This is Amy Sorensen for Big Picture Scrapbooking, and I'm here to tell you about my holiday class, The Gift of Words. But before I start, I have a confession:

This year I started getting ready for Christmas in July.

It's really not my fault. I just happened to stop by a random fabric store, just because I had a few free moments. It was July! Hot and dry and, well, hot. Who expects to come across a row of perfectly perfect new Christmas flannel in July? What kind of store stocks their shelves with Christmas stuff then ? Apparently fabric stores, and when I saw that fabric my mind started going crazy with ideas for how I'd use it. I bought some right then.

Yep-Christmas shopping in July.

Because obviously nothing says I love you or you really matter to me or thank you for all you do to make my life easier better than a handmade flannel quilt. Comfy and comforting. And cute. Of course, the dumb thing about it is that my perfectly perfect Christmas flannel has just hung out in my fabric drawer. Maybe I'll get around to making those quilts I envisioned in July, but maybe I won't. Because despite whatever happy goals I might make for myself about making my Christmas gifts, sometimes it's just way too overwhelming. Especially when I know of something simple and yet completely personalized and meaningful to give: words.

Let me explain. So often, we find ourselves searching for the perfect gift for someone we love. Because we love that person, we want the gift to say something to them about how we feel about them. We try to put the language of our emotions into an object. Sometimes it's even a useful object. But when I really stop to think about it, no one on my shopping list really needs anything. We all have homes and food and clothing. And each other, of course. Everything else is just extra. And while those perfect flannel quilts probably would suggest something about my feelings for the friends and family I planned on giving them to, they can't really come out and say it. And that's why words are what I love giving most. My words-the way I feel about the people I love, the things I want them to know. It's not letting things tell someone how I feel about them. It's just opening up and telling them.

If you're ready to give something that really is a little piece of you, this class is perfect. It's just two weeks, so it'll fit easily into your rush of Christmas preparation. During week one, you'll learn how to quickly personalize nearly every single Christmas card you send out. Because, really: why go to all the effort of making or mailing Christmas cards, when you simply write a bland "Happy Holidays" inside of it? With the techniques I've developed, you'll be able to write something with substance in just a few seconds, in every card you mail out.

During week two, we'll go about learning how to write word gifts. What's a word gift? Think of it as a sort of reunion with the lost art of writing letters. Only more valuable. It is a way of giving of yourself, of truly making something that comes right from your heart.

Plus there are all the goodies that Big Picture is known for, like reminder emails, downloadable audio, fantastic handouts. And you won't want to miss the bonus-and completely optional-downloads. One's full of techniques you can use to improve your writing. The other is brimming with creative ideas for your Christmas letter that will help you get past your usual way of doing it.

I hope you'll find time during your busy holiday schedule to join me for The Gift of Words. You'll find yourself less stressed about finding the perfect gift and devoted to the idea of the word gift. See you in December!