journal essay about holiday

100+ Holiday Journal Prompts to Inspire Your Writing

The beauty of journaling is that the focus of your writing can shift from day to day, season to season, and, dare we say, holiday to holiday to create a dynamic state of change and growth. And with these holiday journal prompts, you’re sure to not only enhance your writing, but enhance your entire holiday season!

Understanding Holiday Journaling

Holiday journaling is a wonderful way for you to reflect on and capture your most special moments during the festive season. Through holiday journal prompts, you can dive into your thoughts, feelings, and experiences, which can help reduce stress and improve your overall well-being.

A key aspect of holiday journaling involves selecting the journal prompt ideas that resonate with you and inspire meaningful reflection. Some prompt ideas may encourage you to explore certain holiday memories, while others might ask for your thoughts on various festive activities and traditions.

To get started with holiday journaling, find a comfortable and quiet place where you can focus on your writing. Set aside some time every day, and make a habit of responding to the journal prompts.

You can use a physical notebook , an app , or even your computer to write your entries. The most important thing is to be honest with yourself and let your thoughts flow freely.

Here are some example holiday writing prompts you may want to consider for your holiday journal:

• What is your favorite holiday memory, and why is it so special?
• How does the holiday season make you feel, and why do you think that is?
• What are some of your family’s unique holiday traditions, and why are they important to you?
• How can you make this holiday season more meaningful for yourself and others?

By engaging in holiday journaling, you create a valuable record of your experiences and emotions, which you can revisit in the future. Moreover, the process of writing about these moments can help provide clarity and a sense of purpose during the festive season.

Benefits and Importance of Holiday Journaling

Emotional relevance.

Holiday journal prompts can be an effective tool for self-exploration and emotional processing. By engaging in this reflective practice, you may gain better insight into your feelings, emotions, and experiences related to the holiday season.

Some holiday writing prompts focus on favorite holiday traditions or favorite memories, which can help evoke positive feelings and memories. Remember, spending time on self-care during the holidays can contribute to your overall well-being and happiness…and journaling offers a fantastic form of self-care!

Academic Perspective

For students, holiday journaling provides an opportunity to practice and sharpen writing skills during winter break.

Engaging in regular journaling can help reinforce the writing skills and critical thinking that students learn during class. Mindfulness-based holiday writing prompts can be particularly helpful for students who may experience stress or anxiety during their winter break and holidays, allowing them to reflect on their thoughts and emotions in a structured way.

Mental Health Benefits

Journaling during the holidays can also offer significant mental health benefits.

As you explore your thoughts and emotions through writing, you’ll create a space for self-reflection and self-discovery. This practice can help reduce stress and anxiety, leading to a more peaceful and centered holiday experience.

Moreover, journaling can also help you set intentions for the upcoming year, promoting personal growth and a sense of inner peace.

In conclusion, holiday journaling offers numerous benefits, from boosting mental health to fostering self-reflection and growth. Incorporating this practice into your holiday routine can help you better navigate the festive season and enjoy a more emotionally balanced and mindful celebration.

Starting Your Holiday Journal

The holiday season is fast approaching, and it’s the perfect time to start a holiday journal filled with all your festive thoughts and reflections. Here are some ideas to get started with your holiday journal journey.

First, find a cozy, quiet spot where you can sit down to write. Grab a warm winter drink, your favorite pen, and an empty notebook to serve as your holiday journal.

Set aside some time each day or week to write down your thoughts and experiences related to the winter holidays.

There are plenty of holiday writing prompts available to help get the creative juices flowing.

Some popular holiday writing prompt ideas include reflecting on your favorite winter tradition, reminiscing about your favorite memories, and listing ways you can spread holiday cheer. You may also want to explore  December writing prompt  ideas for additional ideas and inspiration.

Remember to be creative and write in a way that feels comfortable and enjoyable to you.

Journaling should be a pleasant and refreshing experience. It’s okay to mix it up and add variety to your entries, such as including photos, drawings, ticket stubs, or even snippets of holiday music lyrics.

As you progress through the season, your holiday journal will become a unique and treasured keepsake. It will be a great way to look back on your favorite memories and cherish the festive moments you’ve captured.

Holiday Journal Prompts

Christmas journal prompts.

As you prepare for the holiday season, take some time to reflect on your favorite Christmas memories.

Write about your favorite Christmas morning – what did you do? What Christmas gifts did you receive?

Describe the joy of waking up early to see what Santa Claus brought you.

Find inspiration in your favorite holiday movie and songs.

Write about a favorite holiday movie that brings warmth to your heart and why it resonates with you.

Think about your favorite Christmas song and create a short story inspired by its lyrics.

This exercise can evoke the holiday spirit and strengthen your connection to holiday traditions.

Don’t forget the magic of Christmas lights!

Write about your personal experience of decorating the Christmas tree or your home with twinkling lights. What do these lights symbolize for you during the holiday season?

New Year Related

The New Year is a time for reflection, renewal, and goal-setting for the next year.

Write about goals you accomplished in the past year and your hopes for the next year?

Reflect on your favorite New Year’s Eve memory – was it spent with family or friends? Were fireworks involved? Share the feelings and emotions that come to mind as you think about this memory.

Consider creating a vision for your ideal New Year’s Eve celebration. Describe what it would look like, who would attend, and the traditions you’d like to incorporate. Write a short story about the experience.

This can encourage a wholehearted approach to embracing the New Year!

General Winter Holidays

The holiday season is filled with more than just Christmas and New Year’s celebrations.

Write about other winter holidays that you or your friends might celebrate. Explore the customs, traditions, and feelings associated with these holidays. Write a short story about the celebration.

Think about your favorite winter activities. Do you enjoy making paper snowflakes, building snowmen, or sipping hot chocolate by a cozy fire? Write a detailed account of your ideal day spent enjoying these winter pastimes.

Holiday treats are an essential part of any celebration.

List your favorite holiday treats and explain why you love them. How do they add to the holiday spirit?

Are there any recipes that hold a special place in your heart or remind you of a cherished tradition?

Lastly, reflect on the spirit of giving during the holiday season.

Write about a particularly memorable gift you received or gave to someone else. How did this gesture impact your relationship with the recipient or deepen your understanding of the importance of giving during the holidays?

Writing About Family Traditions

The holiday season is the perfect time to reflect on the traditions you and your family hold dear. As you dive into your journal, this section will help you explore your holiday traditions and create lasting memories.

Begin by thinking about your favorite holiday traditions.

Ask yourself what makes these rituals special to your family? What emotions do they bring up and how do they connect you and your loved ones?

Take some time to elaborate on what holiday traditions mean to you and the role they play in your family’s life.

Listen to the stories that surround these traditions. Reach out to family members and ask them to share their favorite memories.

Maybe there’s a fascinating ancestral story behind your Christmas celebrations, or perhaps you have a unique way of counting down to the new year. Delve into the origins of your family rituals, and you might discover connections spanning generations.

As you celebrate and take part in your family traditions, be sure to capture the moments.

Describe the sights, smells, and sounds of your holiday celebrations; the twinkling lights on the tree, the aroma of your special home-cooked meal, or the laughter of loved ones opening their Christmas gifts.

Engage your senses in your writing, and you’ll see how these details help evoke cherished memories in the years to come.

Incorporating Festive Activities

The holiday season is the perfect time to get creative with your journaling.

To make your holiday journal entries even more exciting, consider incorporating festive activities and elements from this magical time of the year. In this section, you’ll discover a few ideas to help you achieve this.

Decorating for the holidays can be a great source of inspiration.

As you put up your Christmas tree, string up the twinkling Christmas lights, and arrange your holiday decorations, make notes on the memories and feelings each item evokes.

Write about your favorite decorations and the stories behind them in your journal.

Celebrate the season with a flurry of festive activities and jot down your experiences.

Build a snowman, create paper snowflakes, or enjoy an evening of holiday baking with friends, family, and hot chocolate. Write about how these activities made you feel and what they mean to you.

Don’t forget to pay a visit to Santa Claus at your local toy store or shopping center, and record your impressions of the experience.

Reflect on the joy and excitement that Santa brings to children and the magic of Christmas he represents.

Consider writing a short story about your own childhood experience with Santa Claus.

Include some holiday treats in your journaling routine, too. Enjoy a mug of hot chocolate or a festive cookie as you write about your favorite memories surrounding the holidays, or describe the recipe of a beloved family dish in your journal.

If you’re hosting or attending holiday parties, capture your thoughts on the events. Write about the people you met, the conversations you had, and the games you played. Share any funny or heartwarming anecdotes from the gathering, and reflect on what made the holiday party special.

Are you traveling for the holidays? Remember that holiday writing prompts can pair well with travel journal prompts!

Using these festive elements and activities in your holiday journal will not only make your entries more engaging and enjoyable to read but will also help you embrace the holiday spirit and create lasting memories. So, grab your journal and dive into the magic of the holidays!

Describing Holiday Atmosphere

The holiday season is a magical time, filled with festive moments and heartwarming memories. As you dive into your holiday journaling, consider capturing the essence of this enchanting atmosphere in your writing.

Think about how Christmas morning feels, with the excitement of unwrapping gifts and the aroma of cozy breakfast treats wafting through your home. Try to capture the warmth and excitement that permeate the house as your family gathers to celebrate together.

You can also reminisce about your favorite scenes from the classic Christmas movies that seem to perfectly encapsulate the spirit of the season. Feel free to include quotes or anecdotes from your favorite film or short story to help illustrate your own personal experiences.

Weather plays a significant role in setting the atmosphere during the holidays. Whether you’re nestled under a blanket watching gently falling snow from your window, or enjoying the warm sun on your face during a family beach trip, describing the different weather conditions can add rich detail to your holiday journal entries.

Whether crisp and cool or sunny and bright, make note of how the weather influences your emotional state and its contribution to your overall holiday experience.

Holiday decorations and Christmas lights are staples in creating the perfect holiday atmosphere.

Take a moment to describe your favorite holiday adornments and the joy they bring you when you see them. Are there specific ornaments or decorations that hold particular significance for you?

Focusing on these items will not only let your imagination run wild but also help imbue your journal with a touch of nostalgia.

Finally, let the Christmas spirit guide you as you explore various holiday journal ideas.

The holidays are a time of joy, love, and spreading cheer to those around you. Don’t hesitate to write about your experiences helping others, engaging in festive activities with friends and family, or the traditions that make the season so special.

All these elements combine to create a truly enchanting and unforgettable holiday atmosphere.

As you continue your journaling journey, remember to embrace the friendly, nostalgic, and heartwarming aspects of the holiday season. Your writing will not only serve as a beautiful snapshot in time, but it will also help you further connect with the feelings and memories that make the holidays so extraordinary.

Writing about Holiday Commercialism and Meaning

During the holiday season, it’s easy to get caught up in the frenzy of shopping, decorations, and endless to-do lists. However, taking a moment to reflect on the true meaning of the holidays can help you stay grounded and appreciate the joy that this time of year brings. To examine holiday commercialism and its impact on your own celebrations, consider the following holiday journal prompts.

To begin, think about your favorite elements of the holiday season. What fills your heart with warmth and happiness? Jot down a list that includes everything from cherished traditions and memories to simple moments of peace on earth.

Reflect on how these meaningful experiences make you feel, and use this list as a reminder of the spirit of giving and gratitude throughout the season.

Next, consider how commercialism affects your holiday celebrations. Are there aspects in which you feel overwhelmed or distracted from the true meaning of the season? Perhaps the pressure to find the best gift, the energy spent on material items, or the constant bombardment of advertisements encouraging you to buy more.

Write about your experiences with holiday commercialism and how it might detract from the moments you are most grateful for.

Now, ponder the ways in which you can maintain a balance between embracing the joy of giving and resisting the pull of consumerism. Explore the idea of mindful consumption by seeking out meaningful Christmas gifts with intention, rather than falling prey to impulsive purchases. Share how you plan to keep the focus on the blessings in your life, such as spending quality time with loved ones and expressing gratitude for all that you have.

Lastly, create a list of actionable steps to help you prioritize what truly matters during the holiday season. Perhaps this includes volunteering your time for a cause that aligns with your values, using your words with care when speaking to others, or incorporating more moments of reflection and gratitude into your daily routine.

