Imagine sitting by the glowing tree on December 26th, holding a chunky, crinkly book filled with memories. This isn’t a sterile photo album; it is a DIY Christmas junk journal for beginners that captures the real chaos and joy of the season. We are going to build a textured, beautiful keepsake using things you usually throw away.
As a busy mom of three, my holiday season is usually a blur of wrapping paper and chaos. I used to stress about perfect scrapbooks, but now I love scrapbooking with holiday cards and leftovers instead. It is the perfect low-stress creative outlet for tired moms.
This project solves the fear of the blank page by using “clutter” to build your background. If you are wondering What do I put in a Christmas junk journal?, I will show you exactly how to turn receipts and ribbons into treasure. This is the ultimate guide to memory keeping ideas for moms who want to remember the magic without the pressure.
📸 [Image-1: A stunning, high-resolution photo of the finished Christmas Junk Journal, styled on a mantle or tree with twinkle lights.]
🎁 Free Download: Holiday Scavenger Hunt Checklist
Make this craft way easier! Click here to download my free PDF checklist so you know exactly which receipts, tags, and ribbons to save from the trash pile.
📝 Key Materials
Before we dive into the full supply list, here are the heavy hitters you need to grab:
- Composition Notebook (or cereal box for cover), Glue Stick, Scissors, Christmas Washi Tape, Assorted “Holiday Trash” (wrapping paper/tags).
Supplies & Equipment Breakdown
Consumable Materials:
- Base: Old hardback book or standard Composition notebook.
- Ephemera: Greeting cards, grocery receipts, toy packaging, gift tags.
- Paper: Wrapping paper scraps, brown paper grocery bags.
- Decor: Stickers, ribbons, and washi tape Christmas crafts supplies.
Tools:
- Scissors.
- Ruler.
- Black fine-point pen (for journaling).
- Stapler.
Step 1: The Holiday Scavenger Hunt
The first step is simply gathering your materials. Do not go out and buy expensive paper packs! We want to focus on Christmas ephemera DIY sourced from your own home.
Look for items with texture, like crinkly tissue paper or shiny ribbons. Save the receipt from your big grocery haul; it tells a story about what your family ate this year.
Step 2: Prep the Base (The “Bulky Book” Fix)
If you paste things into a standard notebook without prepping it, the book will bulge open like an alligator mouth. You must make room for your layers.
Open your composition notebook. Rip out every third page carefully near the spine.
📸 [Image-2: A close-up shot of hands carefully tearing out a page from a composition notebook near the spine.]
Once the pages are removed, glue the remaining thin pages together in pairs. This creates thick, sturdy pages that can hold heavy glue or paint without curling.
Step 3: Building “Containers” and Pockets
Now we need places to tuck your photos and loose notes. This is where how to make a junk journal from wrapping paper gets really fun.
Take an old envelope or a sturdy greeting card. Apply adhesive to just three sides of the item and press it onto your page.
Leave the top edge open so you can slide tags inside. This is essential for holding movie tickets or letters to Santa.
📸 [Image-3: Close-up macro shot of the tape runner applying a strip of adhesive to the bottom edge of a holiday card.]
Step 4: The “Anti-Perfectionist” Layouts
Do not overthink the design. Start by gluing a large scrap of wrapping paper as a background to break the “blank page” fear.
Layer a photo on top of the wrapping paper. Add a receipt or a gift tag slightly overlapping the photo for a collage look.
Use tape to secure the edges and add a pop of color. These festive junk journal layout ideas rely on layering to look artistic.
📸 [Image-4: A flat lay showing a chaotic but beautiful journal spread with receipts, ribbons, and a photo layered with washi tape.]
Step 5: Journaling the Memories
Finally, use your black pen to write over the plain spaces or on the back of tags. Write down the funny things your kids said or what went wrong with the turkey.
This approach works perfectly for December daily ideas. You don’t need a whole page for every day; just write a few lines about the moment.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What do I put in a Christmas junk journal?
A: Anything goes! I include cookie recipes, pieces of wrapping paper from favorite gifts, the tag from new pajamas, and even the weather forecast for Christmas day.
Q: How to make pockets in a junk journal?
A: The easiest way is to use old envelopes. Seal the envelope shut, cut it in half, and glue three sides down to your page. You instantly have a pocket!
Q: Best glue for thin wrapping paper?
A: Wet glue (like Elmer’s) will make thin paper wrinkle and warp. Always use a glue stick or a dry tape runner for the best smooth finish.
Q: How to bind a junk journal simply?
A: If you don’t want to sew, just use an existing Composition Notebook or an old book. You simply glue your papers over the existing pages, so no complex binding is required.
Final Thoughts
This project is about process, not perfection. By the time the holidays are over, you will have a thick, crinkly DIY Christmas junk journal for beginners that feels like a time capsule.
Don’t let the clutter stress you out. Grab that wrapping paper and start creating!
