Ok so every year I seem to do a post about hand made Christmas.
I want to make something Very Clear this year.
I Start Early and I Look like I'm CRAZY!
(at least for 1/2 the year)
My husband tolerates the lists and the timelines and
the fact that I almost take over Christmas all together most years.
(he's a good man and doesn't cry too often!)
His only complaint most years is that he simply wishes
my Christmas eagerness didn't make him feel bad
that he usually shops for me (and occasionally the kids)
the week of Christmas.
He is an amazing husband and I love how we can work together,
on most things anyway!
This year I confess I took Christmas presents completely on myself.
(for the most part - we had some surprises
but I'll post about that later!)
Here is why, he has a new job which we love due to
scheduling and stability and low stress level.
Except that around Christmas his load is doubled and there is plenty of
overtime up for grabs due to high volume.
We didn't feel like we can turn down any overtime that was offered
to him and instead see it as a major blessing.
(aka paying off our Mastercard completely by the end of December.
It had flights and moving expenses still sitting on it from the summer!!)
Because of that through most of the month of December he was
at work at 5am or before that and home at 6pm.
Frigid days and body clock adjustments meant there were a
few days in December he was in bed by 8:30pm.
So when the time came to discuss Christmas it was more of a
relief to him than a problem that I had gathered ideas and some supplies
since late august to create or simply gift items for family.
(Suggestions for him as to what to get me - that was the hard part)
Another reason that I systematically took over Christmas was
because our house is a constant holiday from the beginning of
October till the middle of January - You heard me a constant party.
(I'm sure you get the idea from my posts this year but just in case!)
It all begins with General Conference - which with little kids takes
some prep and I like to get them excited to listen to
the prophet and learn as a family.
Right after that is Thanksgiving which is a fun time at our house.
I try really hard to make it about more than food and even about
more than family, there is service, and countdowns, and turkey posters,
and all kinds of things to help them feel more grateful.
For me the Super Dinner just doesn't speak gratitude any more.
When Thanksgiving is over then there is Halloween which we also
take time to make special at our house.
I just posted about it so I'll spare the details!
Then there are two birthdays in November, which I confess that
I have had years so focused on Christmas that Ms. E's birthday presents
were thought up/sewn up the night before.
And we try to do more than school assemply for Rememberance day,
Soon I'll post more about that. The more family history I get into
the more important this day becomes to our family!
Whew are you tire yet?
I am and we still have the whole month of December.
Which for most families is one long drawn out party!
Then we have a fun night/day for New years at the end of the month
and not long after that is Ms. A's birthday.
(which I am loving the plan for this year but I'll post more
after her actual birthday - See I'm always thinking ahead!)
So with all this going on how do we even get any
handmade Christmas done at all?
Like I said I start early and I look/act a little crazy.
For me it works because I have a plan and can divide up
or spread out the heavy/intense projects over months and
I'm not adding to Christmas stress.
(at least in theory)
For instance this summer on an unexpected trip to the states,
I super splurged and bought coordinating fabrics for a quilt I knew
I wanted to make for my brother and sister in law!
See Here's where I start looking a little crazy.
Here it is all finished and it was Gorgeous!!
They Loved it and that was the most important part!
I confess that Quilts also give me an excuse to spend the day
with these lovely ladies!
Shane asked me this year why I wanted to go to the trouble
of transporting it all, in the end the best answer is . . .
it is just more fun to sit with my sister and my mom
and plow through a quilt than to tackle it all on my own.
And so much faster!!
Next up was sewing for my brothers twin girls.
These are ridiculously easy and SUPER Cute!
Get Dirty Smocks.
Ms. A was receiving a plethora of Barbie STUFF this year
so I confess I reused an old toy bag I had sewn another time
slapped some hot pink letters on and viola a place
to keep the new dolls!
This was a clutch for Auntie Deonie,
I can see all the flaws in it even from here but the shimmery blue bow
was a perfect hit and she confided in me that she was even
going tango dancing for new years with friends
and now she had a new clutch to take with her!
(I love knowing things will get used!)
This fancy little apron was for Grandma Cathy!
Reversible to suit her mood.
These Jars I made for the men and I have to say I heard comments
about them throughout most of Christmas.
My favorite being that it was one gift that was actually a surprise
for a particularly hard to buy for brother in law!
(again it is so AWESOME knowing someone is
actually going to use what you spend weeks
and sometimes months thinking about!)
Now the next two projects I did just for me.
This is a monster afghan that I have been working on literally since I was 13.
Not even lying.
It has been taken apart and deconstructed so many times.
This year I decided It was going to be the end.
I was going to finish the thing or take the yarn to
someone who appreciates it
and could make it into something super beautiful!
And this is an attempt to put less holes in the walls
to hang stockings which looked awesome once there
was hooks and real stockings hung.
I even attached an extra hook for the new baby for next year.
(look at me thinking ahead again!)
I admit there is a super satisfied part of me when I look at
all these beautiful pictures, not in a self-satisfied "I did that" kind of way.
Instead it is satisfaction that I did my best and everything I created this year
was appreciated and useful.
More about that coming up in the Super Picture Heavy Christmas post!