Keep this list close and refer back to it as you navigate the holiday season, to remind yourself of the meaningful connections and experiences that make this time of year so special.

Documenting Holiday Foods

During the holiday season, it’s always a delight to indulge in festive treats and dishes.

As you’re enjoying these delectable goodies, why not document your holiday food journey in your journal? This way, you can keep track of your favorite recipes and the memories associated with them.

To start, make a list of the holiday treats you enjoy the most. Whether it’s classic sugar cookies, gingerbread houses, or warm cups of eggnog, noting down these favorites can help you remember the flavors that make the season joyful.

Plus, it’s a fun way to brainstorm ideas for the best gift for each friend and family member. After all, who wouldn’t love a homemade holiday treat?

While you’re in the spirit of celebrating and attending parties, it’s also a great opportunity to take note of new dishes or festive foods that you encounter. Observe the aromatic spices, the vivid colors, and the intricate textures of these dishes, and jot down your impressions. Remember to ask your hosts if they have a secret ingredient that makes their dish stand out, and write it down, so you can recreate it in your kitchen later on.

As you’re baking your special Christmas cookies and other festive favorites, don’t forget to document the process as well. Record the steps and ingredients in your journal, along with any modifications or tweaks that you made along the way. This way, you can recreate your masterpieces in the future and share your recipes with loved ones.

So, this holiday season, take the time to immerse yourself in the flavors and scents of your favorite culinary delights. By documenting your holiday food experiences in your journal, you’ll be creating a collection of cherished memories and recipes you can revisit and share for years to come.

Christmas Journal Prompts For Christmas List and Gift Giving

It’s that magical time of the year when you start creating your Christmas list and thinking about giving gifts to your loved ones. The holiday season is a perfect opportunity to express your gratitude and affection through thoughtful presents.

Begin by brainstorming the people you want to surprise with a gift.

Make a list of family members, friends, coworkers, or even neighbors. You can organize it in a simple table or use bullet points to keep track of your ideas.

For example:

• Mom: Cookbook
• Dad: Gadget
• Sister: Art supplies
• Jane: Novel
• Jack: Board game

Once you’ve got your Christmas list ready, take some time to personalize the presents for each person.

Think about their hobbies, interests, or something they mentioned they need or want. Remember, a well-thought-out gift shows that you know and care for the person.

When you’re shopping for gifts, consider browsing local stores or artisan markets to find unique and meaningful items, as well as supporting small businesses.

Additionally, it’s important to keep the environment in mind. Choose eco-friendly options for gift wrapping or look for gifts made from sustainable materials.

Lastly, remember that the act of giving is about spreading joy and showing love, so don’t stress too much about finding the perfect present. Embrace the holiday spirit, and cherish the memories you create as you celebrate this season of togetherness and gratitude.

So get cozy, choose your favorite holiday journal prompts, and start journaling! We can’t wait to hear all about it!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are your top 3 favorite holiday memories.

Think back to your favorite holiday moments and jot them down.

Consider what makes these memories special to you – was it the people you were with, a particular activity, or perhaps a unique location? Writing about your favorite holiday memories helps you cherish those moments and reflect on what brings joy to your life.

Describe an ideal holiday celebration with your loved ones.

Imagine your perfect holiday celebration and put it into words. What would you do?

Who would be there with you? What kind of decorations and foods would create the ideal atmosphere?

This is your chance to be creative and envision your ultimate holiday experience. Pondering this scenario can bring warm feelings and inspiration for crafting the perfect holiday experience with the people you care about most.

How do different cultures and traditions inspire your holiday celebrations?

Explore how various customs and traditions from around the world can enrich your own holiday experience.

You might discover some new practices or dishes you’d like to incorporate into your celebration, or perhaps you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the diversity of holiday traditions celebrated by others. Keep an open mind and embrace the beauty of cultural diversity in holiday festivities.

What do you appreciate most about the holidays and why?

Take a moment to ponder the aspects of the holiday season that you value most.

Is it the act of giving and receiving gifts, the excitement of family gatherings, or the joy of sharing delicious meals? Reflect on your feelings and consider how important these factors are to you during the holiday season.

How has your perspective on holidays changed over the years?

As you grow older, your outlook on holidays may evolve. Think about how your view on holidays has shifted over time.

Maybe you now focus more on creating memories and cherishing time spent with loved ones, rather than material aspects such as receiving the best gift. Contemplating these changes could offer valuable insights into your personal growth and development.

What lessons have you learned from holiday experiences in the past?

Reflect on any experiences during previous holidays that have taught you something. It could be a lesson about the importance of family, the value of gratitude, or realizing that the true spirit of the holidays lies in spending meaningful moments with loved ones.

Jot down these lessons, and use them as guidance for making your future holidays even more special and fulfilling.

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62 Cozy Christmas Journal Prompts for Adults

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Last Updated on November 14, 2023

Let’s get real about Christmas for a sec. It’s not just festivities and jingle bells; it’s also a good time for a sanity check. Especially if you’re kinda drowning in the holiday chaos! That’s where these Christmas journal prompts for adults come in.

If you’ve been extra busy this season, this is your chance to take a breather, truly check-in with your emotions, cherish past Christmas memories, and create some new ones.

I’ll be the first to vouch for how good I feel when I cozy up with hot chocolate and my favorite journal to jot down Christmas memories, feeling that “almost there” sensation as the year closed. Trust me, it is THE vibe!

Let’s dive in and let these Christmas journal ideas be your holiday therapy.

Table of Contents

62 Journal Prompts for Christmas

Are you ready to get into the holiday spirit? These Christmas journal prompts for adults will get you thinking about your feelings surrounding the holidays!

Don’t lose these Christmas writing activities! Pin ’em to come back later!

• What does Christmas mean to you?
• Have your experiences at Christmas time been mostly positive or negative?
• How did your family typically do Christmas? Were you happy with it?
• What was your favorite memory or tradition from Christmas as a child?
• How does Christmas look different now that you are an adult?
• Is Christmas as exciting now as it was when you were a kid? Why or why not, and what has changed in your feelings?
• How do you feel about the amount of holiday spending that’s usually done?
• What do you do to prepare for the spending, event planning, and everything else that goes into Christmas?
• What do you look forward to most about Christmas?
• What food do you enjoy most at Christmas dinner?
• Which Christmas dessert or treat do you enjoy the most?
• What was the best Christmas you ever had?
• What was the worst Christmas you ever had?
• If you want to have children someday, how would you want to celebrate Christmas with them?
• What are 5 things you’re grateful for this Christmas?

RELATED: 103 Christmas Affirmations to Help You Through the Holidays

• Did you believe in Santa as a child? Was it a good or bad experience?
• What would the ideal Christmas look like to you?
• What do you want most for Christmas?
• What is the best Christmas gift you’ve ever been given?
• What is the best Christmas gift you’ve given to someone else?
• How do you feel about white elephant, secret santa, or other gift exchanges? Do they feel obligatory or fun?
• What are your thoughts on consumerism and commercialism around the holidays?
• What are your thoughts about the religious significance of Christmas?
• Who do you miss most around Christmas time?
• What is your favorite Christmas movie?
• Is there anything that makes you feel nostalgic around Christmas?
• Is there anything that makes you feel sad around Christmas?
• Do you ever get seasonal depression symptoms this time of year? If so, what do you do to help cope?
• What makes Christmas stressful for you? What self care activities can you do to manage the stress?

RELATED: 30 Day Winter Self Care Challenge to Beat the Winter Blues

Get more guidance: do a mental health audit with my journal this Christmas!

Struggling with anxious thoughts? Feel stuck in fight-or-flight? Just want to get better at managing life’s daily stressors? (Hey, you’re not alone!) This journal is for you.

By the end of this journal, you’ll…

• And squashing the behaviors that come with them!
• What do you enjoy most about Winter?
• What do you like the least about Winter?
• Do you get more excited about Thanksgiving or Christmas?
• How have you changed over the course of the year?
• Are you in a better or worse place now compared to the beginning of the year? What has changed?
• What is your favorite Christmas song and why?
• What are your favorite Christmas smells? Are there any good memories or feelings associated with these scents?
• Who do you look forward to spending Christmas with most?
• Is there anyone you’re spending time with this Christmas that you aren’t super happy about? Why?
• How do you feel once the holidays are over?
• How early do you start preparing for Christmas?
• Do you ever get sad looking ahead to the rest of the winter after the festivities of Christmas are over?

Even MORE Prompts for Writing This Christmas

• Do you celebrate Christmas on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve? Which do you think is better?
• Do you have any fun traditions you do on Christmas Eve vs. Christmas Day?
• What is your favorite thing around the house to decorate for Christmas?
• How early is “too early” for Christmas music to start playing?
• Do you enjoy a snowy white Christmas, or would you prefer to be somewhere warm?
• Have you ever taken a vacation during Christmas time? Where to, and how was it?
• How did last year’s Christmas go? Do you have any feelings about it?
• Do you start thinking ahead to the New Year around Christmas time?
• Describe the quirkiest Christmas tradition in your family.
• Does Christmas bring up any uncomfortable feelings about your family? Let your emotions flow.
• Reflect on a time when you received a very meaningful, heartfelt gift. How did it make you feel?
• How has technology changed the way you celebrate Christmas?
• Reflect on a funny or embarrassing Christmas memory.
• What’s your go-to self care activity when the holidays get stressful? ( Christmas self care ideas here !)
• If you could spend Christmas anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
• Describe how you can incorporate mindfulness into your holiday activities.
• If you created a vision board to depict your ideal festive season, what types of image would you include?
• Has there been a Christmas where your expectations didn’t match reality? Was it for better or worse?
• What are your thoughts on giving and/or receiving experiences rather than physical gifts for Christmas?
• How do you balance the pressure to socialize with having adequate alone time during the holidays?
• What are a few ideas for New Year’s goals you’ll put on your resolutions list?

RELATED: New Month Journal Prompts for Goal Setting

Click to make sense of your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors for better stress management!

Christmas Journal Prompts for Adults and Writing Ideas

These Christmas journal prompts are meant to get you thinking about the deeper things surrounding Christmas. 

Let’s be real: Christmas is meant to be “the most wonderful time of the year,” but that experience isn’t always true for everyone.

Not everyone has supportive family members, and some of us even dread Christmas, knowing it means we have to interact with a toxic family. There’s nothing worse than the hope of connecting with family, only to be let down by their behavior.

Whether you are trying to heal from trauma that made your childhood Christmases a struggle, or all the food is a trigger for your body image and self-acceptance , there can be a lot to unpack.

So these Christmas writing prompts for adults will cover it all: the good, the not-so-good, and everything in between.

Christmas Journaling Themes

Want some guidance for what to think about as you go through these Christmas journal prompts for adults? Here are some important themes that give Christmas its meaning:

• Friends and family
• The act of giving
• Quality time
• Thoughtfulness
• Holiday joy
• Christmas cheer
• Togetherness

Keep these ideas in mind and explore them as you go through these Christmas journal prompts.

Wishing you a safe, happy, and mentally healthy Christmas!

Psst…make self care quick and easy by downloading my (free!) printable daily self care check in! Grab it to start adding a little self reflection into your morning + night routines.

You will receive your daily self care check in shortly.

More Holiday Ideas & Resources You’ll Love

103 Christmas Affirmations to Help You Through the Holidays

8 Unique Ways to Defeat Christmas Overwhelm

December Self Care: 28 Ideas to Calm the Hustle and Bustle

Holiday Self Care Checklist: 12 Days of Caring For Yourself

8 December Goals to Crush the End of the Year

30 Day Winter Self Care Challenge to Beat the Winter Blues

Winter Solstice Journal Prompts to Pause and Welcome a New Season

35 Winter Solstice Affirmations to Slow Down and Recharge

LIKE THESE CHRISTMAS JOURNAL PROMPTS FOR ADULTS? PIN THEM FOR LATER!

Founder & Content Strategist

Hey there! I'm Alexa, and I'm a self-care enthusiast and mental health advocate. At Ambitiously Alexa, I'm here to support women like you who are on a mission to achieve allll the things they're passionate about and make time for self care. I make this balance possible through journal prompts, positive affirmations, and self care ideas you'll love! Here's more about me, including my B.A in Psychology...

