Love in the home

Christmas mood

23 Feb 2010 Leave a Comment

by loveinthehome in Crafts, Planning Tags: Christmas, gifts, handmade

I’m sure that it’s different for everyone but I can’t be creative on a deadline. I just shut down. I need to ruminate on an idea for a while and then have plenty of time to make the gift without feeling pressured. So I’m starting my Christmas gifts in February. Excessively ahead of schedule maybe but it works for me.

I found a great idea for the ladies in my family a couple of weeks ago. A couple of days ago, I realized that I had the perfect fabric combination. So from cutting them out Sunday to putting them together today, I made 30 gifts. I’ll keep one for myself and have plenty for my family, my husband’s family and some of the ladies from church. I’m just tickled to bits over them. It makes you feel wealthier because I didn’t give 29 gifts last year and this is just the beginning. I have a whole bunch of ideas ruminating.

I wish I could show you pics but since I know a few of the recipients will read this blog, I’ll have to wait. I just need to have the presence of mind to take pics before I wrap them.

Some ideas for preparing for Christmas.
1) Make a list of recipients
2) Brainstorm ideas
3) Try to use some of what you have already in your craft stash. Use your savings to give charitably at Christmas time instead of spending it at the mall. My, how the blessings increase!
4) Come up with themes. All the ladies are getting the same handmade item which makes it super simple to cut all of the fabric at the same time, iron all at the same time, and sew all at the same time. I have two gifts that I’m planning for all the children. One is a chef’s hat. The fabrics may vary but by using the same pattern, I can whip those out pretty quickly. And by making multiples of similar items, you become more efficient at making them so the fifth one comes together more quickly than the first. Also, you have plenty of patterns left for future birthdays and Christmases.
5) Make some special gift tags. I’m still ruminating on this one but I think I’ll include a verse on one side and “Handmade with Love from Christy” on the other. I was thinking about printing them out on the computer but since I’m getting such a head start, I might try to write it with a calligraphy pen.
6) Keep an eye and ear out for special interest of the people closest to you. Keep a list in your day planner. This will help you make a decision when you come across a cute fabric, yarn or pattern. If you have someone in mind to use that for, you run less chance of that item sitting for years in your craft stash.

Well I better chill on the Christmas mood for just a bit. I have three little boys that are having birthdays in the next two months. Before I get too carried away, I better finish up their gifts.

I also need to come up with a jim-dandy spacious hiding place for all my Christmas goodies. I want them to stay clean and hidden til December. So much fun to think of Christmas all year. It’s my favorite time of the year!