I know this is the last thing you want to think about, and I’m fully prepared to catch flack from it, but….
Christmas is on its way and will be here before you know it. Yikes!
Have any of you started planning for it yet? Have you even thought about it? I have. Which, unusually, is about all I’ve done. Normally, by this time I already have most of my gifts finished and tucked back. Not this year. We have had so much happening, that time has just slipped away, almost as if it were soil slipping through a garden rake. So now I need to get busy.
With the heat of the summer settling in for the long haul, now is the perfect time to get started. It’s getting too hot to do much outside, but we still want to be as productive as we can. Handmade Christmas gifts are a perfect way to not only stay cool and productive, but to also save you from having to do all that last-minute shopping. An added bonus is you will be creating one-of-a-kind gifts, and not just settling for something off the rack.
I think the most difficult thing to do is to determine what gift to get for which person. Most of my family is at the age where they really would prefer to clean out their houses and get rid of stuff, rather than bringing things back in. That means the gifts I need to get for them are at the very least something they will use or consume or are even um…practical. Ugh.
This year, I’m struggling on what to give. I’ve made a few things for the guys and have at least started gifts for the two young girls in my life. For the rest, I’m still uncertain, so until that is determined, I’m in a holding pattern.
But there are gifts I need to make that are part of a Secret Santa group I participate in, so I know I can work on those. These are gifts we make each year to give to those who are in need. Throughout the year I try to purchase some things like personal items, and make others, such as scarves, hats, throws, and toys. When we come across a family that’s hurting financially, we put these, along with food items, in a basket and have our local Secret Santa deliver them. Sometimes, Mrs. Secret Santa takes up a collection and then purchases gifts according to the needs of the recipient.
One of the worst things I find about the Christmas season is all the crowds, traffic, and stress that is caused by fighting my way through stores trying to find that perfect gift. I actively choose to avoid it as much as possible by creating as many handmade gifts I can, and getting any supply shopping done early.
If you aren’t sure what you want to make and give this year, baskets are one of the best ideas yet. Find something that a person on your list loves to do and start picking up or making items to fill a basket. Baskets can be created for almost any person and interest.
Okay. I know it sounds good on paper to create handmade gifts. But when it gets right down to it, the big question is what should you be making? There is actually a long list of handcrafts to make for Christmas. To get started, you just need a little information.
Before you grab your supplies, the first thing you need to do is to determine who you are creating for. That means making a list of each person you give a gift or gifts to.
For some folks, that means just immediate family members. Others want to do something special for a few friends. And you may also have a list of neighbors, teachers, pastors, or others you enjoy giving a ‘little something’.
On occasion, we are invited to a gift swap. This can be a ‘Dirty Santa’, an ornament exchange, or other similar type party. For these, we usually need something small.
When you make your list, segment it by those categories – family, neighbors, Dirty Santa, and so on. This will not only help you with your time, but also with your budget.
Now that you have your list ready, start with the first name on your list. Think about the person – their likes, hobbies, and interests. Consider what their favorite color is, the foods they like, and how they spend their time.
You also need to decide if you want to make them one single large gift, such as a quilt, or create several small items to put in a basket. For instance, if you’re good at sewing, you may want to make a Psalm 91 throw for a young child. You can also take this a step further and either make them a smaller throw for their doll, or by using the same fabric as in the blanket, you can create a few dresses for the doll. But keep in mind – everyone loves a good throw, so these work for all ages.
Once you determine the personalities of the person you are creating for, then start jotting down ideas of the handcrafts to make.
Even if you have a list, it is sometimes difficult to come up with ideas. Here is a list of items you can make to get those ideas flowing. Some of these ideas are great for beginners, and some a bit more advanced. Some of the small items can be used for many purposes – Dirty Santa, Gift Tags, Stocking Stuffers, items for a gift basket, and more. Consider your skill level and start jotting down ideas. When you choose what sounds good, the directions for many of these are on my website – just go to www.thefarmwife.com and search. I’ll also add some of the links in the show notes to get you started.
For those who enjoy sewing and embroidery, consider making:
- A Psalm 91 Throw (Sewing)
- Hand Embellished Bath Towels (Sewing)
- Handmade Throw Pillow (Sewing / Embroidery)
- Cloth Napkins (Sewing / Embroidery)
- Sewing Kits – remember we talked about stocking stuffers? These are perfect for that.
