Sunday, July 4, 2010

Handmade Holiday

Every Monday I will be posting some thoughts, plans, projects, and links to other blogs that are joining in on making this upcoming holiday season one that is simple, light on the earth, and as handmade as possible.

I think a good place to start is with organization. Identify what works best for you. For me, putting pen to paper, cutting and pasting, and sketching helps me to solidify ideas, keep them orderly and also to remember them better. In high school and college I would hand write facts over and over again to study for exams.

Even while making things, I plan to buy as little as possible and when I do buy I will choose eco friendly products. Our family lives on a very low budget (below poverty level for a family of eight - but I can tell you, we are doing just fine). However, we do keep spending to a minimum. In addition, by buying less we are also being mindful of the environment. So, I am going to use an empty sketch book that I have had for some time.

This week I will be making my master list in the sketch book of those I would like to give gifts to. Even neighbors that may receive a basket of baked goods.

I will leave three pages blank for each of our children so that I can jot down ideas, cut and paste patterns, etc....

Throughout the upcoming weeks, as a thought emerges about something I think someone might like, or I see the perfect idea in a magazine or online, I will write it down under their name in my notebook and the source of the idea and possibly cut and paste or draw a picture if possible.

That's it for this week - get organized and make your list. Use your notebook or computer or whatever works for you, but the key is - use it!

Please leave a comment if you would like me to add your blog to the Handmade Holiday Page.

Warm wishes,
Tonya

31 comments:

  1. I can't wait to see this series. I've been working on handmade gifts for the holidays already. Last year I posted every Friday on etsy artisans and other places to buy handmade gifts, but this year I'm trying to make a few more and buy handmade a little less. Yay, this will be exciting!

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  2. I've been mulling about the upcoming holiday season as well. While I do jot my ideas for handmade gifts in a notebook, it has been in my "catch-all" notebook. I like the idea of a dedicated notebook. Makes it more accessible. Thanks for the inspiration :-)

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  3. I look forward to this series! I've had a dedicated Christmas-time notebook for a few years now and it really helps me keep track of decorating and gift ideas etc. Since we've just added our 4th child to the family, being organized is even more important now, especially when it comes to the holidays! Can't wait to see everyone's ideas through the upcoming months! I am really hoping there will be some good handmade gift ideas for bigger boys (13+)I find that age is can be hard to make something special for, everyone I know just recommends video games :( and that is not something we want to do!

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  4. this is wonderful! i have a ton of ideas i'm plotting out for the holidays!

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  5. Oh, Tonya, this is wonderful! Our family has been doing this for a couple of years. We try to focus on handmade, either by ourselves or other local or Etsy artisans, but we also give used, vintage, or treasures belongings as gifts. THANK YOU for this post, and for your ideas and progress in future posts... and thank you for the reminder that I need to get planning now!

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  6. We always do handmade gifts and I would love to take part in your group. A little hard for me to wrap my head around the thought of winter holidays at the moment, (Chloe's birthday was yesterday, and I finished her gifts just yesterday morning), so thanks for the early reminder!

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  7. As much as I don't want to start thinking of the Holidays... I really want to be a part of this. We already do a handmade holiday, except for the gifts. I would love to start sooner and get some handmade gifts done :) I lam looking forward to this!

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  8. Thank you for the inspiration. I definitely need to get intentional and start sooner rather than later.
    -Peace

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  9. I really like your idea, Tonya. This upcoming Christmas I am dedicated to keeping things "real." The commercialism of the holiday season has gone too far and I want to make a deliberate effort this year to combat that. You're right that now is the time to get organized.

    I look forward to reading the rest of your posts in this series--thank you for doing it.

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  10. I also need ideas for teenage our teenage boys too - so maybe next week we can brainstorm this.
    Warm wishes, Tonya

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  11. What a wonderful idea!!!! Last year we made most of our gifts for each other...it was a welcome respite from the spend spend spend of years past!
    I like the idea of getting more organized though...yes, I have loads of old notebooks I could use!! Great idea!
    xo maureen

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  12. oh yes please! i am on a quest to finish all my holiday gifts by the first of november. we are doing all handmade. it's going to be a big one as all my siblings will be under the same roof for the holidays for the first time in many many years..:)

    i'm looking forward to being a part of this creative brainstorm! thanks so much..:)

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  13. This is a very timely post for us - we just got some remnants of linen and the prettiest pale blue gingham for lavender sachets for the holidays. My daughter also has big embroidery plans! It's nice to know we're not the only ones that start thinking about the holidays in midsummer!

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  14. Thank you for the inspiration! Each year I vow I won't spend December doing late-night projects that make me cranky ... perhaps this year I'll actually plan ahead? Can't wait to follow this series :-)

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  15. Oh perfect! Count me in!! I need the push to get going. I was actually hoping to be done by now but some sickness has been stopping me from sewing and knitting lately :( I am finishing up birthday presents for my daughter's birthday in September right now.

    This is only our 2nd year celerating Christmas so we are making a lot of our decorations as well as gifts. My oldest and I made some ornaments the other week for our tree this year as well as a a garland for our fireplace (once we make more). http://frontierdreams.blogspot.com/2010/06/pine-needle-crafts-im-finally-back.html

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  16. Great idea! It really is just around the corner, isn't it? I look forward to these inspirational posts :)

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  17. Looks great! I LOVE to organize.

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  18. What a great idea! I'll try to follow along once I get a little more settled into the summer routine (just got to Spain yesterday).

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  19. So wonderful! I want to follow along as well! We're keeping our holiday gift giving to a minimum this year as we plan on traveling in January - but we'll still decorate and mark the season with handmade loveliness.

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  20. Great idea Tonya. I think I will make a main lesson book for myself. I like the idea of writing down everyones names and keeping recipes or ideas all in one place. I am a pen and paper person myself, it seems I have a binder for everything :) . I am really looking forward to this, thanks so much for starting it.
    Peace

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  21. I have long wanted to do this but haven't for various reasons and now after reading am determined to go for it.... I think I may break myself in gently by doing some handmade and some 'pre-loved' from boot sales and markets but both are healthy for the environment and the heart and soul too!
    i have my planning sheet at the ready!!

    Wish me luck!

    jenni

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  22. Such a good idea to get started early! I need to get our homemade holiday ideas started and put down on paper.

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  23. I really like this idea Tonya, and the timing of it all. Organization is the key, and intent.

    Thanks for this!
    Julia

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  24. What a wonderful idea! We are going to simplify our holidays for the first time this year. I'm sure I'll get lots of inspiration from your wonderful blog.

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  25. Hi! I am definitely in...what a fantastic idea :)

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  26. I would love to join. I did this on a small scale last year and it inspired me to go full force this season:)

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  27. I've been doing so so for years now, this year I'd like to do better, so I'm joining in.

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  28. I would love to join as well please!

    http://kjoslyn78.blogspot.com/

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  29. I'm late to the party but would like to be included if I might?
    Thanks!
    (((hugs)))

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  30. I know I am very late to join but I am a new follower of your blog and would love to be part of this. My blog is http://seasidesiblings.blogspot.com/ I have recently made one of my girls a doll for christmas, which I wrote about here- http://seasidesiblings.blogspot.com/2010/09/my-creative-space_30.html

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