For Christmas this year I made my fiancĆ© a little scrapbook of our biggest moments together. At first, all I knew was that I wanted to write our story; I didnāt know how I wanted to present it. After searching online for a few hours, I didnāt find anything helpful. So, I decided to combine a hobby I used to love with this spontaneous idea. I wasnāt sure it was going to work (I really wanted it to be perfect) but I was short on time so I decided to wing it. Hereās what I did and how I did it if you want to make one for your significant other:
Step One: Write the story. I found this was the best way to begin because it creates an outline for the book. I was lucky the inspiration hit only a few days after I got the idea. I think I was waiting in a lobby of a doctorās office and it probably took me ten minutes to write everything I wanted the book to say. Later, all I had to do was correct some grammar and choose the font, then print it out. It was easy and exactly how I wanted it to sound. So, if you want to write yours effortlessly, I recommend doing the following to start your story: wait for inspiration to hit, write it all down exactly like you hear it in your head, then donāt change it too much. The point of this gift is to be thoughtful and, as lame as it sounds, speak from the heart.
Step Two: Once youāve written your outline, gather the supplies. I recommend picking your favorite craft store and getting what you need all in one day. Donāt over-complicate this part of the project. The hardest part is coming up next, so donāt spend too much time wondering if youāre getting the perfect supplies. I went to Michaels, spent a fair amount of time in the scrapbook isle, chose four sticker sets, picked out the little scrapbook, then left. I thought at the time that Iād be back after I started the project, but it I had gotten everything I needed in that short trip.
Step Three: For this step, I recommend setting aside half a day. This is the hardest part of the whole project (and the most important), so you donāt want to feel rushed. I sat down to put my scrapbook together around three in the afternoon, having the rest of the day free of any plans. When I initially got started, I had no idea Iād need all that time. But, I did end up working into the night. I finished it right before my fiancĆ© got home from closing a retail store. Putting together a thoughtful story about your love for someone takes quite a bit of time, it seems.
I donāt really have a lot of advice on how to put everything together. My biggest recommendation is to take your time. Along with that, just donāt over-think it. If you like the way something looks, stick it down and move on. This project is supposed to look homemade and kind of silly. Remember, from the heart.
Step Four: Finally, you have finished sticking all the stickers and arranging all the pictures. Youāve also put your carefully thought-out words on each page. Now, clean up. Make sure everything looks right on each page. Re-read the story. Make sure it still flows right. Then, ask someone else to look at it. This is something your significant other is going to cherish, so make sure you like the way it turned out.
Bonus Advice: Try to wait to give it to them until whatever holiday youāre giving it to them on. I swear, if I hadnāt wrapped it a few days after making it, I mightāve given it to him before Christmas. I was so excited.
Below is each page I made, in case you are a visual learner:
How to Make an āOur Storyā Scrapbook For Christmas this year I made my fiancĆ© a little scrapbook of our biggest moments together. At first, all I knew was that I wanted to write our story; I didnāt know how I wanted to present it.
