Craft for Christmas
The secret to making your own Christmas decorations is PLANNING. It takes time to find the materials, cut, fold, glue and paint and finally hang the finished decorations, so start early…
January
Once all the partying is over its time to clear up and sort out. Real trees, wrapping paper and cards can be recycled these days, but before you bag up the rubbish to take to the recycling bins check for any attached bits and pieces and pictures you can use for next year’s home-made creations.
Many people decorate their presents with bows, bells, pompoms and other ornaments. Cut these off and save to use on cards and decorations. You can cut out trees, bells, angels etc from Christmas cards to cover boxes, stick on cards and make present labels.
February
Check out the bargains. Shops often have post Christmas sales on to get rid of old stock so you may pick up craft items at a fraction of the usual price.
March
A time of reflection and also looking forward.
Its time to scan your list of friends, family and colleagues and decide who will appreciate a personalised hand-made creation next year, maybe a card or a present or perhaps both if you have the time and inclination. Write a list and add present ideas to remind you. Its never too early to start collecting bits and pieces that you may need and if you see something that may be useful to make auntie Flows collage when you’re browsing the local shops or the internet you can tick that item off your list
April
Spring is on its way but there are still plenty of
May
This month is good for collecting pine cones if you live in the UK. There are so many varieties and all can be used to make tree decorations, wreaths, pot pouri, cone animals and many other things. Remember it is legal to pick them up from the ground but not to take them off the tree.
June
Time to prepare. Christmas may seem like a long way off but depending on how many cards and presents you are making, now is the time to start.
Check your list and see what items you have stashed away and decide what you need to buy. You may be going on holiday to a place where you can buy decorative items you can’t easily get in your country or you may be a fan of car boot sales and fetes where you can also pick up bits and pieces.
July
The summer holidays are here. Take lots of photos of friends and family, places you visit, birds and animals you come across and beautiful landscapes. All may be useful when looking for pictures for your creations.
August
A great month to collect petals from the blooms in your garden and dry them to make pot pourri. Just lay the petals out on kitchen paper and leave on a windowsill or hard surface to dry. In warmer weather the petals will dry in a week or so. Once dry you can fragrance the petals by putting them in a bag and adding herbs and a few drops of essential oil. Shake all together. Spices can be used instead of herbs to give a Christmas aroma.
September
Time to get busy
October
The shops are starting to put out their Christmas merchadise so get in early
November
Next month is fast approaching and it will be busy! Now is the time to finish off the cards and presents and to check you haven’t forgotten anyone on the present list. Make your tags to go on the parcels and post any overseas presents.
December
The party invitations start to roll in and time will be limited as you prepare for the holidays, family visits and sleepovers so its time to wrap everything securely before posting or delivering. Some people like to take pictures of their hand made presents before wrapping them as it’s a reminder of your talents in creating such lovely gifts. Be proud of your creations and share the pictures with us.
All done? Put your feet up, relax and enjoy unwrapping the hand made surprises someone else has taken the time to make for you.
The secret to making your own Christmas decorations is PLANNING. It takes time to find the materials, cut, fold, glue and paint and finally hang the finished decorations, so start early…
January
Once all the partying is over its time to clear up and sort out. Real trees, wrapping paper and cards can be recycled these days, but before you bag up the rubbish to take to the recycling bins check for any attached bits and pieces and pictures you can use for next year’s home-made creations.
Many people decorate their presents with bows, bells, pompoms and other ornaments. Cut these off and save to use on cards and decorations. You can cut out trees, bells, angels etc from Christmas cards to cover boxes, stick on cards and make present labels.
February
Check out the bargains. Shops often have post Christmas sales on to get rid of old stock so you may pick up craft items at a fraction of the usual price.
March
A time of reflection and also looking forward.
Its time to scan your list of friends, family and colleagues and decide who will appreciate a personalised hand-made creation next year, maybe a card or a present or perhaps both if you have the time and inclination. Write a list and add present ideas to remind you. Its never too early to start collecting bits and pieces that you may need and if you see something that may be useful to make auntie Flows collage when you’re browsing the local shops or the internet you can tick that item off your list
April
Spring is on its way but there are still plenty of
May
This month is good for collecting pine cones if you live in the UK. There are so many varieties and all can be used to make tree decorations, wreaths, pot pouri, cone animals and many other things. Remember it is legal to pick them up from the ground but not to take them off the tree.
June
Time to prepare. Christmas may seem like a long way off but depending on how many cards and presents you are making, now is the time to start.
Check your list and see what items you have stashed away and decide what you need to buy. You may be going on holiday to a place where you can buy decorative items you can’t easily get in your country or you may be a fan of car boot sales and fetes where you can also pick up bits and pieces.
July
The summer holidays are here. Take lots of photos of friends and family, places you visit, birds and animals you come across and beautiful landscapes. All may be useful when looking for pictures for your creations.
August
A great month to collect petals from the blooms in your garden and dry them to make pot pourri. Just lay the petals out on kitchen paper and leave on a windowsill or hard surface to dry. In warmer weather the petals will dry in a week or so. Once dry you can fragrance the petals by putting them in a bag and adding herbs and a few drops of essential oil. Shake all together. Spices can be used instead of herbs to give a Christmas aroma.
September
Time to get busy
October
The shops are starting to put out their Christmas merchadise so get in early
November
Next month is fast approaching and it will be busy! Now is the time to finish off the cards and presents and to check you haven’t forgotten anyone on the present list. Make your tags to go on the parcels and post any overseas presents.
December
The party invitations start to roll in and time will be limited as you prepare for the holidays, family visits and sleepovers so its time to wrap everything securely before posting or delivering. Some people like to take pictures of their hand made presents before wrapping them as it’s a reminder of your talents in creating such lovely gifts. Be proud of your creations and share the pictures with us.
All done? Put your feet up, relax and enjoy unwrapping the hand made surprises someone else has taken the time to make for you.
