handmade holidays. or not.

It's a quick Sunday night post with no pictures because, well, I didn't take any. 

For the last few years I've been a pretty big stickler on making Christmas gifts. Many things have been made over the years - pillows and bags, sweater vests, hats, quilts, potholders, napkins, dolls and stuffed animals. It has largely been a lot of fun. I'm glad that I make nearly all of my gifts - both for Christmas and for birthdays, but I don't think I'm doing so much of it this year. And I'm feeling a bit guilty about it, which is very silly. 

I'm still going to buy handmade this year at Crafty Wonderland, from creative friends with small businesses, and if not handmade then from local independent shops. I think this year I'll give my family the gift of my sanity. I'll spend a bit more, but not much, given the cost of supplies and my time. Frankly, this year, I think I can do more good by spending money locally and with small business people who are struggling to make ends meet in this economic climate. I know they can't compete with Black Friday sales and deep discounts by huge retailers. I'd rather put my money into the pockets of that I know and talk to and see as I go about my days. I feel good about being able to do that.

I still have a few handmade gifts that have been in the works for a while, but I think I can do that without becoming a crazy person who sews until 2AM every night. I can relax and enjoy making those things. I can have time to make new stockings that all match and Christmas Tree Pants for my trees. We'll bake cookies. We'll hang out by the fire and read stories while drinking hot chocolate. I'll sneak in some crochet and knitting on quiet evenings. It'll all work out and all get done. 

I feel like a big load has been lifted this year. I need a break (especially with that very busy 60 minute napping toddler). How about you? How are you tackling Christmas gifts this year. What do you have planned?

p.s. I would like to state for the record that I planned ahead for stuffing the Advent calendar this year for the first time ever. Maybe there's hope for me yet.  

Comments

[Erin]

making one, maybe two gifts. buying everything else. i decided a couple of years ago that this was the best way for me. xo.

[Mousy Brown]

This is exactly the same for me...my Husband asked why I was putting myself under so much pressure and I realised that something I had always done for fun had somehow lost its way...I am still making some, I have also thrifted lots and bought from friends and small makers, most of all we are just going for less and I think that will be good for all of us. Now my plans for making are manageable and I know what I do make I will have enjoyed...wow that feels good! :D

[Heather]

I started earlier this year, so I am hoping that helps my sanity. I wanted to make each of the kids a sweater. two down, one to go. The rest is made by others or LEGO and I also am okay with that.

[Jo @ a life in lists]

I am making gifts for my kids, but other than that the closest I'm coming to handmade gifts is a Christmas cake for our family gathering. I find that most people just don't appreciate the time and energy involved in handmade, and at least if they don't like what they get when it's shop bought, they can exchange it!

[speattle]

I'm not putting the pressure on myself to make every gift. A few will be hand sewn, knitted, whatever, but not every.

Honestly, I don't do the whole black Friday deal. Just can't put up with the crowds and there is not a big screen TV or other electronic device out there so wonderful that it is worth the risk of being trampled or pepper sprayed by other shoppers.

In our family, we have never given huge over the top types of gifts anyway, so no one is going to expect to find the latest computer or cell phone under the tree.

We eat pretty regularly at several locally owned restaurants where we have gotten to know the owners. One of my husband's favorite gifts is to get gift certificates to these places. He like them so that he can take his family out to eat and also it supports these small locally owned businesses in our community.

[Amber from Berlinswhimsy]

I'm with you! Though I had ambitious plans of starting my gift making early, life happened in the meantime. Now, it's nearly December and I don't have much of anything done... And frankly, the family members that would really enjoy my handmade gifts will enjoy them any time of the year (especially if it means I won't be stressing out during the holidays). No one around here likes frenzied Mom!

I'm giving myself a little slack this year and it feels good!! I might make a few things, but I don't feel like I *have* to. *Sigh of relief.*

[Sarah Jackson]

I feel so much lighter (as will my wallet).

[Grace]

I'm so proud of on the Advent calendar.

I have some fairly ambitious knitting plans that I need to prioritize. But I think that will be it. My siblings and I are not exchanging gifts. Our mom is working Christmas this year and is hosting a big Christmas party instead of an intimate family thing, so we all opted to take a year off, which made sense since my youngest sister and I are both having hard years with finances and my brother just got married and has a wedding to pay off.

We drew two names at my husband's family and I don't know what we'll do for them. Sigh.