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BEST HOLIDAY WRITING PROMPTS

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From the top, set your story on new year's day., write about a character who visits their hometown for the holidays and reconnects with a former love interest., write about a festive party gone wrong that’s saved by some holiday magic., write a story where someone shares a cup of hot chocolate with a friend., write a story in the form of a list of new year's resolutions..

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Write a story about two people who don’t know each other but bump into one other on new year’s eve (either once or every year)., start or end your story with one or more characters shouting “happy new year”, write about someone who goes to great lengths to avoid being pranked on april 1st, only to realize they had the date wrong and it’s already april 2nd., start your story with a big company pulling an april fools’ prank that ends up going horribly wrong., write about someone who hates pranks and spends april fools’ day doing good deeds instead., start your story with one character making a vow that they never would have made the year before., write about someone who is given a bird for the holidays but doesn’t know how to take care of it., write about a family’s first holiday after a parent has gotten remarried, and now there are new faces at the table and new traditions to be honored., write about a family adapting a holiday tradition to take place over video chat., win $250 in our short story competition 🏆.

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The best holiday writing prompts

Friends and family gathering. Running around and completing errands. Hours in the kitchen. Dinners, celebrations, parties. Holidays of all kinds come with their fair share of drama, emotion, and story-fodder. Narratives of all kinds can unfold during these busy times. That’s why this list of creative writing prompts includes the theme: holidays.

We’re not just talking about reindeers, turkey, and stringing lights on the tree. Our prompts cover all manner of holidays, from Easter to April Fools to Groundhog Day. And whether the holidays are a time of joy and happiness for your characters, or more difficult, you get to decide the mood.

There’s a lot to choose from, so if you need help deciding, here’s our top 10 holiday writing prompts:

• You own a Christmas Tree stall. One evening, a young boy comes in and picks the smallest, scrawniest tree you have.
• Write a story that only consists of New Year's Resolutions.
• Write a story that only consists of letters to Santa.
• It's the night before Christmas. You are a stirring mouse in an otherwise totally quiet house.
• Write a story about a "chosen family" dinner, where no one is related by blood, but they still feel like family.
• Create a holiday of your own and write a story about it.
• Write a short story about someone with unconventional New Year's traditions.
• Write about the best April Fool's Day prank that you could ever pull.
• You’re stuck in a time loop with the same holiday happening over and over — the only rule is that it can’t be Groundhog Day.
• An advertising firm lands a huge contract to make Easter the year’s most popular holiday.

Looking for some more tips for writing for your holiday story? You’ve come to the right place. Here are some resources that you may find helpful — consider them a holiday gift, from us to you:

• How to Master the 'Show, Don't Tell' Rule (free course) — Twinkling decorations, frosty weather, the smell of delicious food cooking — the holidays are a treat for the senses, and those kinds of details help evoke the right mood for your story. The best way to make your story as immersive as possible is to master the golden rule of Show, Don’t Tell.
• Character profile template (free resource ) — A lot of holiday stories are driven by emotion, just like the holidays themselves. Perhaps your character has fallen on hard times, and is having a crisis of faith. Maybe they’re returning home after a long stretch away, just in time for the holidays. Or perhaps your story is less emotional, but nonetheless character driven — our hero is a serial procrastinator, on the hunt for the perfect gift. Either way, you’ll need to know your character inside and out, and that’s where the character profile template comes in.

Want more help learning how to write a holiday short story? Check out How to Write a Short Story That Gets Published — a free, ten day course by Laura Mae Isaacman, a full-time editor who runs a book editing company in Brooklyn.

Ready to start writing? Check out Reedsy’s weekly short story contest , for the chance of winning $250! You can also check out our list of writing contests or our directory of literary magazines for more opportunities to submit your story.

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Authentically Del

Self-Care, Mental Wellness, & Self-Improvement

in Journaling , Seasonal , Winter · October 1, 2023

50 Christmas Journal Prompts for Adults

This post may contain affiliate links meaning that, I may make commission if you purchase through my links. Learn More . 

Does Christmastime bring up a lot of different emotions? Here are 50 thoughtful Christmas journal prompts to help you navigate the holiday season.

There is a lot going on during the holiday season. Family get-togethers, Christmas shopping, festive events, office parties… the season is filled with festive experiences.

With that, there can come a wide range of emotions: happy, sad, nostalgic, excited, joyful, stressed…

No matter how you’re feeling, we can all agree that there is an abundance of emotion tied to the holiday season. These 50 Christmas journal prompts for adults are here to help you work through them.

These Christmas journal prompts prompt thoughts surrounding holiday memories , deep holiday emotions , and festive holiday fun . No matter what you’re looking for in a holiday journaling prompt, you’ll find it here.

Let’s jump into these festive Christmas journal ideas.

50 Festive Christmas Journal Prompts for Adults

Holiday memories journal prompts.

• What is your first memory of Christmas? Describe it in detail.
• What is your favorite holiday tradition from childhood?
• What’s the best Christmas gift you’ve ever received?
• What memories do you have of Christmastime in elementary school?
• How would you describe childhood holidays in one word? Why?
• Who is involved in your favorite Christmas memories? Are you still connected with them?
• Write about the best gift you’ve ever given. Who was it to? How did they react?
• Did you believe in Santa? How long? Was this a positive experience for you?
• What was your favorite Christmas decor as a child?
• What was your favorite Christmas movie when you were younger? Do you still watch it?

READ: 100+ Positive Christmas Affirmations for the Holidays

• What holiday traditions from childhood do you still do?
• Describe your best Christmas morning ever.
• Make a Venn diagram of Christmas as a kid and Christmas now. How is it the same? How is it different?
• Write about a time that you felt the Christmas spirit take over.
• Describe an ideal day at Christmastime as a kid.

Deep Emotional Christmas Journal Prompts

• What emotions do the holidays bring up for you?
• Who do you miss most around the holidays?
• What parts of the holidays do you enjoy? What do you not enjoy? Why?
• Do you prefer giving or receiving gifts? Why?
• What makes you feel most connected to others around Christmas?
• How can you care for yourself at Christmas?

READ: 25 Days of Christmas Self-Care

• Make a grown-up Christmas list of non-tangible wishes. What do you wish for the world? For yourself?
• What brings you stress around the holidays?
• How are the holidays special?
• If you could invite anyone to Christmas dinner, dead or alive, who would you invite?
• Is there anything that makes you sad around Christmas? What is it? Why?
• Do you feel nostalgic during the holidays? For what? Why?
• How do you feel about commercialism during the holidays?
• Do you raise/want to raise your family with any of the same holiday traditions you had? Which ones? Why or why not?
• How can you be more giving during the holidays?
• In what ways can you spread holiday cheer to others?
• Who adds joy to your holiday season?
• How do you connect to others during the holidays?
• What do you feel most grateful for at Christmastime?
• Describe what Christmas means to you.

Fun Festive Christmas Journal Prompts

• What’s your favorite cozy Christmas activity?
• What’s on your Christmas list this year?
• Make a Christmas movie checklist to watch this year.
• Describe your ideal Christmas morning in detail.
• If you could have anything for Christmas, what would it be? (Pretend money isn’t a factor!)
• What is your favorite holiday-specific activity?
• Make a December bucket list .
• If you were Santa, what would your uniform be? (Ditch the red suit! What are you wearing instead?)
• Think of a new holiday tradition to start with your family.
• Write your own version of the 12 Days of Christmas song . What would you want for each day?
• Make a list of your top 10 Christmas songs.
• Write a cheesy Christmas love story. Get creative!
• What does “holiday spirit” mean to you? What does it look like?
• If you were Santa, what snack would you want to be left for you? (Doesn’t have to be milk and cookies!)
• If you could make every day Christmas, would you? Why or why not?

How will you journal this Christmas?

Are you journaling this Christmas to boost your spirits? Relive old nostalgic holiday memories? Feel the full effects of Christmas spirit?

What’s your goal for your holiday journaling? Which of these Christmas journaling prompts will best help you get there?

Hi! I’m Delaney (but you can call me Del)! Welcome to Authentically Del where we discuss all things self-care, productivity, self-improvement, mindset, and more. I'm here to offer authentic tips and advice in hopes that I can help make your life a bit brighter! More About Me...

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Essays About Holidays With Family: Top 5 Examples and Prompts

Looking for an interesting topic for your next essay? Check out our top essays about holidays with family and a list of prompts for inspiration. 

Holidays with family can create memories of a lifetime – some for good reasons and some for unpleasant incidents. Aside from giving the weary a break from work, holidays also provide an opportunity for families to gather, enjoy and make new, lasting memories together. Many cultures celebrate holidays differently and have holidays unique to their cultures and countries.

If you’re writing an essay about holidays with family, here is our list of essays that will keep you glued and reflect on your holidays. 

1. A Guide To Navigating Food And Family During Holidays by Katherine Speller

2. forgiveness perfect gift for the holidays by käri knutson , 3. everything that went wrong on our family vacation (and why it was still totally worth it) by michelle weisenberg, 4. consumerism culture is dangerous to the true meaning of christmas by frank portillo, 5. holidays away from home: an ofw christmas by beatrice del rosario, anakin loewes garcia, ronald manuel laylo, 1. your most memorable holiday with family, 2. why are holidays with family important, 3. an eco-friendly family holiday, 4. planning the best holiday destination, 5. camping for the holidays, 6. holidays on the beach, 7. history of spending holidays with family, 8. avoiding covid-19 while on holidays, 9. how to ensure a stree-free family holiday, 10. budget-friendly tips for holiday travels.

“The confidence you bring — from listening to your body and being sure that you are allowed to feel however you want about your food choices — will do wonders for dealing with any criticism, comments or plate-policing from (mostly) well-meaning family members or people with their own food hang-ups.” 

Planning what to bring or cook for a family holiday dinner may come with many anxieties and pressures, especially if you have critical family members. The article presents the thoughts of a psychotherapist and eating disorder expert who advises readers on how to best respect their own dietary needs and boundaries while embracing those of their families. 

“During the holidays, people who otherwise avoid each other can be thrown together in family or social situations that force the issue. It can be painful to ask for forgiveness and risk rejection… but it’s something we sometimes have to accept.” 

There’s no better gift to present to your family on holidays than forgiveness. In this article, psychology professor Robert Enright is interviewed to talk about the process of forgiveness, why people hold back from forgiving, and what helps people let go of their anger.

“Our vacations are NEVER dull. They usually entail at least one sick child/trip to the ER and one major catastrophe. It’s gotten to the point where we simply expect these things. As our pediatrician says, ‘I wish you people would just stay home.’”

Family holidays for this author cannot be complete without a disaster, from water-submerged diabetes testers to stolen backpacks and a kid getting wounded by a knife. Yet, despite these incidents, Weisenberg still sees the beauty in their travels, with its indelible memories outweighing any unfortunate event happening in all their family holiday travels.

“Instead of buying gifts for one another, we should be focused on creating memories with each other — an immaterial gift that will last far longer than this year’s Apple Watch.”

Instead of strengthening family bonds, many look forward to holidays to get a hand at things they’ve been meaning to buy. The article laments how the culture of consumerism and materialism has engulfed us, spoiling the true meaning of family holidays, wherein making memories together should suffice. 

“OFWs sacrifice quality time with their loved ones by providing for them from afar. Each family has their own way of coping with that absence. Every shared moment, be it physically or through the aid of technology, encapsulates the spirit of Christmas for loved ones near and far.”

The article interviews overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) or those who sacrifice their time with loved ones to bring more income to their families. As Christmas has a special place in the hearts of all Filipinos, OFWs’ nostalgia is at its peak during this holiday when they cannot be home with family. OFWs in the article talk about their homesickness and how they cope at Christmas time.

Writing Prompts  on Essays About Holidays With Family

Here is our round-up of creative prompts for your essay:

Describe your most memorable holiday with your family. Put in as many elements that made this holiday profoundly impact you. Then, for a more powerful effect, make the narration as vivid as you can, from the dining table filled with delectable food to how your siblings stifled a laugh upon seeing the neon sweater your aunt gave you as a present.   

Aside from creating new memories that strengthen relationships, holidays with family can help you immerse in new cultures and experiences. Collate studies that investigate the impact of family holidays on one’s well-being. Summarize their findings and provide your analysis.

