Handmade Gift Ideas for the Holidays

Handmade Gifts for the Holidays ~ Update

So, it is getting toward the end of November, on the very cusp of the Holidays. Back in the end of September (while it was warm & sunny ~ unlike now, when we have measurable snow in the weekend forecast), I wrote a blog post talking about making handmade holiday gifts. You can read that post here.

In that post, I laid out some goals for myself. So, I wanted to give you an update on accomplishing them. Sadly, I haven’t met all of them … yet. There, of course, is still plenty of time ~ it’s not even Thanksgiving yet. The perfectionist in me wanted everything to be done super early, but that perfectionist won’t be getting her way this year 🙁

I’ve met some of the goals – I’ve researched and decided on the gifts I want to make, and who I want to give them to. I’ve purchased some of the supplies I’ll need, but not all of them. I just haven’t made the time to make all of them yet.

In my defense, I have changed my mind on one friend’s gift, and I’m making her something completely different. However, that doesn’t change the fact that I’ve been playing around on Facebook while watching TV, instead of crafting 🙁

Going forward, here are my new goals (aka, plan B):
• No computer or kindle while watching TV in the evenings … only my craft projects .
• Mix up double or triple batches of a variety cookie doughs to freeze in ziplock baggies to have ready to bake on those evenings when I’m not in the mood to craft, but still want to be productive.
• Cut myself some slack for not being perfect … nobody is 🙂
• Enjoy the all the days leading up to the Holidays … I love all the fun activities with family & friends during this time of year.

So, there it is … the confession of a (self proclaimed) perfectionist. Actually, being a perfectionist is not a good thing. I’ve been working on trying to not beat myself up because I didn’t live up to my own expectations. Does anyone else struggle with being a perfectionist? Please don’t mentally beat yourself up 🙁  You did the best you could and even if you didn’t, vow to do better next time (sorry for going off on this tangent). Forgive yourself ~ Love yourself  ♥

Will you be giving any handmade gifts this year? What have you been working on? Please share your gift ideas with us 🙂