Holidays and the Need to Create the Stuffs

When I was a kid, my mom and grandma usually came up with some sort of handmade something for us to make and give as gifts. It was probably an ornament….. And to be fair, I still hang a few of those on the tree each year.

Some were soft, made from fabric and carefully stuffed but, this one time we made ornaments out of salt dough. That time was the best! They broke out all of the kitchen gadgets- we got to use the garlic press to make hair! Lol.

I think that same feeling of making comes over me each year. I want to make stuff for others to give and receive.

Because there is something special about receiving a handmade gift. 

There is time invested in those hand stitches, or tea-dyed papers. And heart as the color of fabrics are carefully selected.

Imperfections…. yes.

But love. 

All of this brings me to here. We are creeping closer to the holiday season. November is here.

How did I get here so quickly?

I was just thinking in September and October- I am going to make so much stuffs for the holidays.

But in reality. If I am truly making handmade stuffs…..

They take time.

And I can only speak for myself, but the faster I try to go- the slower things feel like they happen. 

The punch needle coaster’s yarn doesn’t want to stay in the cloth. I cut the bottom piece too big. I ran out of hand dyed papers and then cut the papers too small because I didn’t think I needed to measure. Lol. This list could go on and on.

But this is why handmade gifts are so special.

There are only a few.

And usually unique. 

Like one of one.

And the person receiving one of these handmade gifts knows there was time invested in the making. There is heart in the making.

I have made a Creative Gift Guide with art products I truly enjoy. Some shops I frequent and a few specialty items. Click the button below to grab your Gift Guide.

And, it isn’t just me who put together a Gift Guide for you……I am doing a handmade blog hop with Tiffany & DeeDee. You can find their holiday guide by clicking on each of their names. 

So if you are a makers out there….be gentle on yourself as we are heading into the holiday season. 

And if you are a maker, consider joining us for this year’s season of The Sharing Season. It is all about making handmade gifts. There will be a live portion- which is always a good time where the founders of The Ugly Art Club will walk you through creating their holiday projects and recorded lessons that you can watch at your leisure.

Don’t forget to grab your Creative Gift Guide with some curated favorites.

xo. kristin

Below are this year’s holiday projects that are included in The Sharing Season. You can find previous year’s Sharing Season on our website.

The Sharing Season 4