- Dish Towels (Embroidery)
- Rice Bags (Sewing / Embroidery)
- Potholders
For those who love crochet and knitting, think about:
- Hats (Crochet)
- Scarves (Knitting)
- Coasters these can be crocheted, but you can also make handwoven mug rugs. If you are interested in those, send me an email at thevirtualporch@gmail.com and I’ll be happy to send you a FREE ebook on how to make them. (And you don’t need a loom to make them – this ebook shows you how to make one instead!)
- Knitted or Crocheted Dish Cloths
- Knitted or Crocheted Dish Draining Mat
- Crocheted Pot Scrubbers. For the dish clothes, dish draining mat, and pot scrubbers, these are all perfect additions to a kitchen basket.
These are a few you can make within other crafts:
- A Barn Quilt is a fun gift, and needs woodworking and basic painting skills
- Cold or Hot press soap
- For the gardener consider making a Seed Tray, garden trellises, or garden row Markers, which woodworking skills are needed
- And Seed Packets, which are a paper and even possibly drawing or stamping craft.
- If you are wanting to create handmade gifts that focus on the Kitchen, look into making:
- Wooden Spoon Butter
- Cookie Trays
- Potholders
- Herb Mixes
- Soup or cookie mixes in a jar
- Cutting Boards
There are also many handcrafts you can make for Christmas that wouldn’t be considered a gift – although they would still be great gift ideas. These come in the form of kits (to use as gifts), gift tags, and even cording to use to wrap up your gift!
- Gift Tags can easily be made by hand. These can be made using scrap quilts, paper, embroidery, and more.
- You can knit or crochet Christmas Garland
- Handwoven Gift Cards and Place Cards are paper crafts
- You can also create a craft kit. For kits, many young girls, and even some of the boys, would enjoy making their own bracelets, which means you can give them a Bracelet Loom Kit. This includes the loom, thread, and buttons.
- You can also choose a different crafting medium and create a kit with the supplies and directions.
These are just a few ideas which will get you moving in the right direction. If you still need time to think, start with a small project, such as the pot scrubbers. These don’t take long at all to make and can be used as a stocking stuffer or addition to a gift basket.
The more you create, the more your mind may lead you to other ideas. You may even start to think of ways to personalize your gifts a bit more. But don’t let creating handmade gifts scare you. A handmade gift often becomes one of the most cherished items a person owns.
Here’s another idea for creating all these handmade gifts. Once you get started, you want to keep each project in order. To help with that, you can create boxes that hold each project, the supplies you need, and the directions. Then add a note in the box for who the gift is for.
Keep in mind, some supplies, such as knitting needles, cross over from one project to another. It’s best to store them in their usual place to make them easy to find. When it’s time to work on that project, check to see what size needles you need, grab them, and get started.
Store your boxes in an easy-to-access place. When you have some time to create, choose a box and get started. If you cannot finish the project in one sitting, place it back in the box when you finish for the day. This way, everything you have stays together.
Are you Inspired Yet? Then it’s time to get started. Grab yourself a cold glass of lemonade, a few cookies, and settle in to get your list started. Then you’re your supplies and get busy. Handmade gifts are the perfect way to keep out of the summer heat. And by the time fall gets here, you may just most -if not all- of the gifts on your Christmas list just waiting to be wrapped!
If you want to learn more about living a Simple Life, just visit my website at www.thefarmwife.com/ . If you’re enjoying listening to these podcasts, please support the show by clicking the SUPPORT button in the show notes. When you do, you’ll be helping me continue bringing you fun and helpful ideas for living the Simple Life you love!
If you have questions or just want to stop in for a visit, you can do that through email at thevirtualporch@gmail.com. And be sure to subscribe – you don’t want to miss a single conversation. I'll be sitting on the porch every Monday morning waiting for your visit!
Thanks again for stopping in. I will see you next week on Living a Simple Life with a Back Porch View. And while you are waiting for the next episode, grab that glass of refreshment, pull up a rocker, and sit back for a while. It’s time to relax and enjoy.
Links:
Psalm 91 Throw
Embellished Bath Towels
Barn Quilt
Coasters
Wooden Spoon Butter
