Christmas 2025
So in 2024 I made my family their Christmas gifts. I made Christmas crochet crowns.
I was nervous about this, but also determined. I had very little money and was fed up with trying to figure out what to get everyone and feeling the stress after realising we don't actually know each other that well and buying gifts people don't want is a waste of money.
So I figured, let's make something that people may or may not want lol.
It turns out that the crowns were a hit and my family found it hilarious and bewildering being asked to measure their heads for me.
Last year, I felt the thing to do was to make them all gifts again but by learning a new crafting skill. So I asked everyone what their favourite animals were. This was funny, the kids new exactly what their favourite animals were instantly shouting out...BUNNY! CHEETAH!...TARANTULA! The adults took so much longer to figure it out. For some reason they thought saying their favourite animal would reflect how people see them. Very interesting. I also enjoy watching them trying to guess what I'm going to do with these animals. I think some assumed because I draw that they were going to get a sketch or something.
However, I bought a book on whitling for beginners.
I learnt about what tools I needed, what type and size of wood and the techniques were necessary to get the desired affects.
I made animal Christmas tree decorations for everyone.
I also bought acrylic paints, beeswax, a little drill, ribbon, and kraft paper - of course kraft paper.
As I did the year before, I made all my own kraft boxes and bags and even little Christmas cards. I love doing this so much. I flick through Pinterest and find the type of bags and boxes I want and I find the tutorials on how to do them.
It's so satisfying and so therapeutic doing this every year and I think I'll continue to do it. I kind of wish everyone in my family would make things for each other, but that's probably a bit much to ask for.
It is such a joy watching everyone squirm a little when they try to figure out over the few months what it could possibly be (well the adults, not the children - the children are far too busy being children). Trying to keep it secret is a tough one for me because I love sharing my makes with my nearest and dearest but I've succeeded twice now. Both households try to open at the same time so they all experience the high or low together lol. I prefer that after keeping it quiet for so long.
I find November/December really difficult because that's when Dad died and so doing this helps me to cope. I don't really mind if people don't like or care about what I've made, they can give them away if they like to someone who might like them more. Hopefully they won't go in the bin, but I can't really do much about it if they do.
I don't mind if they stop buying me gifts either, my gift to myself is the joy of asking the family to get involved with my one question and then learning a new skill for a few months. I love researching and trying out new crafts. I now have a craft room and it's only going to get more bizarre each year I'm afraid.
Give it a go
If anyone else wanted to try this, the book I bought was
Whittling Flat Plane Animals by James Miller
Other bits I bought:
Wood carving starter kit
Finger protectors
Little wooden clamp
Acrylic tube paints
Acrylic paint pens
Basswood blocks
Lint-free cloths for applying the wax
Cloths for buffing the wax off
Beeswax
Jangklife Rotary tool kit
Small eyepin hook screws
Embrace the Joy of Creating
Go on - Find something you haven't tried before, and if not whittling, then consider exploring other forms of crafts or creative expression. Engaging in activities that involve making something by hand can be incredibly fulfilling. Whether it's crafting a piece of furniture, knitting a cozy scarf, or painting a picture, the process of creating something tangible can serve as a wonderful outlet for your emotions and creativity.
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