Environmentalists lambast the overindulgence that comes with holiday merry-making. Enumerate the holiday practices that are dangerous to the environment. Next, encourage families to strive for a green holiday instead of resisting the strong temptation of excess. Then, provide tips on how one can step up to reduce carbon footprint and care for Mother Nature.

Deciding which destination is best for your family will largely depend on the preference of each family member and your budget. Provide tips on how one can choose their destination and how one should prepare for this. Remind readers that they don’t have to spend too much for the “best” holiday destination. As long as families are together on this special day, that should mean more to them than anything else. 

Camping is the best way to get close to nature while creating a stronger bond with parents, siblings, and relatives. Enumerate why camping is the best way to spend your holiday with family. You may also provide a list of essential things to bring when going on a camping trip. 

Frolicking on the beach is not just the best way to beat the heat. It’s also an excellent way to spend the holidays with your family, especially if you have kids who love water activities — but who doesn’t? For this prompt, you can narrate your holiday spent on the beach with your family. You can also provide your reader with a list of the best beach spots in your country.

There are several national holidays around the world. The origin of each has its unique story that makes them all interesting and worth experiencing. Pick one or a few holiday celebrations, particularly those best spent with family. First, write about their history and how they earned the designation as holidays. Then, detail the family traditions that come with their celebration. 

While many countries are now mask-free, COVID-19 remains to infect like wildfire in some places. List a few tips on how families can enjoy the holidays and be safe from COVID-19 or any raging virus. Examples could be encouraging readers to avoid COVID-19 hotspots, bringing antigen tests, and placing alcohol bottles within easy reach. 

What makes one full of fidgets when a holiday with relatives is fast approaching? Is it the critical aunt who might notice your added weight or the thought of celebrating the holidays in a remote place without internet access? First, cite the most common sources of holiday stress. Then, offer recommendations on how to put aside the nervous energy before and during the holidays.

You may also interview some friends to know their major sources of family holiday anxieties. Then, find out how they overcome them. 

Holidays can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Write a list of tips on how one can spare extra cash for accommodation, public transport, and more. Remind your readers that holidays can be fun without pumping out a lot of cash. If you’re not into travel, you can focus on budget tips for holiday shopping.

For help with your essays, check out our round-up of the best essay checkers . If you are interested in learning more, check out our essay writing tips !

Yna Lim is a communications specialist currently focused on policy advocacy. In her eight years of writing, she has been exposed to a variety of topics, including cryptocurrency, web hosting, agriculture, marketing, intellectual property, data privacy and international trade. A former journalist in one of the top business papers in the Philippines, Yna is currently pursuing her master's degree in economics and business.

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My last holiday

Learn how to write about your last holiday.

Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and tips and do the exercises.

Preparation

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My last holiday was a five-day trip to Prague in the Czech Republic. I know Prague well because I lived there when I was at university, more than ten years ago.

Instead of staying in a hotel, I stayed with one of my old friends. It was so much fun, and a little bit like my old life. I wanted to do all the same things I did in my university days, so I visited the university. It has changed a lot and looks more modern. I also went to the supermarket near my old house. I loved seeing all the different foods. I was really happy to find my favourite cheese and chocolate biscuits but they were a bit more expensive than I remember!

We did some touristy things too. We walked up beautiful Petrin Hill and around the castle. The views of the city are amazing up there. We walked across the historic Charles Bridge. My friend's flat is very near the TV Tower so we saw the famous baby statues climbing up it. Those things haven't changed, of course.

1. Try to make your writing interesting for the reader. To do this, you can make it personal with your own memories and experiences.

2. Use adjectives to add detail to your descriptions.

3. Write clear and simple sentences and organise your ideas in short paragraphs. Give each paragraph a different topic.

4. Use so, but, and, because and other linking words.

Where was your last holiday?

Language level

I want you to know that I am very happy and enjoying my vacation quite a bit. The destination on this vacation has been the Colombian Caribbean coast, We arrived two days ago, this is a very nice experience. Yesterday I discovered the window to the world that is located in Barranquilla, as well as the boardwalk, they are very warm places but above all very visited, as the afternoon fell I went to visit some of my husband's brothers. Tomorrow we will get up very early to travel a few kilometers and be able to visit Cabo de la Vela, in La Guajira, we will leave at 6 am, because we must be in Uribia Guajira at 3 pm, there the tour guide will be waiting for us, who will be the one in charge of directing this adventure. I also had the opportunity to visit Cartagena de Indias and its beautiful beaches, I really liked getting to know the beach, the sea and the people who live there, But what I liked most was being able to visit Cabo de la Vela and learn a little about the reality of the Wayuu culture, being able to enjoy the beautiful landscapes and sunsets that this beautiful place offers.

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My last was holiday three-week trip to Fez in Morocco. Fez it’s my hometown so I know it well because I lived there for 26 years. I went to visit my family there and I stayed at home, every day I was invited by my sisters and brothers, they made me delicious dishes and we had a good time together. I’ve been seeing my friends every day in the café, we’ve been seeing football matches and we’ve been talking about different topics. In this holiday I made many things important for me, I had driving courses to be confident when I’m going to buy a car, in the same time I had English courses.  

My last holiday was a three-day trip to Thua Thien Hue in Vietnam. I always want to go there, so in the summer of last year, I decided to take a trip to Hue with my family.

We booked a small hostel near Hue Walking Road. We stayed in a twin room, which was clean and had full amenities. The owner was very friendly; he showed us good restaurants, attractions, and how to deal with sellers in the market. We tried local foods such as Bun Bo Hue, Banh Xeo, Banh Bot Loc, etc. The food in Hue is cheap and amazing; I thought that I could eat it all day!

We did some touristy things too. We visited Hue Capital and had a chance to learn more about Vietnam's history. The architecture is very majestic and beautiful. We also went to Thien Mu Pagoda. It is one of the most sacred temples in Vietnam, so we prayed for health and happiness and wished everyone good luck. In the evening, we walked across the historic Trang Tien Bridge. It was so beautiful at night; there were a lot of people walking there. 

It was three amazing days. I felt so relaxed and hope to visit more places in Vietnam.

My last holiday was a two-day trip to Baguio in the Philippines. I had lived there before for five months. So I decided to go back for just a visit on my holiday. Unfortunately, there was heavily raining as we got off the bus. Otherwise, getting a taxi was super hard, and we were waiting for around an hour. Fortunately, I got home safely and I made so much fun with my friends. I visited the old places that I often did because it made me happy and refresh. In conclusion, I had so much fun spending my last holiday in Baguio.

I remember last year when I went with friend to the beach in summer. My Lastsummer holidays was 2days and 3 nights trip to Ngwe Saung Beach in Myanamr . Ngwe Saung, is a beach resort located 48 km west of Pathein, Ayeyarwady Region, Myanmar. In 2014, the town of Ngwesaung had 10,732 people.The beach is 5hours drive with no traffic away from the principal city of Yangon. Ngwe Saung is well know for An unspoilt 15 kilometres stretch of silvery sand and modern amenities have made Ngwe Saung a popular destination for less budget conscious tourists from Lower Myanmar. I booked for our stay at a hotel near the beach, name was "Grand Paradise Hotel ". My friend and i prepared everything we needed on our trip as light food and soft drinks to have on the way to the hotel. And also we prepared necessary clothing for the sea, sun cream and some essential medicines. After 5hours of driving we arrived the hotel at 12PM afternoon and went to our rooms to rest change clothes and take all what we need to go to the beach. This Hotel is near the beach,all services was good and room are cleaned, wide and nice. We put our bags on the table and went to swim in the sea and then went out for lunch that my friend ordered from a fish restaurant . The Crab ,Lobster and fish was fresh and tasty and we enjoyed our meal very much. After lunch we sat under the canopy enjoying the sea view, refreshing breaths ,listening to music and playing fun games. OH really nice Ngwe Saung beach Myanamr.

My last holiday was far away in time in different reasons. We were at black sea coast on September so there where not so much other people. We was drinking a wine that was cheap there and going some excursions

My last holiday. Last summer, in particular on the last weekend of June, I decided to visit Granada, an amazing city in Spain. I visited Granada for the second time with my family, my wife, and two daughters. I was so happy because I visited Granada sights, especially Alhambra Palace, and Civilization Museum. We arrived at the hotel by bus at 11 a.m. The hotel was wonderful and clean, and the food they offer was delicious. My family really liked the traditional typical dishes of Granada, in particular the dish named Baella. During the holiday, I met some of my Spanish colleagues and they invited us to visit their house which is located in a nice village in the city suburb. Really, I liked this place for the large landscape, calmness, and the kind people who live in. On the fifth day of our holiday, we walked around the city and saw the old city which has been built above the mountain. So, you can see the whole city from above it. Despite the enjoyment that we have got, the negative thing about that holiday was that we spent so much money and also many friends need to buy some things from there, so I bought some souvenirs and I hope that I can keep one for myself to remind of that divine place. By and large, this holiday was great and unforgettable thanks to my Spanish friend, Gaspar, who provided me with a Guidebook which makes my trip easy and coy.

My last holiday was four days on São Miguel dos Milagres with my family. We stay on the beach house of my grandpa. There is a pool, and four rooms in that. There we go to the beach, to some interesting restaurants, to a beach clube and to an ice cream shop. I love that travel and i'd love go back to São Miguel dos Milagres.

On the first weekend in March, we took an amazing trip to Barcelona. We went by train from Atocha station and the journey lasted two and a half hours.

When we arrived at the historic Barcelona Sants station, we took the metro to Plaza de Tetuan, which is where we had the apartment. We left our baggage and went to visit the city centre, Las Ramblas, Plaza Catalunya, La Boqueria Market, Paseo de Gracia, etc. On Sunday, we saw the beautiful Sagrada Familia which is my favourite landmark. Later, we went to the incredible Nou Camp stadium to see the Barça game against Valencia. After the game we visited the official store and did some shopping but everything was very expensive. On Monday, before returning to Madrid we went back to the Nou Camp to take a guided tour of the trophy room, changing rooms, benches, and the VIP box.

At the end, we went to the apartment to take the suitcases and so, we took the metro to the Sants station where we boarded the high speed train back to Madrid.

I go to Thailand for a camping holiday, It was fun I go caving on the first day, I see many bets are sleeping on top of the cave.(no time to finish)

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Student Opinion

10 Prompts for Talking and Writing About Thanksgiving

What are your Turkey Day traditions? What are you grateful for this year? What is your favorite Thanksgiving memory? And more.

By Natalie Proulx

Every school day, we post a writing prompt based on a New York Times article for teenagers to respond to. And every November, we ask about Thanksgiving.

This year, we’ve decided to round up some of these Thanksgiving-related prompts in one post. Below, you’ll find 10 questions that can be jumping-off points for writing or discussion in the classroom, or conversation starters for the dinner table, such as: What are your Turkey Day traditions? What are your favorite side dishes? Do you participate in Black Friday shopping? And do we need to rethink this holiday?

Each prompt we include has links to a related Times article, essay, photo or graphic, and many of these prompts are still open for comment for students who are 13 or older.

Have a happy Thanksgiving!

1. What are your Turkey Day traditions?

Every family celebrates Thanksgiving differently. What are your holiday traditions?

Look at these photos and videos to see what 15 families from all different backgrounds across the country cook on this day that speaks to their heritage. Then discuss the questions from our related Picture Prompt : How do you and your family or community celebrate Thanksgiving? What does the food you serve or the things you do that day say about where you are from?

Or, read about how the Turkey Trot became a Thanksgiving tradition and then use these questions as a guide to talk about the activities you do on Thanksgiving and in the days that follow.

2. What has been your most memorable Thanksgiving?

In 2017, we asked teenagers to tell us about some of their favorite Thanksgiving memories . Here is what Kate from Wilmington, N.C., wrote:

The Silver household celebrates Thanksgiving a little differently than the typical family. We spend our holiday roasting ducks instead of turkey, and steaming dumplings rather than sweet potatoes. I’ll never forget the first time my family decided to try something a little different for dinner. My dad had no idea what he was doing and couldn’t figure out how to separate the skin of the duck from the meat. My mom then had the crazy idea to use a bike pump to solve our problem. Since everyone else in my family was disgusted by the idea of pumping a dead duck full of air, I ended up having to do it. That was definitely one of the weirdest half-hours of my life. Despite it being an unpleasant chore, my family has continued to use a bike pump every year since. Although my friends may give me odd looks when I tell them we aren’t serving the usual “Turkey dinner,” I’m glad we have our own traditions. It’s what makes my Thanksgiving holidays so memorable.

