Christmas is around the corner - 59 days exactly! Here's the official countdown.
Wouldn't you know it, I even googled and found Santa Claus' own blog! If the kids aren't listening, sit them by the PC and have them check up Santa Claus!!
I have my own two personal Kitty Claws helping me with Christmas already and boy they are big helps.. NOT! When I'm busy crafting, they're right in my way helping me. Bless their heart, they just want to assist but sneak off with a craft or two to play with!
I have started on Christmas shopping much earlier this year due to financial burdens. I have to admit that this year has been really hard on everyone, not just us but everyone around us financially. Chris and I have decided to do personalised Christmas gifts.
Our families will be receiving personalised gifts as well as store bought. We prefer crafting because that's where the love goes into. We have two more gifts to buy (clothes) and we are all set! It's really interesting to see people at the store buying Halloween decorations when I just can't wait to get out the Christmas decorations! Hubby told me, more like warned me, that he will toss out the Christmas decorations if I put them out before Halloween is over.
It's a tradition in my family that Christmas decorations are up by Nov 1st. Yes, I know it's really early but we just love Christmas very much. Chris and I, being Christians, we firmly believe Christ should be celebrated everyday, not at Christmas time.
(Hubby next to me is griping like Mr Grinch because I'm acting like an immature little girl, ROFL!)
Christmas cooking can be a beautiful time for the family to share. I do grab this time of the year I admit when I see my nieces and nephews. I just grab each and every opportunity I had and have with them. I would do just about any crafting or cooking opportunities with my special nieces and nephews. It was about making memories and creating new memories as well.
Christmas isn't supposed to be about rushing to grab the newest gadgets or fads. It's supposed to be about creating memories, getting together with families, friends and loved ones. Here's a link for easy recipes for children - enjoy!
Christmas crafting doesn't have to be costly. I prefer saving my money when it comes to crafting and you can be very surprised at how easy and cheap beautiful gifts can be when you find things around the house can be transformed into wonderful gifts.
If you have old tshirts laying around, flannel shirts or old pieces of clothing children have outgrown or damaged. Use those and cut them up into long strips. Here in Canada, we use Dollarama. In USA, it is called Dollar Tree. You will find boxes of string lights that are only for a dollar. Grab boxes of those!! You can find them during Halloween times as well, orange string lights. I grabbed several boxes of those at Dollarama (orange string lights and made beautiful festive Thanksgiving lights)
Dollarama and Dollar Tree will carry white or multi coloured string lights. When you cut the long strips of fabric, be sure to tie the strings on the wire. They make beautiful gifts that children can give to their parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles or teachers. It's such a wonderful sense of accomplishment that children can have and feel knowing they made the gifts themselves.
I posted this picture in my last post and you can see what I mean by the string lights.
This kind of craft is wonderful for multi-dexterity as well, it teaches how to use both hands, use their fingers and it is a wonderful lesson in patience, persistence and perseverance. My favourite 3 P's!
Do take care dear ones and I will keep in touch. The cluster migraines have been keeping me away from blogging. Check for me in the next day or two and I have so much to talk about!
Tactile smile with lots of love,
Patty oxox'ies!
