scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,461 
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Post by scrapnnana on Dec 1, 2021 13:09:48 GMT
We’re older. Our kids are grown. We don’t do cookie baking, won’t be Christmas caroling (especially with DH still recovering), and at best, I’ll be making most of my gifts. If I do any shopping, it will be via Amazon (not exactly photo worthy). There are two activities we may do this year. One we already attended, and we also went to it two years ago. It’s based on the 12 Days of Christmas.
The second one is put on by a not-so-local church, and is a recreation of Bethlehem and the Nativity story.
Any one of those events could be made into a separate Christmas mini album, or I guess I could combine them and get the equivalent of a December not-so-mini album. I’m thinking each needs to be separate.
My thoughts on doing the 12 Days of Christmas, though, lean towards showcasing each of the traditional Days of Christmas based on the song, and perhaps contrast with a modern equivalent of activities, but I’m not sure I can come up with an equivalent for each number 1 through 12. Can you help me brainstorm Christmas related activities that can incorporate the numbers? Or am I just trying to combine two very different things, only remotely linked by a song that was showcased at the Arboretum?
I have photos for each of the 12 Days of Christmas displays, but they are kind of more Victorian England. I’d kind of like to do a modern 12 Days of Christmas comparison. I may start it in December, but I doubt that I will finish it that soon.
The number one would be easy: 1 Christmas tree. After that, it gets a lot harder. Should I just skip the numbers and find some other way to contrast the old and the modern Christmas?
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Post by honeypea on Dec 1, 2021 14:17:29 GMT
2 turtle doves - enjoying a favorite holiday movie with Dove chocolates as a treat
3 French hens - make a chicken recipe? Try 3 recipes, possibly new, and compare them. Find three recipes, then make one of them?
4 Calling birds - make origami for tree ornaments?
Is this what you mean? I could go in, but maybe I misinterpreted what your aim is. I think with some imagination you could turn the twelve days into activities.
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Post by caspad on Dec 1, 2021 14:27:10 GMT
oooh!
4 calling birds - 4 people you talk/text/call connect the December and maybe a holiday memory associated with each person?
5 golden rings - 5 favorite Christmas carols or movies
12 pipers piping - a pile of your Amazon boxes!
I'm also thinking of that "modern" 12 Days of Christmas parody song - you know the "Stringing up the lights, Facing my inlaws" one? You could do 12 Days of Christmas Favorites highlighting one favorite thing past or present per day/number.
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msliz
Drama Llama
The Procrastinator
Posts: 6,419
Jun 26, 2014 21:32:34 GMT
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Post by msliz on Dec 1, 2021 14:59:08 GMT
I love this  I don't think you should even have to restrict yourself to taking such a literal approach to using the song. Just use anything in your life with those numbers. If you get stuck for any of them, you could always make or buy some holiday treats in that number, crafts in that number, or have a small party or outing for that many guests. Do you have houseplants you could decorate too? That could possibly give you a larger number. How many children or grandchildren do you have? If the numbers are right, maybe you could collect recent photos of them. |
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,461
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Post by scrapnnana on Dec 1, 2021 15:02:40 GMT
Thank you! I love these ideas!
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Post by Linda on Dec 1, 2021 19:56:26 GMT
I love this idea! So creative!
But don't discount the idea of documenting December...photos of you making the gifts, photos of the wrapped gifts, perhaps a stack of Amazon boxes with a bow or Santa hat on top?, do you send Christmas cards? include that. Snap a picture the cards you receive also. What about your favourite decorations - are there memories that go along with them? Any online gatherings you can screen shot?
I think Documenting December isn't just for families with young children and tons of activities, it's for everyone- singles, empty nesters, retirees, grandparents... and can definitely include memories of past years as well as what has changed over time. And there's nothing wrong with a page about what you weren't able to do this year.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,461
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Post by scrapnnana on Dec 2, 2021 14:48:36 GMT
I love this idea! So creative! But don't discount the idea of documenting December...photos of you making the gifts, photos of the wrapped gifts, perhaps a stack of Amazon boxes with a bow or Santa hat on top?, do you send Christmas cards? include that. Snap a picture the cards you receive also. What about your favourite decorations - are there memories that go along with them? Any online gatherings you can screen shot? I think Documenting December isn't just for families with young children and tons of activities, it's for everyone- singles, empty nesters, retirees, grandparents... and can definitely include memories of past years as well as what has changed over time. And there's nothing wrong with a page about what you weren't able to do this year. Thank you, these are all great suggestions. I tend to take photos if individual projects, but hadn’t thought to do a group photo of cards or gifts made, let alone the packages to mail. I’m usually so focused on just getting them sent. |
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joyfulnana
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,055
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Post by joyfulnana on Dec 3, 2021 14:06:44 GMT
I love this idea! I'm going to try and incorporate this into my December Album.
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Post by hmp on Dec 6, 2021 1:50:57 GMT
I just saw the opening night concert of the Boston Pops Holiday Concert. I think their rendition of the 12 Days of Christmas is the musical equivalent of what you are hoping to create. It combines the traditional with the contemporary in very clever & humorous ways. While it is very entertaining, I found myself hearing the words & meaning of the song in different ways. Google it and take a listen. If you don’t find any inspiration, at least you will get about 10 minutes of holiday entertainment by a top notch orchestra & chorus. But I’m pretty sure you will be inspired!
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Post by grammadee on Dec 6, 2021 3:05:50 GMT
I love the idea of doing a 12 Days of Christmas album! And your photos of the 12Days event (or program or ticket stubs) would be perfect to wind it up! How many cards are you making— or do you usually receive? That could be a LO. And don’t discount the packages arriving. jeremysgirl posted a pic of her delivery driver and the unopened package in response to one of sleepingbooty’s prompts. I think I remember a parody song to the tune of Tannenbaum: “Amazon, oh Amazon…”. But you could adapt it to any tune: a pile of Amazon pkgs: “Six boxes smiling…” On another note: My dh took some pics of a pair of partridges in our farmyard a few days ago. No pear trees though. |
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,461
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Post by scrapnnana on Dec 6, 2021 5:09:16 GMT
I really think this will work with a modern version vs. the old.
But I will also be documenting the (relatively)few festivities/outings that we do. Last year our Christmas had to be postponed due to DH having back surgery and 3 weeks of rehab. The only reason we had even a tiny celebration was due to our youngest DS and DDIL. I cried when I came home from the hospital to find my house decorated, and a tiny Christmas tree set up by the fireplace. I’d had neither the time or the heart to decorate.
This Christmas will be a huge contrast to last year. I’m really counting my blessings, and I want to document this Christmas in a special way. It deserves to be a mini album.
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