaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

Megan Rutell on FacebookMegan Rutell on GoogleMegan Rutell on InstagramMegan Rutell on PinterestMegan Rutell on TwitterMegan Rutell on Wordpress
Megan Rutell
Megan Rutell
Writer & Creative Blogger
Megan Rutell is the blogger behind Page Flutter. She's also a writer, stationery lover, Air Force veteran, and homesick Colorado girl.

6 thoughts on “Holiday Journaling: DIY Advent Calendar and Memory Keeper”

  1. I just absolutely love this idea! New to bullet journaling (as in I am currently setting up my first one- I haven’t actually started), I have been overwhelmed by all.the.openness. I appreciate your page for setting a foundation to start with. This advent calendar (did I mention I have NEVER done an advent calendar?) is on my list for next December.

    1. Thanks, Heather! Yes, the flood of possibilities can be very overwhelming at first. Take your time with it and it can be an amazing experience. Happy journaling! 🙂

  2. hi megan. hope the holiday season is going well. I miss your videos everyday. I am new to following a blogger. I am mostly old school. lol. I was wondering is their a bloger link or is it all the videos, messages you send etc that is the blog. I just don’t want to miss anything. I love your ideas & your upbeat attitude.
    from one vet to another. hugs
    MERRY CHRISTMAS
    &
    HAPPY NEW YEAR
    Cheryl Jackson from Colorado
    ps no snow yet except in the mountains

    1. Hi, Cheryl! Great to hear from you. My blog (pageflutter.com) is my main hub, so you can usually find all the latest happenings on there. I also stay active on various social media networks : Facebook (which you already know), Pinterest, and Instagram. I use those to supplement or promote what I’m doing on the website. I included my Facebook videos in posts on the website for anyone who couldn’t make it to the Facebook sessions. If you check the website, you shouldn’t miss anything!

      I also send out a monthly newsletter with all my latest posts, announcements, and so forth. I miss our videos, too! Speaking of…I’ve been busy reshuffling my regular blogging schedule so that I can have a weekly FB LIVE session after the New Year! They won’t be everyday, but at least we can get our group back together. Have a wonderful Christmas! 🙂

Comments are closed.