Lifestyle

Handmade Christmas Gifts

I am not the most capable person at making things, crafting I do find tough. However, I am trying to improve! My children love crafts, and I am keen to encourage them. I like the idea that they are able to have basic sewing skills for example. This Christmas, we’re trying to have a more eco-friendly Christmas. In my view one of the easiest ways to do this is to make some of our gifts. I confess I am useless at knitting, I have tried many times! So, we’re sticking to sewing and general crafting.

The first thing we have been doing is using scraps of material to sew lavender bags – using dried lavender from our garden. The bags are so easy to sew, and we’ve tied them with ribbon collected from gifts received at previous Christmas or birthdays.

Lavender Bag, scissors and sewing box

As anyone who has read my blog before will know, I am a huge fan of charity shops. I have to say that I have stocked up my sewing supplies from local charity shops in recent weeks. Threads, needles and fabric oddments all turn up. My well loved, ancient sewing basket has never been so full!

A few months ago, I had the foresight to buy a quantity of costume jewellery sold bagged up as the charity shop just wanted to clear it. A huge bag cost £5, the photo is only a bit of the collection! I intend to break the jewellery up so we can remake items from them. I’m hoping the children will have a go at making beaded key rings. I want to make up some unique necklaces, but I’m not sure I will succeed in producing anything I would want to gift to anyone!

Large Bundle of old costume jewellery

I have an ongoing Christmas gift project, a blanket I’m making from old woollen jumpers. All of the jumpers I’m using were either moth eaten, worn very thin in obvious places, or mildly felted. I washed them all quite hot to felt them a little more, then cut out squares. I’m sewing by hand so it’s taking a little while, but it is slowly coming together, and I’m hoping that I finish it in time for Christmas! I need to decide how best to back it, which I need to research a little! The blanket is very rustic, but that is perfect for the recipient!

I’m really enjoying taking the time to make thoughtful gifts for Christmas this year. Do you like giving hand-made gifts at Christmas? Or is it something which fills you with dread?