I love to give homemade gifts for Christmas. I devote the last part of the year to being creative. I don’t know if you can schedule creativity, but necessity breeds invention.
The first thing I do is really think about the person. What do they need? What do they like? The last thing I worry about is what I know how to do. This might seem backwards to some people, but I do not want to limit myself. I can always learn a new skill.
Once I decide on a gift, then I purchase or find all the required elements. Then I begin researching different methods for making the gift. Knowing that my twenty-one month old nephew will most likely not be reading this article, I am going to use his gift as an example.
I made him a fleece blanket. I found the cutest cowboy print fleece at JoAnns. I purchased a yard and a half of the material. I have tied two pieces of fleece together many times to make baby blankets, but I wanted to do something different for my nephew.
I began researching different kinds of fringe on fleece blankets. For those who don’t know, fleece creates many no-sew projects because the edges do not unravel or fray. You can simply cut fringe and your blanket is complete.
While I am researching creative ideas, I almost always end up on YouTube. There are both professionally-made and amatuer videos to watch on seemingly every topic. One video caught my eye. It was a crochet-edged fleece blanket. Do I know how to crochet? No, but no worries. I can learn.
I watched the video and I was convinced that this is how I wanted to make the blanket. I began working on the blanket yesterday evening. Before I went to bed, the crochet-edging was complete. All I have to do now is embroider my nephew’s name on the blanket.
Not only do I have an awesome, hand-made gift to give my nephew, but I spent just under $10.00 on it. I also have learned an invaluable skill- how to crochet. So really it is also a gift I gave myself.
This is an economical time to be creative. With Christmas twenty-three days away, you have time to channel your creativity into homemade gifts for your family and friends. Armed with a YouTube education and a will, I have no doubt that you will surprise the recipients of your gifts, but yourself as well. Get those creative juices flowing!
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Wonderful day to you, I always study your blog and i am one of your fan. I love the way you talk to your reader as if they’re your friend.
Thanks Ronnie. One of my goals in writing this blog is to create a relationship with my readers. I want my readers to feel comfortable enough to come back for more.