Hey fellow craft lovers,
I've been busy packing the advents, bulking up the holiday section of the shop, creating new content yet to be released, while also juggling my full-time job, my parental duties, kids activities, doctors visits, managing the calendar, planning my husband's birthday (of course, I forgot to buy candles for the cake 🤦🏼♀️), and then it hit me...
The realization that the Holidays are here. They're knocking at the door already, and as usual, I'm not ready.
Most of the Holiday shopping falls in the hands of women; the - sometimes fun, oftentimes burdensome - chores of creating memories: the perfectly wrapped presents under the tree, the overfilled stockings, the overzealous baking and the meal prep. This is often the time where we forget what we want, and focus on what needs to get done to make everyone happy.
Over the years, I've developed coping strategies to keep my sanity intact while still executing all the chores, and keeping some free time to knit, crochet, sew, or bake that batch of cookies my kids have been asking for. And I'm happy to share them with you here!
1- Preparation is key
Thanksgiving is not Thanksgiving. It's Holiday prep week. Use Thanksgiving to make a list of the people you wish to give gifts to. The list can be however long or short you want it to be. Seeing everyone at a gathering is a great way to remember who you like more than others 😉. And because everyone on the list you make is fresh in your mind, this is when you jolt down what could please them. Maybe they said something in conversation that could spark a gift idea? Did they just take on a new hobby? Are they struggling with something? Are there holes in their socks? Use your eyes and ears to make a potential gift list for each person on your list.
Be sure to add teachers, mailmen, and other nice people in your life to the gift list!
2- Take advantage of the sales
Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales are the perfect time to buy all your gifts. With your gift list in hand and a fully-charged computer - or a stroll to the nearest shopping mall - , dedicate a few hours to shopping for the people on your list now. Stick to a budget, do NOT go into debt to buy gifts.
Shopping now while the sale is on helps you save money, and also keeps you from overspending later down the road. If money is tight, consider baking in large batches or giving others handmade items (pull from your stash, because we all know handcrafting isn't cheap!). POV: One of my favorite gifts as a young adult was my sister's box of freshly-baked cookies.
Also, don't forget STOCKING STUFFERS. Plan for this, so your loved ones don't end up with whatever candy is left at your local Target's checkout lane on December 24th.
Then, checkout, checkout, checkout.
Pro Tip: Don't forget to add your own name to the list if you can. Self-care is important!
Another Pro Tip: Shop from small businesses if possible. It helps them tremendously, and they are grateful for each sale! Checkout what's in the holiday section of this store. For example, with money from the sale of Sierra and Pine products, I invest into more fun stuff for you, crafting materials for myself, or some extra swag for my kids!
3- First week of December is key
This is when everything that you've ordered gets delivered. Make sure that you're home that week to take in all the boxes coming in. Dedicate a chunk of time to gift wrap what you'll have received. The goal is to have everything you've ordered over the Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale wrapped and ready to gift. Cross all the gifts you've wrapped off your list. This should encompass 80%+ of all of your gift giving.
Well done!
Pro tip: Remember those gifts you ordered for yourself? Wrap them too. Ideally in similar-sized boxes in the same wrapping paper. Come unwrapping day, you won't remember what's in which box because you're wrapping them 3+ weeks ahead, so every present is gonna be a true gift from you, to you! You can thank me later 😉
Tip: Have you downloaded the free gift tags and free laundry care instructions? They're a lifesaver for hand-crafted gifts!
4- Time for reward
By then, it's not even December 12th, and you've done most, if not all, of your Holiday shopping. Reward yourself with a warm beverage and a crafting session. Plan for 3 hours, or more. Need inspiration? Check out my patterns in the shop or on Ravelry.
This is the best way to enjoy the Holidays!
5- Tie up loose ends
Between December 12th and December 18th, tie up every loose ends. A gift wasn't delivered? Order another one. You forgot someone on the list? Shop for them real quick. This is when you want to refer back to your list, and check it twice. It's always a good idea to order an extra gift basket or two, in case you forgot someone or something comes up. Worst case scenario is you end up enjoying it yourself.
6- Tis the season
It's now December 18th, and your holiday shopping is done. Treat yourself to another crafting session, go skating with your loved ones, or bake cookies to put you in the holiday spirit. Whatever suits your fancy! Create memories with your family, while watching others run around trying to get their shopping sorted on time.
You'll notice websites advertising shipping deadlines, and smile knowing you've accomplished everything with a week to spare and not feel an ounce of stress. You're welcome.
You realize you forgot someone on the list? Don't sweat it. It's only one person, one gift to buy. Pull from the extra gifts you've ordered, whip up a knitted hat real quick with the Super Duper Quick Hat Pattern, or get them a personalized gift, and go back to your crafting. That's the spirit!
This is also the time when you want to start a selfish project. Something that's just for you! Whether it's knitting, crochet, or any other activity you enjoy, crafting for yourself without pressure will help put you in the holiday spirit. And let's be honest here, you've earned it!
Happy Holidays!