Crafting Christmas

Let's talk CHRISTMAS!!! :-D

I've noticed on the boards that many of us are planning on a homemade or recycled or organic or whatever Christmas this year, for a variety of reasons. I, for example, cannot find very much variety when it comes to Christmas items, here in Israel--a bit ironically, I'll add. ;) My conversation starter is this:

What are you planning on making instead of buying this year? What are you stumped on? Overall, what are you making and how are you celebrating this year?

I'll start: This year I'm actually involved with a church congregation, and Christmas has always been more of a religious thing for me, so I'm helping with their Christmas festivities. All that aside, there are many items that I can't find here, so I'm making them instead. I just decided what I'm going to use to make a fake mistletoe, for one. (I'll be using green satin and some fake pearls. Happy ) I'm also planning on using up some holly material on a holiday pillow, and I'll probably make some more tree ornaments. I will be buying presents this year, which is a change, but I have no idea where to get a tree, so that remains a challenge.

What about all of you?? Happy

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23 replies since 6th November 2010 • Last reply 6th November 2010

Reply #1:

This year for gifts i plan on making at least one handmade thing. I'm trying to do a self-drafted dragon plush for my boyfriend in his favorite colours. Im having trouble thinking of gifts for his side of the family. I was thinking of making them each a custome etched glass, but i dont know how well they would take to something handmade. My family celebrates christmas in the sense of gift giving , we really dont venture towards the religious side of the holiday.

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Reply #2:

I know a lot of people who don't celebrate the religious part. For me, it's just not Christmas without it! ;) Today it was hard to not jump in and volunteer for everything (except childrens' activities... x.x) because I just love everything about Christmas!! I knew I'd end up freaking out and overwhelmed, though, so I actually took less than I had intended to. It's okay, though, because I still have no idea where I'm even going to buy a tree, lol! I'm also starting a new job in about a week or so, and a language class that I HAVE to do well in on Dec. 13. It's going to be a busy holiday season!

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Reply #3:

Do you buy real trees or fake ones? We never get to have real trees for christmas because everybody is allergic to them. And its great to see that your so motivated to help out, i bet they really appreciate your help.

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Reply #4:

My husbands family wants to go without gifts of any kind cause of the money issue. I'm trying to start a homemade Christmas swap. Since they are used to spending lots of money of gifts I think they are intimidated, or don't think homemade can be nice.

I wont be with my family so I'm making small gifts I can transport when I go up for thanksgiving.

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Reply #5:

Oooh, good luck with the homemade gift thing--I think they will be surprised and end up appreciating what you make more than they could ever have imagined. Happy

My family always bought real trees, and we even bought a little potted one last year, with the intent to either plant it or reuse it... but the poor guy ended up dying. Happy I don't think we had the right climate for him, even though he was supposedly Greek or something... idk. Anyway, we are in the market for a fake one this year, because I don't believe in cutting down trees in order to celebrate a holiday (it's certainly not a "holly jolly" Christmas for the tree!!), and clearly, the potted idea didn't work out. Happy At least a fake one will get reused year after year... and if we ever decide we don't want it anymore, we can donate it. Happy

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Reply #6:

Have you seen the vintage style silver Christmas trees? Those are my favorite Happy

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Reply #7:

here is a christmas tree idea if you can't find one Rachie (it is a little small though Tongue

http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/table_top_christmas_tree

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Reply #8:

Aww, that is really cute! If worse comes to worst, I'll try that. I mean, my main thing is that I know where to buy a tree, starting December 20, but I don't have any idea how expensive they will be--and besides, I want mine SOONER than that!!! I think the tree should go up on December 1, not just a few days before Christmas.

This is a really cute idea if I can't find/afford a tree, when push comes to shove. :-D I'm sure they'll be selling tinsel!! :-D

Felecity--I know what you're talking about, since my family was very 50's-oriented, but I haven't seen the new ones--or an original one in real life, for that matter. ;) Do you have a link of some that are for sale or something??

Another thing I thought of that will get us all more in the Christmas spirit, and/or give ideas for craftiness, is this website:

http://www.bronners.com/

They are the largest Christmas store in the world! They operate from Frankenmouth, MI, which is an adorable Bavarian/German-style village. If anyone goes to MI, I highly recommend visiting. Bronner's is all Christmas, and is open 364 days a year. Their things are amazing! :-D

Anyway.... I'm off to peruse ideas for Advent calendars... I just got the go-ahead from Shlomi, so guess what he's getting on Dec. 1??? :-D

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Reply #9:

I can't wait for Christmas, it's our first one just us and the cat so it's very special. We're going to be buying cheap baubles then decorating them ourselves and making our own crackers. I am also making *fanfare* OUR FIRST CHRISTMAS CAKE! My fruit has been thoroughly drenched for over a week so we won't be driving after *winks*

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Reply #10:

Woohoo! That sounds awesome. ;) Shlomi and I had our first Christmas with just us last year; this will be Oreo's first one. I''m thinking about making one of those "baby's first Christmas" ornaments for her, lol.

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Reply #11:

http://cgi.ebay.com/VTG-EVERGLEAM-SILVER-ALUMINUM-POM-POM-CHRISTMAS-TREE-4F-/110608476056?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19c0c76798

here's a link to the vintage aluminum trees I'm talking about. My family used to have one with the rotating color light that goes beneath. The light changes the color of the tree pretty cool looking.

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Reply #12:

Aww! Haha, that is sooo cute--and I bet it WAS really cool-looking with the lights changing underneath. ;)

I found on the meijer website (meijer is like walmart, located in MI, Illinois, etc.) that they are now selling lime green, purple, black, etc. Christmas trees. :-P

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Reply #13:

Lime green would be an interesting choice...We have a wrought iron one that is meant for decorative ornaments..Not really into killing trees Happy Plus it's reusable!

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Reply #14:

That is a very cool idea. I want a fake tree just so it's reusable, easy, non-tree-killing, and looks like an actual tree. I really like the iron idea, though.

I think in Italy they traditionally use a wooden stand that looks like a tree to show off their nativity sets.

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