I have a confession.
A couple of weeks ago I turned on my instrumental Christmas playlist on Spotify for the first time.
In the middle of September.
Admittedly, this is early. Way early. But it made a stressful moment a little more peaceful and anything that brings a little calm to the crazy is a good thing in my book.
It’s almost footie pajamas season!
As soon as there is a dip in the temperatures, I start thinking about Christmas. Mentally planning the season to a soundtrack of music that makes my heart light and quickly floods my mind with sweet memories. Because while the day itself passes quickly, the months of anticipation are some of the best parts.
For my family, the Christmas seasons starts with trimming the tree, lighting advent candles, and hanging ornaments on a Jesse tree. For me, though, the season starts with planning special food, thinking of where the family will gather, and giving special thought to each gift for our loved ones.
Last year was the year of the watercolor.
Like so many other families, we have been pressed into finding creative and frugal ideas for gift giving each year. As the Nester has termed it, the “lovely limitations” have been blessings after all. Because we cannot afford to go out and buy heaps of presents for everyone we wish, each gift that we do give has been carefully selected with much thought to the recipient.
And that is what I love about handmade gifts. Gifts made by the giver are gifts of time, intention, and special regard.
It’s still early for most, but have you thought about what kinds of gifts you want to bless your loved ones with this year? Don’t write off handmade gifts just because your sewing machine is covered in a thick layer of dust or because you burn more cookies than you frost. There are options for every talent and skill-level. There are also wonderfully creative artisans who would love to help you tuck away handmade wares under your Christmas tree.
I hope you will follow along and check out the next thirty-one days as I share tutorials, recipes, round-ups, and more! Visit the series page and look at what is coming up.
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[…] Turn on Christmas music (I know, I know. But this year I have a good reason). […]