As painful as it is to admit, you should always try to plan Christmas as early as possible. Every year, I fall into the same trap and have to rush my Christmas shopping. Why is it that we blink and the year disappears? This year, after everything we have been through, I plan on taking it easy, even if it means planning months in advance. And having all this time to prepare means I can create the customised Christmas of my dreams.
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Stick their name on it
One of the best things about creating your own Christmas collection is being able to customise it with their names. Using christmas fonts and Cricut Maker Machine, you can label everything imaginable! If you happen to have a sewing machine that can be programmed, you could make and customise your own stockings, sweaters, the possibilities are endless! This is particularly great for people who have unusual names. My name isn’t unusual but it can be hard to find items with the correct spelling of ‘Lindsay’ on them. Even as an adult, I get excited about finding something with my name on it.
Locally sourced goodies
As delightful as it buying gifts for everyone for big stores, do you ever feel that they lack that little something? You can’t put your finger on it but the present doesn’t seem just right. Maybe you need to start shopping local. And I’m not talking about local shops, I mean local creators too. Farmers markets and craft fairs are a great way to discover smaller businesses that might fly under your radar. By using smaller businesses, you can guarantee that you will find something more unique and suitable. There is something wonderful about using local creators and shops, so don’t be afraid to get out there and explore the businesses on your doorstep.
Start planning early
I know it’s awfully cliche, but Christmas seems to start earlier every year. And for good reason. In order to have a fully customised and stress-free time, you have to start early. June might seem a bit extreme, but just remember that it takes at least 6 weeks to make a Christmas pudding. (ideally, it should be made months in advance). So keep this in mind if anyone tells you that you are crazy for starting so early. Also, by starting early, you can spread the cost too. This will help take some of the financial strain away from the season. This is definitely necessary if you are creating customised Christmas gifts for your friends and family. The last thing you need is to be stuck making your gifts on Christmas Eve. Santa would be cross!
Creating a customised Christmas for your friends and family is a great way to flex your crafting skills and give them something that they will treasure for years to come. Because it’s not about the stuff we buy, it’s about the memories that we make with the people that we love. So start planning that love early this year.