It's that time of year again when the shops are packed full of Christmas cheer and you find yourselves scouring the shelves and catalogues for the perfect gifts for family and friends, not to mention that Secret Santa you have, that colleague you don't like but have to buy something for and that little old lady who always buys you a box of chocolates.
But this year rather than settling for the same gift sets and novelty items I implore you to try something a little different. Why not homemade? Handmade gifts have really made it back on the scene thanks to the popularity of shabby chic. This year I've decided to get back into the creative game and make a selection of homemade food gifts for our friends and family.
Stuck for ideas? Don't know where to get your supplies? Well here are my top tips for getting creative and where to shop...
1. Pinterest
Now I heard about Pinterest a couple of years ago but initially resisted the temptation of becoming a member in the fear that it would take over my life and I would upcycle all of my belongings. I eventually gave in and have been a member for quite some time now. I must admit, I am completely obsessed! For those who don't know, Pinterest is an amazing platform that allows it's members to not only search for ideas but also upload their own too. It's not just a place for art but food, music, fashion and much much more. Simply search your interest and you will find thousands of ideas on the page. Want to look at it again later? Click 'pin it' and it will be saved to your very own profile. Find a topic you love and want to see more of? You can pin that too and that will refresh and show new ideas every time you visit your homepage. Here is a quick glimpse at my Pinterest page and my homepage of interests full of other peoples ideas...
I really can't rate this website enough and I would certainly encourage everyone to become members and look for areas that interest them. I have even got the school I work at to become members and I am now responsible for finding new ideas for teachers planning to help enrich the children's learning experience. I effectively get paid for looking at my favourite website! You'll be amazed at what you can find on there- recipes, cleaning tips, home decor ideas and so much more!
2. High Street Stores
Many people associate handmade gifts with crafters and expensive stores specifically for those with hobbies such as card making, sewing, etc but actually more and more of these things can be found at local high street stores. I often find myself heading down to town and visiting shops such as The Works, Wilkinsons and Tiger for craft supplies and at this time of year they are filling shelves with all kinds of wonderful goodies. Everything from blank cards and envelopes to stamps, you'll be amazed at what can be found at budget prices.
3. Online Stores
I am an eBay lover and constantly check it for bargains. I have bought so many of my supplies for this years homemade gifts from there. Labels, string, pens, bags, the lot! It's definitely worth shopping around and checking your options. I initially thought I'd found some bargains on Amazon but after I checked eBay I ended up getting the majority of it from there and saved over a tenner!
4. Google Shopping
This tool is my best friend. Whenever I look for a product I always look for it on Google shopping which provides me with all of the shops it is available from along with the price including shipping costs. It has helped me find many a bargain and also introduced me to a lot of great stores.
Top Tip!
One thing I must say is don't be taken in by shops claiming to offer the 'real deal'. Stores such as HobbyCraft and Paperchase, although lovely come with a big price tag which can often be avoided, especially if you are looking for simple things such as cards and envelopes. You don't want to be splashing the cash on the wrong things.
So there you have it, my top tips of where to look and what to do for a great homemade Christmas. I'm in the middle of making my Christmas gifts at the moment so as soon as they're ready I'll be sure to share them with you all. I'd love to hear what gifts you like to create for your friends and family so be sure to get in contact by following me on these platforms:
Twitter: @snazzyspazilla
Pinterest: Ellen Rust
Instagram: @snazzyspazilla
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