Students, share a “snapshot” of your most memorable Thanksgiving. What makes that day stand out in your mind?

3. What are your favorite side dishes?

What do people eat on Thanksgiving in your state? Take a look at the map above, which shows the most “distinct” Thanksgiving side dish by state as determined by the number of Google searches during the week of Thanksgiving from 2004 to 2013, relative to the number of searches in other states. Have you ever tried any of these foods?

You can use the questions from our What’s Going On in This Graph? feature as a jumping-off point for talking or writing about your favorite Thanksgiving Day side dishes:

What do you notice?

What do you wonder?

What impact does this have on you and your community?

What’s going on in this map? Write a catchy headline that captures the map’s main idea.

4. Who and what are you grateful for this year?

Thanksgiving, for many people, is a time to share what they are grateful for this year. Join hundreds of other teenagers in telling us what you are thankful for by responding to our Picture Prompt “ Gratitude ” from 2021.

Or, answer to the more recent question “ Who Is Someone You Would Like to Thank? ” It might even inspire you to send a handwritten thank-you note to a person you appreciate.

5. What does this holiday mean to you?

In this special Thanksgiving Student Opinion question from 2019, we selected four articles from around The Times, each of which takes on a different perspective about Thanksgiving — one on connecting with others, another on eating, a third on celebrating the holiday as a refugee and a fourth on challenging the myths around the first Thanksgiving.

Read excerpts from each of them and then share your response to the question — What does Thanksgiving mean to you ? — here .

6. Do we need to rethink Thanksgiving?

In 2020, amid the coronavirus pandemic, a racial reckoning and a series of climate disasters, we asked teenagers, How should we honor Thanksgiving this year? How can we hold the complicated history and commodification of this holiday alongside celebrating with family and friends?

We think those questions are still relevant today. In “ How to Do Thanksgiving With Less Waste ,” Priya Krishna writes that these issues can feel daunting to tackle but that “food — and the Thanksgiving meal — is a great place to start.”

Students, read the article and then discuss the questions in our related Student Opinion prompt, “ Should We Rethink Thanksgiving? ”

7. What will you talk about at Thanksgiving dinner?

Do you look forward to gathering with family members and friends around the Thanksgiving dinner table? Or does the thought fill you with dread?

If the latter, try brainstorming some things to talk about ahead of time. These two prompts can help:

In “ What Will You Talk About on Thanksgiving? ” read about ways you can share gratitude “without rolling your eyes” and some suggestions from the NPR interviewer Terry Gross for having better conversations . Then, use our prompts to come up with some things you can say to start good discussions on Thanksgiving Day.

And in a time of political polarization, not to mention a recent election, it might help to have a game plan for talking with people who have views different from yours. Even though our prompt “ Will Your Family Members Disagree With Each Other About Politics This Thanksgiving? ” was written after the 2016 election, we think the questions are still relevant in 2022.

8. What Thanksgiving story could this image tell?

Now for something a little different: Use your imagination to write the opening of a Thanksgiving-themed short story, poem or memoir inspired by this illustration. You can read other students’ writing here .

You and your family or classmates can also use this image for an Exquisite Corpse-type story . One person starts by writing or saying aloud the first line of a story based on the image, and then another person adds on and so on.

9. Do you participate in Black Friday?

Look at the photograph above. What emotions do you feel as you look at the faces in that crowd?

Have you ever been in a crowd waiting for a store to open after Thanksgiving? If so, what was it like? Would you do it again?

If you want to debate the merits and discuss the mayhem of Black Friday shopping, you can find questions here and here to get you started.

10. What, if anything, is hard about the holidays for you?

Finally, we know that Thanksgiving isn’t easy for everyone.

“Family drama around the holidays is such a cliché that I can probably name a dozen movies off the top of my head that start with the premise of a moderately dysfunctional clan getting together for Thanksgiving or Christmas,” begins a recent Parenting newsletter.

Though the writer is addressing adults, holidays can be stressful for teenagers, too. What, if anything, has you worried about the coming Thanksgiving holiday, or any other seasonal family or community gathering? How will you cope? What tips can you offer others for making family celebrations go smoothly?

Weigh in on our recent Picture Prompt “ Holiday Stress .”

Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public.

Find more Student Opinion questions here. Teachers, check out this guide to learn how you can incorporate these prompts into your classroom.

Natalie Proulx joined The Learning Network as a staff editor in 2017 after working as an English language arts teacher and curriculum writer. More about Natalie Proulx

Travel Journal: Ideas, Tips, and How To Write a Travel Diary

• Travel Journal

Traveling has the potential to be wildly fulfilling. It exposes you to new cultures, different perspectives and unique experiences. The further you travel the more you are pushed out of your comfort zone. And the more you are pushed out of your comfort zone, the more you learn about yourself and the world around you.

One of the most popular types of journals is a travel journal. By having a travel diary, you can keep all these new experiences and knowledge in one place where you can reflect on them.

What is a travel journal?

Travel journals are a place where you can write about trips you have taken, what you learned during and the experiences you had. It is a collection of adventures, stories, memories and discovery.  It doesn’t matter where you're going or who you’re traveling with, an online trip journal can come anywhere. 

Why Write A Journal When Traveling?

There are many benefits of keeping a journal when traveling, but here are a few to start with:

Remember More

By writing down the things you want to do on your trip and the things you have done during it, you won’t forget the reasons you wanted to go and will remember more of your visit.

When traveling somewhere new, you will learn a lot about that place’s culture, customs and people. By having a place to write down your observations, you will absorb more of your surroundings.

Reflect More

A journal is a place to record new things you have discovered while exploring various places you visit. By having all these new findings in one place, you will be able to look back and reflect on what you have learned and apply it to other parts of your life.

How To Write Travel Journals: 5 Tips To Get The Most Out Of Your Journaling

You don’t need to be traveling to Timbuktu to write a travel diary. Your writing can start with a family vacation or a weekend getaway. All you need is a destination and your holiday journal can begin!

1. Use your journal to plan your trip

Your trip journal can begin before your trip has even started. Use your journal to start planning the things you want to do. It can be anything from a cool restaurant you want to eat at, a hike you want to go on or different sights you want to see. Write down whatever is on your trip check-list, so you don’t forget it.

Once you know what you want to do, do some research and figure out the best way to do it. If you want to go see a special monument, figure out the best way to get there and put it in your journal. If you want to do some cool activities, write down the contact information of the people, places or tours that facilitate them. Your journal is also a great place to keep the contact information of your accommodations and transportation.

2. Write about what you imagine it will be like

Sometimes when you travel, your destination is wildly different than what you expected. Maybe you expected the local food to be bad and it turned out to be delicious. Maybe you imagined the town to be smaller than it actually is. Maybe you thought you would be more comfortable with the language. Whatever it is, think about writing it down before you arrive. It will be interesting to compare these predictions to what you actually experienced.

3. Write during your trip

It is always easier to remember things when they are fresh in your brain, so try and write as much as you can while traveling; every day if you can. Your journal entries don’t have to be long, but let them highlight what you feel was most important or exciting. How did you feel during your visit to the local market? What did you smell, taste and hear? Did you learn something new from the person you spoke to at the bar? Were you surprised by the clothes people were wearing? What was the view from the top of the mountain like? Before you go to bed, try and recall what you did that day, what you thought and how you felt. This will serve as a great way to remember more from your trip, but will also help you reflect and grow from what you encountered.

4. Add pictures to your journal

Even though your journal is meant for writing, pictures are still worth a thousand words. Combining pictures with your first-hand accounts of what they represent, or what happened when they were taken, will make for an even more comprehensive narrative of your travels. Don’t worry about glueing or taping anything either. Penzu allows you to upload pictures straight into your online travel journal, so you can keep your pictures and words connected and organized.

5. Write about your trip after you leave

Since you write about your trip before you arrive, you should also write about it after you leave.

• What was it like?
• What did you learn?
• What surprised you?
• What disappointed you?

It is important to reflect on your travels, so you can retain new understandings and apply them to future adventures. This is also a great way to learn about yourself, other people you may have travelled with and how you can grow. Step back from all the things you did and try to see the big picture. It may surprise you.

10 Travel Journal Ideas To Inspire You

The blank pages of your travel journal may not be serving as great inspiration, but your new trip should! Here are 10 travel journal ideas to get those creative juices flowing, kick-start your writing and help you get the most out of your travels. We hope these journal prompts help!

1. Why are you going?

Not every trip needs an explanation and not every vacation needs a justification. People travel for all sorts of different reasons or for no reason at all, but if your travel has purpose, write about it. Even if you’re traveling for the sake of it, that is a reason worth talking about too.

2. Write about your expectations.

As we mentioned above, expectations can wildly differ from reality, especially when going somewhere you’ve never been or going with someone you have never travelled with before. Jot down what you think the trip will be like, or hope it will be like.

3. What are you going to do?

Write about the things you want to do, the sights you want to see, the music you want to dance to, the food you want to taste. Writing it all down will get you excited and help you not to forget.

4. Write about the people.

Did you meet anyone new? Did you make a new friend? Were the locals welcoming? Did you learn something new from a stranger? Did you learn something new from a friend? People can really make a trip. Whether you came with them, or met them there, write about how the people you encountered affected your experience.

5. Write about the food.

Just because you call it your travel diary, doesn’t mean it can’t double as a food diary . If there are any foods you loved, dishes you hated or recipes you can’t live without, write them down to remember them all. Maybe some new fare you tried will influence your tastes when you return home.

6. The ups and the downs.

What did you like most about the trip? What did you like the least?

7. Write about yourself.

Reflect on the new experiences you had, what made you uncomfortable and what enticed you. Did you learn anything new about yourself on the trip? Did being somewhere else expose something you hadn’t seen in yourself before? Traveling can help people grow. Think about your journey and if it helped you grow in any way.

8. Write a travel guide.

If you knew friends were going to the same place, what would you tell them to do? Write down your recommendations and the stuff that should not be missed.

9. What would you have changed?

Is there anything about the trip you would have changed? Is there anything else you wish you did? Anything you wish you didn’t do? Write about your travels and how you can improve them for the next time you go away.

10. Where do you want to go next?

We all have a wish-list of places we want to go. Write yours down and try to start checking them off.

Using Penzu for Your Travel Journal

Penzu’s journal software allows you to access your journal from any computer, smartphone or tablet. Penzu will be your travel journal app ; all you need is your mobile phone or tablet and can write in in it, with or without wifi. You never have to miss an entry or forget a moment, as Penzu can come with you around the world. No internet necessary.

Now that you know what to write in a travel diary and how to write one, all you need to decide is where to go. Pick a place get start your online journal today!

There's no time like the present - start your free online journal today!

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Get access to your diary wherever you are – download the free Penzu app for your all of your iOS and Android devices today!

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Gratitude Journal

We'll explain what a gratitude journal is, how to figure out what you're grateful for (and why), and some guidelines for keeping one through Penzu.

• Dream Journal

Dream journals are instrumental in fields as diverse as psychology, natural science, creative arts and advanced mathematics. What is your subconscious trying to tell you?

Prayer Journal

Deepen your relationship with God by writing down your prayers every day. Learn by reflecting on prayers that have been answered, and others that haven’t.

• Bible Journal

Bible journals can provide you with a therapeutic way to better cope with everyday situations, understand your feelings and establish a connection between your life and the biblical content.

How To Create a Reflective Journal

A reflective journal is the perfect place to jot down some of life's biggest thoughts.

• Free Signup
• What is a Journal
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Essay on My Summer Holiday

Students are often asked to write an essay on My Summer Holiday in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on My Summer Holiday

Introduction to my summer holiday.

My summer holiday was a time of joy and fun. I spent two whole months away from school, enjoying the warm weather and free time. This essay will share the best parts of my vacation.

Playing with Friends

During the holiday, I played a lot with my friends. We rode bikes, played soccer, and had picnics in the park. It was great to spend so much time outside.

