Home-crafted Christmas Gifts

Yesterday, I pulled a portable table into the middle of the living room so my daughter and I could create crafted Christmas gifts while Mom sewed curtains for my bedroom. The magical atmosphere encased us as we chatted away about creating wreaths and ornaments.

There’s something special about gathering creative eclectics in my family together for a day of crafting or making art. I might struggle to take the time to do artsy projects because I get caught up in life’s many demands, but when one or more of the artists in my family say, “Hey, let’s make something!” I’m all in for the experience.

So yesterday, out came the containers of Christmas crafting supplies, and my daughter, Mom, and I went into the zone.

As I looked at the wooden Santa my sister, Gina, hand painted years ago, memories of our years as business owners of Heartwarmers flooded back. You see, we used to gather our four children around the kitchen table to make crafts, while we created items for our Christmas country and victorian gift lines.

Now all that remains from those years of running an arts and crafts business are the decorations surrounding my daughter and I: the remaining odds and ends of stuffed snowmen with dough-art carrot noses, tiny half-finished angels and Santas, hand-painted wood accents of stars and hearts…the list goes on and on.

Memories of years-gone-by swirl happy feelings around the room and through our hearts. Three generations of creative eclectics who love to make things from scratch; people who believe in gifts taking time and attention, precious commodities these days.

As I watch my mother sew, I’m grateful for the woman who passed on her love of creativity to me. I know the lives she’s touched extend far beyond her children and grandchildren; every person who is inspired by my book, blog posts, or personal lessons, has benefited from this amazing woman who took the time to pass on her love of crafting.

So as you bustle about for Christmas, consider a home-crafting project day. Gather a few of your loved ones together and make some memories as you create homemade Christmas gifts. I guarantee this day will make your holidays very special.

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