Christmas preparation in July
Over
the past couple of years I’ve started doing some initial planning for
Christmas in July, and this has helped me stay sane and get some sleep
in the lead-up to Christmas. Previously, without kick starting my
Christmas planning in July, at times December look a bit like this:
• I decide I want to handmake gifts for the kids’ teachers. I choose a simple craft item, which inevitably takes longer
to make than I anticipated. The kids are too tired to help (or I don’t
have the patience to let them help). For several nights I’m up until
after 11 pm finishing said craft items.
• I
frantically finish writing all the Christmas cards in the remaining
days before Christmas, crossing my fingers that they’ll make it to their
destination before the big day.
• I
make the dreaded trip to a large shopping centre along with more than
half of the population of Melbourne on the final Saturday before
Christmas to complete the present shopping.
Christmas: the where, when and who
My
parents and much of our extended family live in Mildura. For the past
10 years or so, we’ve alternated between spending Christmas in Mildura
or Melbourne. There are years, though, when — due to various
circumstances — this changes. Having babies, attending weddings and
availability of family all need to be considered when working out where
we’re going to spend Christmas. Determining where we’ll be and who’s
hosting Christmas in July gives me more time to meet my responsibilities
and get our family organised.
Choosing a theme for Christmas
A
recent addition to my Christmas preparation has been to choose a theme
for Christmas. I have friends who’ve been doing this for a number of
years and my friend Justine in particular showed me how well it can
work. For example, it:
• makes the decision-making process in relation to necessities such as cards, decorations and wrappings much easier
• simplifies the choice of Christmas accessories you make/buy for the house
• allows a simple and coordinated look for your Christmas celebrations
• can help guide the menu for the big day
• adds to the memory (‘It was the “gold” Christmas!’).
The
theme can be very simple, such as choosing colours (red and white), or
it can incorporate a motif such as birds or angels. I have friends who
choose a theme right after Christmas for the next one and take advantage
of the discounted prices on Christmas decorations. I don’t buy new
decorations every year as that would not fit in our budget, but I do
make simple, inexpensive decorations to go with the theme. For example,
if you choose a natural theme early in the year, when winter comes you
can start collecting things such as pine cones and acorns — free natural
materials that you can turn into decorations. You may like to consider
the themes described below for your next Christmas.
A natural look
• Use pine cones to make a wreath.
• Cinnamon sticks can be used as tree decorations.
• Try brown recycled paper and twine for gift-wrapping.
• Use dried branches decorated with baubles as a table centrepiece.
Red and white
• Buy a traditional, basic wreath and add red and white ribbons to it .
• Using red and white patterned paper, make doves to hang on the Christmas tree .
• Try combinations of red and white stripes and red and white dots for wrapping gifts.
• Fill white bowls with candy canes for table decorations.
Blue and silver
• Make a blue-and-silver bauble wreath .
• Make gorgeous glittery string baubles .
• Alternate blue and silver paper with silver and blue ribbon when wrapping gifts.
• Put floating candles into shallow blue bowls to use as table decorations.
Non-traditional bright colours (pink, blue, green, yellow, orange)
• A button wreath made from scraps of fabric is easy to put together with the kids .
• Make funky paper baubles for tree decorations .
• Plain, brightly coloured paper with thick clashing ribbon is great for wrapping gifts.
• Try tall glass vases filled with brightly coloured baubles as table decorations.
Handmade Christmas gifts
For me, there’s
something special about receiving a gift that someone has spent their
time creating especially for you. I’m not a great sewer or crafter, but I
do like to make simple things on my own and with the kids to give to
people for Christmas. My dear friend Cath, however, is very good at
craft, but not so much of a planner. Over the past couple of years we’ve
combined our skills to start making handmade gifts in the middle of the
year.
Cath
and I start with a planning meeting where we find ideas and choose a
number of them to make. We then meet every few weeks in the evening and
work on the projects
together. This is more for my benefit, so Cath can show me how it’s all
done. I also make simpler craft items with the kids. It’s great for
them to be involved in making the gifts they’ll be giving to their
teachers and other important people in their life. By the time November
comes we’ve handmade a pile of gifts for friends and family.
With
the proliferation of craft blogs on the internet, there’s no shortage
of ideas and inspiration for simple, handmade projects. Now if you’re
thinking, ‘I’m not craft-minded’ and plan to skip over the list, you
should know that if I can make these, anyone can! There is no sewing
required, and children can make most of the items with assistance.
Some handmade Christmas gift ideas include:
• fabric-covered notebooks
• bath salts
• fabric-covered stationery
• coasters
• hair ties
• chocolate sauce
• chalkboard notice boards
• tea for one
• cinnamon sticks
• rocky road gift packs.