Family Trip

My family went on a trip to the beach. The sand was hot, and the ocean was cool. We built sandcastles, swam, and ate ice cream. It was a happy time with my family.

Learning Something New

I also learned to fish. My grandpa taught me, and I caught my first fish! It was exciting and something I’ll always remember from this summer.

In conclusion, my summer holiday was full of adventure, family, and new experiences. It was a break I cherished and will look back on with a smile.

250 Words Essay on My Summer Holiday

My summer holiday was a time filled with joy and new experiences. As the school year ended, I felt a wave of excitement thinking about the days ahead without homework or tests.

Visiting My Grandparents

The first part of my vacation was spent at my grandparents’ house in the countryside. Their home is surrounded by green fields and tall trees. Every morning, I would wake up to the sound of birds chirping and the smell of fresh pancakes made by my grandma. I helped my grandpa in the garden, and we would pick ripe fruits and vegetables.

Learning to Swim

During my stay, I also learned to swim. My uncle took me to a nearby lake where the water was clear and cool. At first, I was scared, but with practice, I started to enjoy moving through the water. By the end of my visit, I could swim across the lake without stopping.

Fun with Friends

When I returned home, I spent lots of time with my friends. We rode our bikes, played soccer in the park, and had picnics with sandwiches and lemonade. Laughing and running around made the days fly by.

Reading Adventures

I also read many books, which took me on adventures without leaving my room. I discovered magical lands, solved mysteries, and met interesting characters. Reading before bed became my favorite part of the day.

My summer holiday was a mix of outdoor fun, learning new things, and enjoying quiet moments. It was a break from school that gave me happy memories to keep me smiling through the year.

500 Words Essay on My Summer Holiday

Summer holidays are the best part of the year for every student. It is a time when school is out, the sun is shining, and there are no homework or tests to worry about. I always look forward to summer because it means I can relax and do all the fun things I’ve been dreaming about during the school year.

Planning for the Vacation

Before the summer began, my family and I sat down to plan what we would do. We decided to visit my grandparents who live in a small village by the sea. I was excited because I love the beach and I don’t get to see my grandparents very often. We packed our bags with summer clothes, swimming suits, and games to play with my cousins.

Traveling to the Village

The journey to the village was long, but it was worth it. We traveled by car, and I could see the landscape changing as we moved from the busy city to the quiet countryside. The fields were green and full of flowers, and I could feel the fresh air through the car window.

Days at the Beach

Most of my summer days were spent at the beach. The sand was hot under my feet, and the sea was cool and refreshing. I built sandcastles, collected shells, and learned to swim better. My family would often have picnics on the beach, and I loved eating sandwiches and fruit while listening to the sound of the waves.

Time with Grandparents

Staying with my grandparents was special. They have a small farm with animals that I don’t usually see in the city. I helped them collect eggs from the chickens and feed the goats. My grandmother taught me how to bake bread, and my grandfather told me stories from when he was a boy. These are memories I will always cherish.

Learning New Things

Summer is not just for play; I also used the time to learn new things. I read books that I had no time to read during school days. I also started learning how to play the guitar. It was hard at first, but I practiced every day, and by the end of the summer, I could play a few songs.

Friendship and Fun

I made new friends during the holiday. Some were from the village, and others were visiting like me. We played soccer, went fishing, and explored the woods near the beach. We shared stories and laughed a lot. These friendships made my summer even more enjoyable.

Conclusion: The End of Summer

As the summer ended, I felt both happy and sad. I was excited to go back to school and see my friends, but I knew I would miss the beach, my grandparents, and the carefree days of summer. However, I returned home with a heart full of joy, a mind full of new knowledge, and a promise to myself to make the next summer holiday just as amazing. Summer holidays are a magical time, and I can’t wait for the next one!

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on My Success
• Essay on My Strength In Life
• Essay on My Strengths And Weaknesses

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Happiness — Holiday Experience: What Makes Me Happy

Holiday Experience: What Makes Me Happy

• Categories: Happiness

About this sample

Words: 429 |

Published: Feb 12, 2019

Words: 429 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Table of contents

The importacne of doing what makes you happy, works cited.

• Burgess, H. (2021). 5 ways to make the most of your holidays. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-difference-engine/202106/5-ways-make-the-most-your-holidays
• Burn, S. M., & Szabo, A. (2019). An investigation of the impact of annual leave on job satisfaction, emotional exhaustion, and occupational stress among mental health professionals. Journal of Mental Health, 28(2), 186-193.
• Coon, D., & Mitterer, J. O. (2014). Psychology: Modules for active learning (13th ed.). Cengage Learning.
• Eder, R. W., & Walser, R. D. (2014). The importance of leisure and vacation time. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 10(4), 277-279.
• Elias, N. (2020). 12 reasons why holidays are important. Out of Office. Retrieved from https://www.outofoffice.com/blog/12-reasons-why-holidays-are-important
• Fisher, C. D. (2015). Happiness at work. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 12(8), 8628-8646.
• Gallagher, M. W., Marques, S. C., & Lopez, S. J. (2017). The importance of grit in the prediction of academic success and retention. Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice, 19(4), 332-347.
• Hill, K. (2018). 5 reasons why it’s important to take a break from work. Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/kaytiezimmerman/2018/07/11/5-reasons-why-its-important-to-take-a-break-from-work/?sh=6c9acfc13dbf
• Januszka, M., & Andruszkiewicz, A. (2018). Emotional exhaustion and workaholism: The impact of goal attainment, obsessive-compulsive tendencies and work–life balance. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 27(3), 290-303.
• Kim, J. (2018). Positive psychological effects of leisure activities: Does distance from the everyday make a difference? Journal of Leisure Research, 50(4), 396-408.

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Travel journal examples and how to get the most out of a travel journal

A travel journal: your new best friend.

Travel journal examples can spark ideas for your own journal. This matters a great deal because a travel journal can be one of your most helpful travel — make that life — tools. It can serve myriad purposes from recording your thoughts, emotions (an important aspect many overlook) and experiences to being a repository of creative ideas and even artwork. You can use it as a scrapbook, planning tool, contact book, organizer, reference book (for vital information such as passport numbers, hotel addresses, places to visit, etc.) and even a place to hide certain valuables.

It’s simple enough to put information into your travel journal. The hard part is being able to find or extract that information easily later on. But don’t worry. I’ll show you travel journal examples, techniques, hacks and tips for that and more based on decades trying a wide variety of travel journals and approaches. You’ll find these useful whether you’re an old pro at journaling or even if you’ve never used a travel journal before. And be sure to read all the way through this article since the Additional Resources section at the end is loaded with inspiring and helpful travel journal examples and ideas.

Getting started

The first and most important thing to remember is that there is no one right way to set up your travel journal. In fact, I’ve found that the best approach is to just start with something and learn as you go. My first travel journal was basically a daily diary: “Today I did this, etc.” Now, however, I use it in a very different matter. But it all comes down to this: What is the purpose of your travel journal?

Two typical entries from my first travel journal on my first trip to Europe in high school. I have upped my travel journal game a bit since then, or so I hope.

This is such an important question because it will guide what kind of notebook/journal/sketchbook you use, how you organize it and how you interact with it. If you’re just starting out, you may not even know your purpose other than to record your experiences. That’s fine. Start there. Then refine over time.

For me, I see my travel journal as a collection tool for travel drawing and notes where I gather ideas, sketches, some to-do’s, trip details and anything else that interests me. But the main difference between this and most journals is that as a tool, I want to use my journal after I return. Not just for nostalgic reminisces on my trip, but to glean from it what I’ve learned, gained and become. I’ll explain this more momentarily.

Picking the right journal

Again, I’m not sure there is a universal “right” travel journal. Your goal is to find what works for you. You can start by determining if you want a blank notebook or a travel journal that comes with prompts, quotes, organizing categories, etc. Here’s a helpful list of 17 travel journals to give you a sense of travel journal examples and possibilities. Mostly, consider if you want to do travel drawing or even painting in your travel journal. If so, you’ll want thicker paper that won’t warp with the water or bleed through with ink. You likely will want blank pages, as opposed to lines, grids or dots.

Just as there’s no right or wrong size (just what works for you), so too is the orientation up to you. As you can see here, I sketched holding the journal in a portrait orientation (left page) but wrote (right page, partial) using a landscape orientation. Both work.

If you want to use it as a form of a scrapbook, get one with pockets or that is expandable enough for when you’ve doubled the thickness with all those tickets, stamps, samples of currency, bottle labels and other elements you’ve glued to the pages.

Buying a nice looking or feeling notebook or journal can be motivating. But getting too nice of a notebook to use can be intimidating: You’ll be afraid to do any travel drawing or mess it up. Thus, I suggest starting somewhere in the middle. Find a journal or notebook that will hold up well (hard covers help in this regard), but isn’t so expensive you’ll only want to use it on special occasions. 

Even fancy patterns on your pages can be fun. I tend to prefer blank pages, but sometimes I’ll try different patterns just to mix things up.

Your travel journal is more of a workhorse than a show pony (though sometimes a bit of that too later on). You’ll get far more out of one you use all the time, where you write, do travel drawing or urban sketching, doodle and record with the intent that only you will ever see it. If you choose to show it to others later, fine. But don’t make that your main goal, at least as a beginner, or you’ll never get the most out of your journal.

How will you use your travel journal?

Back to purpose, you can choose to have a general-use journal or one devoted only to your trips (or to a particular trip). I have done both, and there are pros and cons to each. A journal for all situations allows you to connect everything you do so that if a great work idea hits you on a trip, you can reference back to a meeting about that, etc. You can also find things easier in some ways since your whole life, trip or home/work, is laid out in a chronological fashion in one book.

Here’s a recent journal of mine that I use daily, as well as for trips. You can see the basic outline for this article here that I wrote on the plane on a business trip. How do I know it was on a trip? From the notation that the sketch was done from a photo in the airplane’s magazine somewhere between Baltimore (BWI) and Seattle (SEA)

A really popular approach these days to general journals is the Bullet Journal . Many people swear by this way of organizing their journal and their life. I love many of the ideas found in bullet journaling. But I choose not to follow that approach completely. Why? Bullet journaling is primarily intended as a productivity tool. I personally don’t find it helpful in that regard because, for example, tracking all my calendar events and moment-by-moment to-do’s in a journal slows me down.

Combine digital and analog

Instead, I use a combination of Outlook, Trello , Evernote and Scrivener (the latter two for organizing ideas and writing projects or content) on my phone and computer. The main reason for tracking tasks digitally is that they roll over automatically. I don’t have to constantly move them manually from one day, week or month to-do list to the next.

But the main reason I don’t use the bullet journal methodology for my travel journal is that when I travel, productivity is not my goal. Exploration and discovery are. I use my travel journal to capture what I learn as I explore the world around me and the world within me wherever I go.

On a trip, I’m less interested in productivity than in explaining why this sketch was hard to do well.

In the last few years, I’ve taken up sketching and even watercolors, so for me, I now maintain a separate travel journal for each major trip. I use one that has thicker watercolor paper, so on a three-week trip, I can pretty much fill up the whole book. But for shorter trips, I do use my day-to-day journal. And I’ve even done both: Used my day-to-day journal to record words and a smaller sketchbook for travel drawing or watercolors. Again, no right or wrong way to do this. Just start with an approach and build from there.

Organizing your travel journal

What follows is how I organize my travel journal. It’s the same way I do my day-to-day journal but with some additional pages in the end for travel-specific information. My purpose, remember, is to capture ideas, information and experiences and then to be able to use these later. For that reason, the most helpful part of my journal is the index. I’ll explain that in a moment along with travel journal examples, but here’s what else goes into my journal.

Starting with a brand new empty journal

The first thing I do with a new journal is to put my name, cell phone number and email address on the inside cover.

Next, if the journal doesn’t have a rear pocket, I make one or glue/tape in a small envelope that fits on the inside of the rear cover.

If you glue in your own, consider hiding a few large denomination bills, both dollars and the local currency, behind the envelope or anything else you tape or glue inside the covers. It’s a great place for hiding back-up money. It works because once you start using your travel journal regularly, you’ll find it is one of your most precious possessions. You’ll learn to guard it like your wallet, passport or phone.

These are just some of the many travel journals I’ve filled up over the years.

