Armed with glue sticks, glittery pens, stickers, and plenty of other art supplies, you might have thought Ayr Writers’ Club members were busy writing letters to Santa on Wednesday night. In keeping with the festive spirit, however, we were actually diving into the art of crafting for a Scrapbooking – Christmas Memories activity.
The evening began with a timed writing exercise, prompting us to reflect on our own holiday memories. Once the 20 minutes were up, it was time to get creative. We set about making a jolly keepsake for ourselves or as a thoughtful gift for a friend or family member.
We paused for a moment after putting down our pens, taking in the array of materials before us. Not unsure, but searching for a spark of inspiration, everyone carefully chose pens, stickers, or scraps of paper that might help bring our holiday memories to life.
Normally, at break time, the queue for coffee, tea, and biscuits forms pretty quickly. This time, though, everyone was happily caught up in the creative chaos. The refreshments had to wait a little longer than usual – proof of just how much fun we were having.
The activity also served as a wholesome way to get to know fellow club members better. From decorating the Christmas tree with grandchildren, to a graveyard of baubles left by a mischievous cat, and a family-favourite chestnut stuffing gone awry, so many lovely memories were captured. 
By the end of the evening, it was clear that the talents of our members aren’t limited to writing, with quite a few gifted crafters among us.
It was certainly something different from our usual club meetings, and it was a fun, festive way to spend the evening. With laughter, creativity, and plenty of memorable moments, it was the perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit ahead of our big night at Waterstones next week. 
Rebekah McVey
