Inspiration Thursday! Handmade Christmas

Christmas was always a "big deal" in my home growing up. After all, we're celebrating the birth of baby Jesus and birthdays are a "big deal" too in our family. Mama's family used to have a "Happy Birthday Jesus" cake in their celebration tradition. And our family has our own traditions too... but that's another story for another day.

This Christmas we don't have as much money as we'd like to give what we'd like to the ones we love - and I don't think we're the only ones in this boat. It's gotten me thinking about how Christmas seems to have gotten really big and really commercial in my adulthood. Maybe it's because I'm a grown up now and actually see the sales flyers and incentives to get the newest electronic gadget?

I remember how thrilled I was the Christmas I got a My Friend Mandy doll complete with wardrobe. Mama had spent nights making a wardrobe for Mandy - something I knew because my room was over the sewing room and for many nights before Christmas I fell asleep to the whir... whir... whir... of the sewing machine. I knew Mama had worked so hard to make that Christmas special, and it's one of the best Christmas presents I remember.

So as I've been rushing around trying to finish up Christmas shopping, it's struck me that this year gifts don't have to be elaborate. The whole point is to celebrate a birthday, show some love and let people know they're special to us. And for many in my family, that means it's a handmade Christmas. I'm giving them something that's very precious to me - time. I'm spending time making things for them instead of just pressing a button and having something shipped.

I don't know if amid the flurry of wrapping paper and electronics my gifts are going to be the stand out gifts of the season, but I do know I'm giving a part of me this year. I'm not just checking off a name on a list. I'm working toward something a little more special this year. And I'm returning to the Christmas of my childhood where the best gifts are the ones made especially for me.

Inspiration Thursday! Making a list... checking it twice!

Well folks, it's December. Some people shop all year long for Christmas so that when December rolls around, they're finished with their shopping and are ready to ship their prettily wrapped packages. I'm not that girl.

I'm not the girl to leave EVERYTHING to the last minute. I've got some shopping done and wrapped. But I'm still searching for those last little perfect gifts. If you're that person too, may I suggest an option? Did you think about shopping Etsy?

For me, it's a year of tight budgets and I'd much rather spend my money on something handmade (or vintage that's passed the test of time) than something electronic that will be obsolete in a year. There's an incredible array of beautiful gifts to be had on the site - including a little something from Swoon Studios!

Earlier this week, I created a Treasury - it's the picture above - to showcase some of the artists that had put things on sale for cyber Monday. If they're like me, they'll probably be running specials this month to help you finish your Christmas list! Again, it's December folks....

Inspiration Thursday! Christmas is coming...

I know, I know, I don't want to hear it either. But it's coming. Whether you're ready or not, it's coming.

I'm one of those people who tries all year long to look for thoughtful Christmas gifts for friends and family. For some, I've been very successful. But as I started culling through my "Christmas gift box" the other day, I started to realize just how much I have left to do.

In an attempt to help myself AND give you some ideas, I'm going to occasionally highlight some of the pretties I find here on Inspiration Thursday.

This week, I'm going to start with and old favorite of mine, items from Punch Studio. Punch Studio is a fantastic resource for those of us who love the look of antique ephemera. It looks like they take images from old postcards, calling cards, maps and song sheets and integrate them into interesting note cards, memo books, purse pads, file folders and storage boxes. You can find Punch Studio products on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble, among other retailers.

I love the little mini notebooks. The insides have a beautiful illustration and you can close them with the attached elastic band. And for those of you with friends and relatives who still cherish the art of writing notes (see photos above), they make wonderful note card sets!

If you're looking for something special for someone special, this might be a good way to go!