In addition to the pocket or envelope in your journal, consider bringing a quart or gallon-sized zip lock bag to hold all the small items you pick up along the way. I used to shove them into pockets in my carry-on bag, but having a single location now keeps them from getting lost or mangled. And it keeps my travel journal from looking like George Costanza’s wallet on Seinfeld . This same bag can hold a glue stick, paper clips or anything else you want for adding items to your journal.

Start in the front and work back

I track everything chronologically noting the date at the top of each day’s entry. If it spans multiple pages, I’ll write “(cont.)” after the date on later spreads so I know to keep looking for the start of that day when I review the entry later.

I work in this chronological fashion for recording most of my entries because I find it flows better to write the item down right away and then figure out how to classify it later. I set up indexes in the back for classifying and locating the entry. But that comes as a review step, not a creative or collecting function.

What to write

Starting at the front section of the travel journal, I may use the very first page as a title page if the journal is devoted to a single trip. Otherwise, I skip over that page and then start with the date of the start of the trip and then just keep going from there. Here are the types of content I write/draw along with some of my travel journal examples:

Sometimes, I’ll devote a whole page or spread to nothing but sketches.

• General thoughts . These make up the majority of my journal and are what you’d expect in any journal.
• Sketches . I’m still just a beginner, but I’ve committed to one sketch per day, at home or on a trip. Sometimes they are involved. Others (most of the time), are just a quick gesture. But the discipline helps improve my skill.
• A daily log . At the end of each day, I do a very quick list of summary activities, where I went, who I met, what I did. I actually note it like this: “(Log 11/27/19 – Wed.):” so that I can see at a glance what were log entries versus other ideas. For logs, the shorter the better. Here’s where bullet journal techniques can help: Record a few words as a bullet rather than full sentences. At the end of every daily log, I also record two specific items in addition log entries themselves, gratitude points and what I’ve read or watched.
• Gratitude points : I jot down what I call a Goodness Journal (abbreviated as GJ) entry. This is the highlight of my day for which I am most grateful. On trips, this can often end up being multiple points.
• Read/Watched : The second additional component is what I call Read/Watched (R/W) where I list any books I’ve read that day or any movies, programs, concerts, etc. that I watched. It can include podcasts and anything else you want to track. Before I started doing this, I’d get to the end of the year and couldn’t recall all the books I’d read. Now I can just by referring back to these entries.
• Insights and Ideas . Most of my journal at home is filled with these. On trips, these happen more on plane, train or bus rides than every single day. But they could happen any time which is why I keep a pocket-sized travel journal with me or at least a note card or my phone so I can write the idea down immediately.
• Quotes . These can be formal written ones I encounter or snippets of conversations I overhear. As a writer, I want to always be gathering dialog examples or clever turns of phrases.
• To-dos. Yes, I said I record these digitally for the daily tasks. But sometimes on trips, you have opportunities for dreaming and planning. I mark all to-do’s with a checkbox I can fill in later. I like the bullet journal way they do this as well (a dot instead of a box).

I had a gentleman in China demonstrate his woodblock stamps by stamping some examples in my journal. You can paste in stamps, tickets, receipts, postcards or any other artifacts from your trip onto your journal pages as you go (if you remember to bring some glue or paste).

• Descriptions . These are either quick notes on what I’m seeing, hearing, tasting or tasting, or longer ways to capture the details of a place. See Look Closely for details on how to do this as a way to learn to see details better or to write better based on your travels. I also make sure to write down the names of places, people, food, local expressions and anything else I want to write about later. Don’t assume you’ll remember it or can look it up later. Write it down.
• Miscellaneous . I’ve had artists draw in my journal, had people stamp it (see photo above), record different colors of beverages spilled or intentionally dripped on it and a wealth of other things added. Be open to how you can use your journal. Or for fun, try this exercise: Come up with as many ways as you can think of to use your travel journal on your next trip.

The back of the journal

The front of the journal is used for a chronological input of information each day (or whenever you choose). The goal there is to record the idea, insight, drawing or information just like in a diary. The back of the journal is where you’ll organize it all for later retrieval.

Working from the last page backwards, I set up a series of index or topic pages (see the list below) where I record anything related to that topic either verbatim (if I have the time and forethought to write it down there such as contact info or a quote I came across) or as a page number reference and summary line from the front of the journal (hence the reason these back-of-the-journal pages are called Index Pages).

For me, I find that most index sections only require one page (e.g. for Contacts or Travel Details) but I leave two pages for Ideas or Vocabulary since they tend to have more entries. I write small (some would say ridiculously small), so if you don’t, you may want to leave more room.

Review your entries and record them for easier retrieval

I don’t assign page numbers as I write in the front of the journal. Instead, I jot down a page number later, maybe daily, maybe weekly, as I review my journal. Writing down the page number during the review phase shows me which pages have been indexed. No page number indicates it still needs to be indexed. As I review each page, I also code the entries themselves on the journal pages by highlighting the topic or assigning a word or letter to let me know what it is. For example, if there’s a quote, I will write “Quote” and circle it right before the quote. For blog ideas, I’ll write “blog” and circle that, etc. If  an idea that has distinct merit, I’ll draw a star next to it. Particular project ideas get a corresponding code, e.g. if it’s about  my book on Hidden Travel,   I’ll write “HT” and circle that. The whole point is to make it easier to spot the entry when you’re reviewing the page later.

Here you can (hopefully) see how I’ve written and circled page numbers at the top and put a box around the word “Quote” on the left page and “Visual appeal article” on the right page. Then, on the Quotes index page, I’ll write “108” and circle it with a quick notation like, “E.B. White on saving/savoring the world.” On the Ideas index page, I’ll write “109” and circle it with the notation, “Visual Appeal article questions.”

In case you’re wondering why the index/topic pages go in the back and not in the front like a table of contents, it’s because I often add topics as I progress through the journal. Working from the back gives me room to add new pages whereas if I’d started from the front and I didn’t guess correctly, I’d be out of room before running into my journal entries.

Travel journal examples of Pre-Trip Items

Some of my index/topic pages get filled in (or at least started) before my trip either as planning or to load my travel journal with important information to have on my trip. Here are some travel journal examples of the key sections.

Here’s a travel journal example of a shot list from my China trip journal. I tend to write pretty small in the back section of a journal! The whited out area was my passport number in code. Writing key information on pages with other entries makes it even less obvious this is something valuable.

• Vocabulary. On trips to countries where I’m learning the language, I’ll add new vocabulary words here usually starting long before the trip. These are key words to practice, as well as new ones I pick up as I travel.
• Shot list . When planning my trip, as a photographer, I make a list of specific places, scenes, techniques I want to try or even times of day I want to shoot. Check out my Beginner’s Guide to Making Awesome Travel Photos for more on this and other travel photo techniques. In addition, as I review guidebooks or articles, I’ll add interesting places to this list. Even if you’re not a photographer, you can make a list of “must see” places or “must do” experiences or activities. Writing them down really helps because it makes it so easy to find all these in one place rather than hunting through a guidebook or other pages on your trip.
• Themes and Moments . This is yet another pre-trip fill-in page. I try to come up with a theme or quest for each trip. Writing down ideas about that or defining it really adds to the anticipation of the trip. On this page, I’ll also jot down ideas for creating magic or defining moments for others on the trip. This includes ideas for the activities or contact info for places or people that will be part of the activity.

Travel journal examples of elements to add as you travel

Here are some typical index/topic pages in the back of my travel journal that get filled in as I go:

• Contact information . I keep a separate page to record the names, email addresses, etc. of people I meet along the way. If, in a hurry, I just write down a name and email address in the front-of-the-book journaling section. I’ll later record the page number and contact name on the page here so all I can find all my contacts in one place later.
• Ideas . This becomes a catchall for any creative ideas I’ve had. I normally start with the page number(s) followed by a brief summary such as “27 – 29: Dining room chair design” or “73: Article on architecture styles in Morocco.”

Here’s a specific travel journal example, the Ideas Index Page from my China trip journal. I had started the page on the left as a vocabulary list but made room from more ideas when I ran out of space on the page on the right.

• Books and Movies . This too is a catchall for any form of entertainment I want to read. I constantly get book and movie (and even song or podcast) recommendations as I travel that I add here with an open check box. I also record books I’ve finished to this list noting those with a checked box.
• Quotes . As noted above, these may be written quotes I come across or snippets of dialog I pick up. I either write the quote here directly or reference the journal page where I wrote the quote with a reminder such as “53-quote from Leipzig waitress on timing.”

You can do a trip highlights page on the flight home, but sometimes it helps to record a summary of details in the midst of your trip of things that stand out to you.

• To-do’s. I said I like to keep my travel journal free from productivity and time management, but I always have big-picture to-do activities that arise on a trip. I’ll record these as I go in the journal section, but for longer-term ones I don’t want to lose track of, I sometimes add a to-do index as well in the back of the journal. This can also be a great place to record future planning ideas for things you want to accomplish after your trip.
• Trip highlights . I’ll normally note the big moments in the journal section as they occur. But often on the flight home, I like to review these and capture them all in one place with the page reference and a brief notation. I may also add in additional ones at this point because sometimes, you don’t realize how powerful or meaningful a moment was at the time.

When your journal is full

Eventually, you’ll fill up your journal with entries. You’ll then review and have every page numbered with key entries noted in your index pages. Then what?

I use Scrivener (for writing projects) and Evernote (for others) as software/apps to track ideas over time. Thus, when I finish a journal, I go copy the content from my index pages into one of these digital programs.

There are several reasons for this. First, it helps to have all your ideas over time in one place so you can view them easier. Second, with the online tools, I can tag content by subject making retrieval later much easier. Most of us focus our efforts on having ideas and maybe writing them down. But those ideas won’t serve you well if you can’t find them later. Finally, putting everything into one place helps me see patterns and related ideas which, in turn, sparks new ideas.

It all relates to the concept of Collect, Connect and Share. If all you’re doing is collecting, you’re missing out on the main value of your journal.

Make a copy

This may be overkill to some, but my journals are precious repositories of life. I would hate to lose them. I could dictate the contents and transcribe that, but I don’t have that kind of time. Instead, Evernote comes to the rescue.

The Evernote app has a photo function. I open the app and take pictures of every spread or page of my journal. I save the results as an Evernote file and can even tag it by date, country or other criteria. It then resides on the cloud (and I also do a back-up on a drive at home). That way, if the original gets lost, I know that all those memories are secure.

Let’s review

Here’s a summary of the key points:

• Know the purpose for your journal
• Choose the type of journal based on your intended purpose.
• Start with something that’s not too nice so that you’re not afraid to mark it up.
• Keep daily entries in the front and a list of index pages in the back of the journal.
• Periodically review your journal entries. As you do, number each page and record that page number and a brief reminder on the appropriate index page.
• At the end of each journal, photograph each page and save to a secure location. Then enter the index information into whatever tool you use for tracking all of your ideas over time.

Additional resources and travel journal examples

Here are other resources and travel journal examples to both inspire and help you get the most out of your travel journal:

• A helpful article with visuals of different travel journal examples
• Writer and artist Austin Kleon’s comments on notebooks 
• Travel journal examples (and notebooks) of author Robert MacFarlane 
• Some additional travel journal examples and notebook types
• The Sketchbook Projec t, one of my favorite places to visit in Brooklyn, NY and a great source of inspiration for sketchbooks. If you’re looking for a single place for travel journal examples, it is this one. Here are just a few screen shots of some random travel journal examples I looked up by Julia Yellow . There are thousands of such journals at this site.

• If you really enjoy the travel drawing aspect of a travel journal, you might want to connect with the whole Urban Sketchers movement and see travel journal examples that include urban sketching. Here’s an example of an urban sketch by Stephanie Bower . I took some of her architectural sketching courses online at Bluprint and they were excellent.

Parting thoughts

Finally, if you want even more travel journal examples and information, be sure to read Lavinia Spalding’s excellent book on the subject, Writing Away: A Creative Guide to Awakening the Journal-Writing Traveler. Here’s one of many great quotes from the book:

“If we’re committed to honest investigation, the travel journal can be a cornerstone of growth and a catalyst for great work, providing a safe container for astonishing discoveries and the life lessons we take away from them. We write words in an empty book, and an inanimate object is transformed into a living, breathing memoir. In turn, as we write, the journal transforms us. It allows us to instantly process impressions, which leads to a more examined layer of consciousness in both the present and the future. It’s a relationship, and let me tell you, it’s no cheap one-night stand.”

