Handmade Christmas
I have grand plans this Christmas. Grand plans, indeed. I want to make (or buy) handmade gifts for the people on my list. So far, I’m still in the planning stages. I have finished a few small projects, and I have yet to tackle the big ones. But I am feeling inspired, let me tell you.
I like the idea of giving gifts that I’ve made because it feels meaningful. If I give you a jar of jam, a knitted hat or a blanket I’ve made, you know that a lot of effort went into that gift. I didn’t pick it up off the shelf as an afterthought as I rushed around the mall. I did some planning and put in the work. And if my children put in some of the work, too? All the more special, I say.
(These are not actual holiday gifts. They are just examples of what the holiday gifts could look like. I wish I were this far along, but I’m not, plus I don’t want to ruin the surprise.)
It remains to be seen how successful my plan will be. For now, I’m feeling optimistic. But just know, that if you do end up receiving something that was plucked off a store shelf at the last minute it’s not because I don’t love you. It’s because my $#@&%! sewing machine broke and / or my list was frankly unrealistic in the first place. I might even need some of you to talk me down before I take a sledgehammer to my craft table. Not that I would ever become completely obsessed and deranged by crafting, but, you know, I hear that some people do.
So, does anyone else have any handmade holiday plans? Please share! And if this is your kind of thing, you might want to sign up for the fabulous Crunchy Chicken’s Buy Hand for the Holidays Challenge.
Also, I wanted to let you know that I am moving web hosts this weekend. This may explain any weirdness you see over Saturday and Sunday. Any intercessions on my behalf with the technology deities are much appreciated. 
Good luck with both the crafts and the hosting.
I’m planning to make soft felt ornaments for the Christmas tree, so that I can be less stressed about the children breaking all my glass ornaments. I’ve bought the felt and searched up some patterns, but not cut a single one yet! I’m sure we’ll get to it soon . . .
Lady M´s last post ..Grateful 
I’m hoping to do lots of handmade this year. I saw a cute sewn alphabet magnet set the other day and can’t wait to get my machine working so I can sew up a few sets for the kids. The adults though, I’m lost at what to make.
Summer´s last post ..The Rest of the Story…
Does Hannah always wear a name tag when you do crafts together at home? (sorry I couldn’t resist)
I’m doing homemade gifts this year too. But I’m getting other people to make them! I tend to find myself on Etsy a lot and checking out the Saturday Farmer’s Markets and craft fairs. The good ones have some steals!
Melodie´s last post ..Let’s All Celebrate By Buying A New Bra!
We are making a lot of our gifts, too. My husband and I are working on them together and we’re both excited about it. We don’t have a lot of money to spend on Christmas, so for us, making gifts is also a way to give people something a little better than they’d get if we just went to the mall. We aren’t all that skilled in any specific way, though, so sometimes it’s hard to think of what to make.
Jenny´s last post ..Options
Great minds must think alike! This year I am making scaf, mit, hat sets for some. I am quilting some Christmas things (tree skirt, table runner, place mats) and I am knitting some dishclothes for others. The food I haven’t figured out yet…but baking, perservs and bread goods are already on my lists of ‘to get together’. Now, I just have to figure out who gets what. May the crafting force be with you!
Heather´s last post ..A Village Night Out
I’m doing a good portion of my gifts handmade this year, at least! I’m making four of them, and I bought at least three from Etsy. The rest are store-bought, though. Still, not bad, no?
Emily´s last post ..oooh, burn
i’m making handmade gifts for other people to give which in translation means i don’t have the time to make my own family anything handmade (but i will personally ensure the tree is decorated)
… and my mother politely informed me that she doesn’t want anymore of my jewelry anyway! she will receive a plastic blinged hello kitty item this year
PS: wee guy always wears a name tag when crafting at home – i do believe it is good parenting to instill a sense of identity in the very young (and it stops him from being packed away with the glue etc at the end of the session)
pomomama aka ebbandflo´s last post ..blackstone and sterling cufflinks
good post, i love the look of that bread, homemade bread always makes my mouth water, cute child photos as well.
I think that’s a wonderful goal, and even if you only get half of your list done this way, you’ll be making a big difference!
We actually make pretty much everything for our kids, but, ahem, Santa does bring each boy one thing that they really want (LEGOS are hard to knit– I’ve tried!) each year, and of course there’s the family who thinks it’s funny to give our kids the most obnoxious loud, plastic toys that are available– preferably with batteries that never die, and no off-switches!
Michelle´s last post ..An Earthy Crafty Thanksgiving!
[...] Going handmade – This year I am making some of the gifts I will be giving. Many of the items I don’t make I am buying on Etsy. These gifts haven’t been shipped from a large factory overseas. Not only do they have a smaller carbon footprint than a mass-produced item, but they’re one-of-kind gifts with heart. [...]
[...] in November I shared my grand plans for a handmade Christmas. Sadly, for quite some time I remained in the planning stage, not doing much more than telling [...]
i am trying to do handmade and/or etsy. we shall see if i pull it off. right now i am the most freaked out by my decision to try to make each kid a doll from a kit. what was i thinking? help me help me!!!
robin´s last post ..some recent thoughts on parenting