Monday, October 20th, 2008
Tell me I’m not alone. This time of year gives me the itch every year. I start thinking about crocheting and quilting and all the other lovely crafts I could make to give for Christmas gifts this year. It always happens at the end of October. The temperature drops, hot tea becomes a nightly ritual, we start watching movies again, I get the urge to bake bread, and then I start having visions splendid of homemade Christmas.
This year I have been forced to check myself. Between getting ready for a baby and (potentially) buying a house and moving, I think I have enough on my plate between now and the end of the year. All this chaos only reinforces the necessity of having a simple, frugal Christmas.
Personally, I think that the time between Halloween and New Years is the most expensive time of the year. There is always extra baking, holiday parties, gifts, travel, not to mention normal expenses like heating and winter clothes. While it’s probably too late to cross stitch Christmas stockings for all your kids, it’s not too late to plan a simple Christmas.
What do you have planned to cut back on Christmas spending and enjoy simple Holidays? What traditions will you revive this year to make a frugal Christmas even more meaningful? Do you have any ideas for quick and easy homemade gifts? Post your comments. I’m eager to hear.
Tags: Christmas, Frugal Living Month, holidays, homemade gifts
October 21st, 2008 at 3:22 pm
I think I might make personalized pillows for each of the nieces and nephews (4 total) kid-sized….just have to find a quick cross-stitch.
October 22nd, 2008 at 4:41 am
You might consider something quick like this project:
http://needlework.craftgossip.com/tutorial-pen-pal-pillow/2008/08/16/
It looks fairly quick. If you just can’t resist the holiday crafting urge.
October 27th, 2008 at 9:05 am
My frugal observation is - home made, crafty, does not necessarily translate into savings. I attended a jewelry making get-together with some friends this weekend. After seeing the tools required to really get into this and the quantity of beads and bobbles acquired by those who were into it, I decide that I didn’t need to clutter my life with one hobby. So — no one on my list is going to get handmade jewelry this year. Now, they might get something from the outlet store. It cost much less.
November 5th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
If you want fast easy crochet items that pack a lot of entertainment punch - AND do what they’re supposed to do! try crocheting everyone nosewarmer.htmlnose warmers!
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter02/PATT
I did, one year, and we laughed ourselves sore at each other trying them on. Then when we left everyone put them on for REAL when we hit the frigid night air.
I relate to your urge to start a bunch of unrealistic projects right about this time of year. What is up with that???
November 5th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Sorry - lopped off the end of that URL. Here’s the real one:
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter02/PATTnosewarmer.html