You might want to consider writing that quote down in your travel journal. Either in the daily entries or on the quotes index page. Or however you want to do it. It’s your travel journal and the possibilities are endless.

Thanks Steve! Informative and creative. Your sketching is lovely, too! Merry Christmas to you and the fam

Thanks, Alan. I was just editing a section in my upcoming book, “Hidden Travel,” on the subject of sketching and the advice I was given by Gabriel Campinario, founder of Urban Sketchers. He told me to never apologize or say, “Oh, I’m just a beginner” when someone compliments your sketching because no matter how bad you think it is, it is still better than that of the 99% of the population who never attempts to draw. So I will leave it at, “Thank you!”

[…] I mainly get inspiration from a Reddit group called Journaling, and also I get a few ideas on making travel journals. Despite it being fun to do having a physical notebook, at times it can be difficult to finish them […]

You’ve inspired me to resume creating tiny travel journals, with scrapbook like additions. I use photo double sided stickies, not glue. Someone asked what do I do with these? As if creating isn’t pleasurable. I often use them as primary sources to create photobooks. Along with my Bird lists.🐦😁.

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Cinco de Mayo 2024: What is Cinco de Mayo and why does the US celebrate? Here's what we know

Cinco de Mayo literally means “the fifth of May” in Spanish, and it lands on Sunday in 2024. It’s not just a day to party, though.

It commemorates a significant time in history for Mexico, as well as a civil rights movement in America.

What is Cinco de Mayo? Why do we celebrate ? Here's what to know.

What is Cinco de Mayo?

This day is also known as Battle of Puebla Day. It celebrates the Mexican Army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, during the French-Mexican War, according to History .

Is Cinco de Mayo Mexican Independence Day?

It celebrates a pivotal point in the county's history, but Cinco de Mayo is NOT Mexico’s Independence Day.

Mexico gained independence from Spanish rule in 1810, and its Independence Day is observed on September 16.

Cinco de Mayo celebrates the victory of the Battle of Puebla during the French-Mexican war that lasted between 1861 and 1867.

Study up on Cinco de Mayo: 5 fun things you (probably) didn't know about Cinco De Mayo

What was the Battle of Puebla?

In 1861, Benito Juárez served his term as President of Mexico while the country drowned in debt after years of internal strife. It was his responsibility to fix those payments to European governments. But he put those repayments on hold due to lack of funds, according to the Library of Congress .

Upset and demanding repayment, Spain, France, and Britain sent naval forces to Mexico (the United States did not have involvement due to the Civil War).

After Juarez negotiated and explained that a war would further devastate Mexico’s economy, Spain and Britain pulled out after being promised repayment in the future.

However, France remained and attempted to colonize Mexico.

Ignacio Zaragoza, a Texas-born general, led the Mexican forces. Though their army lacked supplies, they managed to be much more strong-minded than the well-equipped French. France wrongly assumed the Mexicans would surrender. 

France eventually ran out of artillery and lost far more troops than Mexico, resulting in their withdrawal of forces from Puebla on May 5, 1862. A big part of this loss was due to a lack of aid and allyship from the Confederate states during the Civil War.

Though the French-Mexican war lasted until 1867, this day was considered a morale-booster for the Mexicans and has been celebrated ever since. 

Cinco de Mayo menu: Three easy recipes to get you in the spirit of Cinco de Mayo

Why is Cinco de Mayo celebrated in America? 

Enjoying this history lesson? You might be surprised to hear this — Cinco de Mayo isn’t the biggest holiday in Mexico itself. But it is widely celebrated in Mexican-American culture.

The celebration of Cinco de Mayo began as a form of resistance to the effects of the Mexican-American War in the late 19th century. The holiday gained popularity during the Chicano Movement — a social movement advocating for the better treatment and civil rights of all Mexicans in America — of the 1960s and 1970s.

The struggle of the Chicano movement is linked to Cinco de Mayo, as both celebrate the resistance to a foreign invader.

What is Cinco de Mayo? The holiday's origin and why it's celebrated in Mexico, US

When is Passover 2024? Here's what to know about the Jewish holiday

The Jewish holiday of Passover is celebrated by millions worldwide. It's a day steeped in antiquity and marked by remembrance and tradition for Jewish individuals and communities.

For eight consecutive days, Jews participate in what's known as Pesach, or "Passover" in Hebrew, where a cumulative experience of religious history, education and festivities come together to commemorate the biblical account of Exodus in the Hebrew Bible.

Observance of Passover typically coincides with Easter, although dates vary each year depending on the lunar cycle. This is due to the fact that Passover always begins on the night of a full moon in accordance with the Jewish calendar.

Here's what to know about the holiday.

When is Passover 2024?

Passover will begin in the evening of Monday, April 22.

When does Passover end?

Passover will last through Tuesday, April 30, just after sundown.

How long does Passover last?

Passover lasts seven or eight days each year.

What is Passover?

Within Judaism, Passover symbolizes the ancient Israelites' freedom from slavery in Egypt and underscores God's faithfulness, as detailed in the Torah's biblical narrative. The term "Passover" originates from the Exodus account, signifying the Jewish people being spared from the devastating plagues brought about by God.

In the Jewish calendar, Passover begins on the 15th day of the month of Nisan, which typically falls between March and April. Although it typically lasts eight days, Jews in Israel generally observe only seven days.  According to Jewish customs , work is usually prohibited on the first and last days of the holiday.

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Migrating Minds: Journal of Cultural Cosmopolitanism -- Call for submissions for Vol. 3, Issue 2, Fall 2025

Migrating Minds: Journal of Cultural Cosmopolitanism (ISSN 2993-1053) is a peer-reviewed, open-access scholarly journal devoted to interdisciplinary research on cultural cosmopolitanism from a comparative perspective. It provides a unique, international forum for innovative critical approaches to cosmopolitanism emerging from literatures, cultures, media, and the arts in dialogue with other areas of the humanities and social sciences, across temporal, spatial, and linguistic boundaries.

By placing creative expressions at the center of a wide range of contemporary and historical intercultural relationships, the journal explores forms of belonging and spaces of difference and dissidence that challenge both universalist and exclusionary paradigms.

Migrating Minds: Journal of Cultural Cosmopolitanism is hosted by Georgetown University, Washington D.C., and is co-supported by the “Plurielles” Research Group , Bordeaux Montaigne University, France. Its founders and editors-in-chief are Prof. Didier Coste (Bordeaux Montaigne U.), Dr. Christina Kkona (Bordeaux Montaigne U.), and Prof. Nicoletta Pireddu (Georgetown U.).

 Each journal issue includes 5-7 scholarly articles (6000-8000 words each) and several book reviews (1000 words each) and/or review essays (3000 words each).  

Migrating Minds: Journal of Cultural Cosmopolitanism  

invites submissions for Volume 3, Issue 2 (Fall 2025)

  It welcomes original and theoretically insightful contributions to cultural cosmopolitanism in connection with the following disciplinary domains and methodological approaches (but not exclusively):

Anthropology; Border studies; Cultural historiography; Cultural sociology; Ecocriticism and environmental studies; Exile, migration, and diaspora studies; Feminism, gender, sexuality, queer and transgender studies; Film and media studies; Global South studies; Mediterranean studies; Nativism and indigeneity; Oceanic and island studies; Performance studies; Philosophy; Poetics and aesthetics; Politics and cosmopolitics; Race and ethnic studies; Transatlantic studies; Translation studies; Transnational and global studies; Visual arts; World literature. 

Prospective authors wishing to discuss proposals for articles, book reviews, or review articles can contact the Editors-in-chief at [email protected] by October 31, 2024 .

Full-text articles and reviews should be submitted by February 28, 2025 through the designated online form .

Migrating Minds only accepts unpublished manuscripts that are not under consideration elsewhere. Books proposed for reviews should have been published no earlier than 2023.

  Migrating Minds also welcomes articles on a rolling basis and proposals for special issues or sections . Please contact the Editors-in-chief for further discussion.

  Migrating Minds articles are indexed in the MLA International Bibliography, Google Scholar, WorldCat  

Trump isn't sleeping during his trial – he's just STRONGLY complying with the gag order

The moments when fake news correspondents think he's dozing off are actually the moments when he's deep in thought, planning specific policy positions that he will present to the public in two weeks..

Once again, the liberal media is claiming PRESIDENT Donald Trump is falling asleep during his UNJUST criminal trial in Manhattan.

These so-called journalists, just because they were “in the courtroom” and “looking directly at Trump,” thought it was fair to report again Tuesday that he “ appears to have fallen asleep while listening to testimony – at times appearing to stir and then falling back to sleep.”

Trump is far too STRONG and MANLY to nod off in court and all prior reports about such behavior are preposterous. What those lamestream losers witnessed Tuesday was America’s greatest president closing his eyes and obeying the court’s UNCONSTITUTIONAL gag order really, really hard.

Trump isn't sleeping at his trial – he's multitasking!

Earlier in the day, the judge ruled that Trump had previously violated the gag order nine times and fined him $9,000 – saying he’d consider jailing him if it kept happening. So Trump responded with the ultimate alpha move: silencing himself so effectively his eyes closed to give the appearance of occasionally passing out.

But that’s not all these so-called courtroom naps are about. Because Trump is the ultimate multitasker, the moments when fake news correspondents think he’s dozing off are ACTUALLY the moments when he’s most deep in thought, planning out highly specific policy positions that he will present to the public … in two weeks .

Trump is clearly using the trial to stake out policy positions

As any MAGA loyalist knows, Trump always presents detailed, fact-filled policy proposals two weeks after he mentions them . That’s because he is a careful thinker who loves America.

If you want to know his health care plan to replace Obamacare, you will have to wait two weeks from whenever you ask it. Same with his infrastructure plan. 

About killing that dog: A memo from South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem's PR team, regarding her dog murdering

In a transcript of a new interview Trump did with Time magazine, the interviewer asks : “Last time we spoke, you said you had an announcement coming over the next two weeks regarding your policy on the abortion pill mifepristone. You haven't made an announcement yet. Would you like to do so now?”

And Trump boldly and sensibly responds : “No, I haven't. I'll be doing it over the next week or two.”

Sorry, libs, but THAT is the kind of wise and secretive thinking Trump is engaging in during his alleged courtroom sleepy time. And you’ll learn all about it in two freakin’ weeks.

Trump is also deep in thought about how best to complain outside the courtroom

And if that’s not enough to make you admire Trump’s vast intellect, his mind, during those moments when his eyes are closed and his head is nodding and he’s definitely not sleeping, is laser-focused on how to spend the free time he has outside the trial.

As you know, Trump and those of us who love him are FURIOUS that the trial is keeping him away from the campaign trail. It’s a clear case of ELECTION INTERFERENCE, and it’s forcing Trump to spend large amounts of time during the trial figuring out when he is going to complain about not being able to campaign.

Trump is so mad about not being able to campaign that he's not campaigning

For example, there was no trial over the weekend or on Monday, and Trump did zero campaign events on those days . He reportedly played a lot of golf, which, again, is a total alpha move.

Where is MAGA? Why aren't the MAGA faithful protesting Trump's trial/pity party?

But before heading into the chilly courtroom Tuesday morning, Trump said : “I'm going to go into the icebox now and sit for about eight hours or nine hours. I'd much rather be in Georgia. I'd much rather be in Florida. I'd much rather be in states that are in play, states that I’d like to be able to campaign in.”

Do you know how much mental energy it takes to not do campaign events on free days and then complain about not being able to campaign on days when you’re a defendant in a criminal trial? That shows GREAT STAMINA!

Don't call these 'Trump naps' – that's just him doing his best work

And I’m sure that when those disreputable reporters saw what they thought was Trump falling asleep in the courtroom Tuesday, he was just carefully plotting the next time he would rail against the unfairness of being held accountable before going home and sending out some properly mean social media posts.

Open your eyes, sheeple! And understand the real reason Trump’s eyes are closed.

Follow USA TODAY columnist Rex Huppke on X, formerly Twitter,  @RexHuppke  and Facebook  facebook.com/RexIsAJerk