Simple Project Starters for Digital & Hybrid Creators – Becca Bonneville Illustration + Design

The holiday season is such a natural invitation to get creative. Even if you’re feeling a little rusty or stretched thin (same!), a tiny project can be exactly the spark you need to find your rhythm again.

Below are some simple, jump-right-in project starters — divided into Digital Ideas and Hybrid Ideas — that don’t require elaborate plans or hours of time. Just the joy of making something.

DIGITAL PROJECT STARTERS

1. One-Photo Holiday Snapshot Page

Choose a single photo that makes you smile — a tree, a pet, a cozy moment.
Add one background paper + one cluster.
Done. Instant holiday joy.

2. Holiday Quote Card

Make a 3×4 or 4×6 card using:

A festive background
A favorite holiday quote or lyric
Maybe a sparkly icon
Save it and use it later in layouts or as a printable tag.

3. Festive Phone Wallpaper

Whip up a cheerful background using your holiday papers or an illustration
Set it as your wallpaper … voilà! a little happiness every time you unlock your phone

4. December Moodboard (Digital Collage)

Use a photo or pocket template (or even just a plain board in your program)
Add colors, motifs, textures, old layouts, and holiday vibes

This can become the inspiration base for your entire season.

5. Build a “Holiday Breadcrumbs” Page

Creating a page to quickly add your daily memories to will be a goldmine later with zero pressure.

Add tiny notes or one line a day
Add photos that reflect the small things happening this month

6. Digital Gift Tags

Create a stash of gift tags to print off when needed.

Use any tags from your stash you already have
Create your own tags using rectangles, patterned papers, and a “To/From.”

7. Holiday Title Cards

Create a handful of ready-made title cards to any time you need a quick page jump-start, like:

Merry & Bright
Cozy Christmas
Twinkle Time

DIGITAL + PHYSICAL HYBRID PROJECT STARTERS

1. Simple Pocket Spread Starter

Print a few journaling cards and one title card.
Add:

Handwritten note
A strip of washi
One photo

You’ve just started a December album without overwhelm.

2. Handmade Photo Strips

Print your photos in a vertical strip (like an old photobooth). Then add:

Tiny labels
Word strips
Doodles/illustrations

Cute. Quick. Keepsake-worthy.

3. Printed Embellishment Faves

Choose your favorite digital icons (stars, trees, cookies, snowflakes), print them on cardstock, and fussy cut them.
Place them in a little dish on your desk… now you always have ready-made bits to play with.

4. Holiday Gratitude List Card

Print a blank journaling card
Write down 5 things you’re thankful for today
Pop it into a pocket or tape it inside your planner

5. Quick Mini Tag Book

Grab 5–7 printed tags + a binder ring.
Add one word, date, or tiny embellishment to each.
Instant tiny project that brings BIG joy.

6. “One Memory, One Photo” Hybrid Page

Print one photo
Print one 3×4 card
Add a few printed word strips
Staple or glue it together
Done. Beautiful.

7. Printed Holiday Color Swatches

Print a 4×6 “color palette” card with your favorite holiday tones.
Use it as a guide for all your projects this season (it’s grounding and creatively freeing).

Ready to Create?

The magic of these tiny starts is that they don’t require perfection… just a moment of intention.
And whether you’re crafting digitally, hybrid, or somewhere in between, these small steps can help you reconnect with your creative joy this season.

Which one are you going to try first?
Tell me in the comments… I love hearing how you ease into holiday making!