For the past few years our family has scaled down on the stuff of the holidays and is trying to focus on relationships and giving more from the heart and less from the pocketbook.
It’s kinda “in” to be crafty and shop handmade these days. I love it. But it’s important to be intentional. Thrifty chic involves necessity. Just because it’s a good deal or it’s cheap doesn’t make it fit for you or your gift-getter. A heartfelt note or a mixed CD you burn on your computer will be worth more than a handmade gift someone can’t use.
Do something that is your thing- I am not going to take up soap making for the holidays just because it’s cheap and homemade. Do my recipients need a decorative bar of soap? Okay, actually maybe that is not a good example because almost everyone could use handmade soap! But you get the idea, right? I don’t sew, so no point in starting a project that involves sewing- I don’t have the skills. Be practical in your giving and delivery.
If it’s something you love to do, you’re more likely to finish what you start, and it will come from your heart.
Keep it simple.
In the coming weeks I’ll be sharing tips and thoughts about keeping it simple this holiday season. I hope you’ll join me!
I love this. Things have always been scaled back for us some, but this year I am being very intentional about all of it. Thinking of things that I want to make for people has been so much fun. My girls have been involved and I thought with them being older that they would be against it, but they seem to be really excited, you know as long I knit them the hats that they want :O)
Isn’t that so true in ALL shopping too?
Just because it’s a good deal/on sale/cheap doesn’t mean it’s necessary. I love the idea of Christmas shopping that way too!
Excited to see how your soap making goes. Have considered it before. I usually make calendars for my family and they adore them, apparently the one year i bought gifts…everyone was a little disappointed they didn’t get their calendars.
I literally have NO crafty bones in my entire body, unless you count the scarf/napkin that I knitted last year. I’m doing handmande Christmas this year by buying all of my presents on Etsy, from people that I love and admire. People I want to support this holiday season. And I may end up trying to knit something to completion, because I actually CAN knit…it’s just what it turns out to be that’s always up in the air
I agree! I have thought of a ton of ideas for making gifts but some of them I nixed because they were not really practical as gifts. So far my fav idea is making some handmade (felt, decor, glue gun) reusable cuffs for coffee to go cups to add with a coffee shop gift card. Also want to try some modge podge coaster for my sisters:) Best of luck to all! Oh and I second the ETSY thing! I’ll be doing a bit of that too!