Christmas Planner

Last year at Christmas, I remember seeing Christmas Planners made from file folders on several blogs. I thought they were really neat but never took the time to make one until now. So here's my version:

I purchased this patterned paper at Hobby Lobby. It's from the "Out & About" line by My Mind's Eye. As you can see, it's not really traditional Christmas colors but I still like it for this project. The ribbon is American Crafts Elements (which coordinates with the papers quite well I thought!) and I used Palette Burnt Umber ink. The title was stamped using the Simple-bet stamp set by The Angel Company.

Here's the inside. I used a regular 8 1/2" x 11 manilla file folder to make this planner. I used my Scor-Pal to score at 8" from the top and folded the bottom section up to create the inside pockets. Then I scored each side of the folder in half. The front of the folder (with no tab) was scored at 4 1/4" from the center and the back of the folder (with the tab) was scored at 4 1/2" from the center. So two of the pockets are 1/4" wider than the other two.

I adhered patterned paper to each section and solid cardstock to the front of each pocket. I just measured the file folder sections and deducted 1/4" from each number to cut my pieces.

One of my favorite sites right now is Organized Christmas. They have some awesome printable forms in .pdf format for Christmas Planners. You can find them HERE. They all have 3 lists per page. For some categories, that will be enough (trim them apart to have 3 lists) and for other categories (like Christmas Cards), you made need to print more than one sheet. I highly recommend them - all the work is done for you!

The Organized Christmas site also has a few different variations of Christmas Planners HERE with links to instructions.

Here's the first inside pocket. My list in this pocket is for "Stocking Stuffers". As I mentioned before, the forms are printed 3 lists to a page, so I trimmed each list down to to 7 1/4" by 3" and attached all 3 of them with brads to a piece of 7 1/2" x 3 1/4" Bazzill cardstock. The reason I used brads is so that I can easily take the lists off and print new lists to attach for next year's planning.

Here's a close-up of the image on this pocket. The stamp is by Studio G. I used my Giga and Mega Scalloped Oval punches. The background swirl is an image from the Spring Dream stamp set by The Angel Company. I stamped this background on every pocket.

Also, you can see the 3 white flower eyelets. I added 3 to the pocket and 3 to the front of the folder. Then tied the pocket together with ribbon to hold it closed on the side. (See picture #1 for the front view).

In pocket #2, I have "Gift List" and "Menu".

The stocking is a retired image by The Angel Company. I colored it with BIC Mark-it markers and used my Giga and Mega Scalloped Circle punches.

In the third pocket, I have "Shopping List" and also a "Receipts" pocket.

The Receipts pocket was simply made from an envelope (3 5/8" x 6 1/2" size). I sealed the flap, trimmed about 1/4" off one end so there is an opening, covered one side of it with patterned paper, and used a 1" circle punch to make a notch at the top. I used the Simple-bet stamp set by The Angel Company and the Fiskars Threading Water Punch here also.

Here's a view of the image on pocket #3. It's also a retired TAC image, colored with BIC Mark-it markers, and mounted on Mega and Giga Scalloped circles.

Pocket #4 contains a "Christmas Cards" list. I printed more than one sheet of this one! The sentiment on the file tab is by Stampin Up.

Another retired TAC image was used on this pocket as well as the Giga and Mega Scalloped oval punches.

Last but not least, here is the back of my Christmas Planner.

Well, I hope you've enjoyed looking at my latest project. If you make one, I would love to see it! Leave a comment with a link! Also, check out my blog, Angel Stamper, for more inspiration.

Have a wonderful day! Tootles!