Thursday, September 2nd, 2010 at
2:59 PM
Holiday traditions are among the most followed customs that exist in families around the world. That is why it is important to carefully preserve them in such a way that they can easily be passed down from one generation to the next. Holiday scrapbooking is a creative way to do this, and makes the overall process great fun.
Whether casually simple, or complexly involved, traditions are a way to leave behind the sentiment of a particular occasion, and what better way to preserve the memories than to chronicle them in an holiday scrapbooking album that will be talked about for years to come. You may decide to commemorate each ritual by showcasing an array of pictures arranged in an artful design, or take it a step further by incorporating other forms of ornamentation that will personalize your scrapbook, but either way, be sure to add your own special touches to make it truly yours. Below are some tips that will help you get started.
When choosing photographs, select pictures that are as closely related to a particular tradition as possible. For example, if you are chronicling the annual family tree trimming, be certain you include photos of everyone involved. You might also show the various stages of the tree as it is trimmed, and end the segment by presenting images of the finished product. If you are missing certain pictures, try substituting them with information documenting what is missing and explaining what took place so as to create a mental image.
Use items associated with the entire family. If you children brought home hand made ornaments in the past that are no longer hung on the tree, consider adding them to your new holiday scrapbook. They will add a nice touch and invoke many fond memories.
Keep a journal of the holidays, beginning with the preparation, and ending with the occurrences of the big day. Disperse segments of this journal throughout the holiday scrapbook to go along with the photos and other memorabilia.
Turn the entire holiday scrapbooking adventure into a holiday tradition of your own. You can do this in one of two ways: by putting it on display each year for family members to view, or by encouraging those around you to add to it. You might also want to continue passing it down through generations so family members in each can add their own special touches. This is also a great way to see how family traditions evolve over time, and will help keep those precious memories forever alive and well.
Michele Cardello, director of marketing and creative for Life Imprints, a creative scrapbooking supplies company in Cleveland, Ohio, has worked in the photo packaging industry for 10 years. Cardello helps customers find creative ways to preserve and appreciate a lifetime of memories.
