Look, I Made Christmas!



Gift-Making War Horse:  Pizzelle Press

I enjoy a stiff shot of materialistic Christmas. I love shopping for and giving gifts and I love getting them, too. In December, I need outdoor holiday lights punching through the winter darkness. I even like wrapping gifts with all that pretty, pretty paper. Some years, I totally indulge.

Other years, I indulge in a different way. I create the time and space to make gifts. I might spend a bit less money, but I give my time, effort and thought. And although I love getting gifts, period, getting a handmade gift is very special. At least some of the people on my list feel the same.


Felt Hand Puppets Made from Vintage Pattern by S. DeWilliam

Making gifts is fun if I don't bite off more than I can chew. I'm a freak for good design and stunning raw materials. I want to experience them from the inside out. I like the process—designing, planning, gathering, and then relaxing into the slow assembly line of making several versions of something. My dream job involves design, hands-on work, and a couple of other elements.

Want a few tips on how to make making things fun? Here's my take. It's not too late to make Christmas gifts this year if you keep it simple. I welcome your thoughts on making gifts!

Buy a special tool and exploit the heck out of it. Merry Christmas to you! You have a new toy and an inspiring new way to make gifts for your lucky loved ones. A few years ago I bought a pizzelle maker, and most years I spend a day or two churning out batches of pizzelles to give away. People seem to love them, especially, I think, because not everyone has the tool to make these lovely cookies. Maybe your tool of choice is a special drill, beading pliers, or a small silkscreen setup.



Kitty Paint-by-Number Outline

Learn a skill and exploit the heck out of it. Again, Merry Christmas to you! Buy a book, take a class, or teach yourself a new technique. Learn to can, knit neckties, or make panettone. I once took a one-evening class on how to make paint-by-number pet portraits from photos. It was a goofy evening with friends, and I could use this technique to make coloring books and paint-by-number paintings for gifts.



Last year a friend taught herself how to make marshmallows. They cost a fortune in specialty shops, and I don't let myself buy them. She made three flavors cut into huge two-inch pillows. They were melt-in-your-mouth delicious, and drop-dead gorgeous!



Neck Warmer Knit with Luxurious Yarn by J. Cory

Work with materials you love. Garbage in, garbage out. If you love ultra-fine merino yarn, knit with it. You'll be inspired to keep going. Don't even attempt to use synthetic yarn. It might seem cheaper, but it isn't if you don't finish what you're making. If you're adamant about organic food, make food gifts with organics. If you don't, it will haunt you just a bit.

Limit colors, ingredients, and styles to make a statement and save money. Choose or create one or two great designs or recipes and stick with them. That way, you can perfect your technique and bulk-buy raw materials. I also limit the color or flavor range. For example, if I'm knitting hats, I choose one style and a few colors. This eliminates buying multiple needles and ending up with a bag of yarn tidbits in a rainbow of colors.



Flannel, Linen and Cotton Baby Shoes,
 Made from Vintage Pattern

 Make stuff in front of the TV. Whether you're watching Christmas movies or crime shows, use your zone-out time to make gifts.

Jars, grocery store, kitchen. Done.  Things look fancy under glass, and you can make several jarred gifts, start to finish, on a single Saturday. Easiest: Fill a jar with flavored nuts, or alternating layers of various dried fruits, or your favorite homemade granola. You can also layer the dry ingredients of almost any recipe into a jar then attach the recipe.

Two of my favorite jar gifts are these spicy quick pickles made with carrots, and this simple body scrub. Seriously good stuff. Be sure to tell recipients how long jarred items last and where to store them. For the body scrub, let them know it makes their tub slippery!

Make one component of a gift. For a relaxed and personal variation on a gift basket, put together a few things, including one item that you made. A favorite: a bottle of booze, homemade flavored simple syrup, citrus, and a drink recipe.

I hope you have fun indulging, and indulging loved ones, this holiday season.