Crafting for the Holidays

Crafting for the Holidays

 

Fabric piled high in one corner, yarn piled in a basket, soap making supplies spilling off the shelf and rubber stamps tower over you?  Is this similar to a scene in your crafting area?  Many of us purchase items to make gifts for others, yet not all of us give the gifts because we do not get around to making these special items.  NOW is the time to start planning what you want to make and who to make it for.  Do you make items for the holidays?  Many of us do and it is an area of discussion that needs to be addressed early on in the year. 

 

To help get a handle on your crafting for the holidays here are several steps to follow:

 

1. Examine your gift list and mark the people you think would appreciate your hand-made gifts from the heart.  Be honest with yourself about the people you mark – not everyone appreciates or values the time and dedication it takes to handcraft a gift.
2. This step is for those who have unfinished projects in your possession (if you do not have a stockpile of crafts or crafting supplies skip this step).  Now that you have been honest with yourself that you have many uncompleted craft projects you need to inventory your items.  As you go through your supplies use two boxes, in one put items you want to use and in the other one put items you do not want to use.  Take the 2^nd box to a senior center or school who could use the items – it will help clear out space in your house while serving a useful service for a group who could put them to good use.
3. Make a list of things you would like to make for the holidays.  If you have a copy of the Christmas Organizing Handbook utilize the craft planning sheets to record each craft you want to make.
4. Make a list of needed items to complete each craft.  Make a notation indicating which items you need to purchase and which you have on hand. 
5. On your Christmas Calendar select days to work on different crafts to ensure you have your gifts completed by the needed date. 
6. Be sure to select END dates for each craft that if you do not have them completed by you will reevaluate your gift giving possibilities for the person the craft was to go to.