Liven Up the Dark Days Before Christmas with Christmas Crafting Competitions

As the days grow shorter and the nights longer, it can be easy to feel the winter blues creeping in. But the festive season is the perfect time to bring some cheer into your home! 

One fantastic way to brighten up the dark days before Christmas is by organising Christmas crafting competitions with family and friends. 

Not only is this a great way to get into the Christmas spirit, but it also creates lasting memories and unique decorations to cherish for years to come.

Why Crafting?

Crafting is more than just a fun pastime; it’s an opportunity to bond with loved ones, unleash your creativity, and even save money on festive décor. 

Plus, it’s an activity that suits all ages and skill levels, making it inclusive for everyone from toddlers to grandparents.

Getting Started

To host a successful crafting competition, you’ll need a few essential items. Luckily, you don’t have to break the bank! Stores like Amazon, B&M Bargains, The Works, Rymans,Home Bargains, Poundland, and Hobbycraft offer an incredible range of affordable Christmas crafting supplies.

Here’s a checklist to get you started:

Crafting Basics: Scissors, glue sticks, tape, and markers.

Festive Paper and Card: Glittery, patterned, or plain sheets to create cards and ornaments.

Decorative Items: Sequins, ribbons, pom-poms, and stickers.

Natural Materials: Pinecones, dried orange slices, or cinnamon sticks for rustic charm.

Paints and Brushes: For decorating baubles or creating hand-painted masterpieces.

Pre-made Kits: Great for younger participants or those who need a little inspiration.

Competition Ideas

Once you’ve gathered your supplies, it’s time to decide on the competition themes. Here are some ideas to spark your imagination:

Christmas Cards

Challenge participants to create the most festive or funniest Christmas card. Provide a variety of embellishments and let everyone’s creativity run wild.

Tree Decorations

Who can make the most beautiful or quirky ornament for the tree? From hand-painted baubles to felt characters, the possibilities are endless.

Festive Wreaths

Using a mix of natural and artificial materials, see who can craft the most stunning wreath to hang on the front door.

Gingerbread Houses

This can be a very tasty crafting activity. Building and decorating gingerbread houses can add a delicious twist to your competition.

Gift Wrapping

Who can wrap a present in the most creative and eye-catching way? Bonus points for using eco-friendly materials!

Setting the Scene

Make the event extra special by creating a cosy crafting atmosphere. Play some Christmas tunes, light a few candles or fairy lights, and serve festive treats like mince pies and mulled wine (or hot chocolate for the kids). Setting the mood will make the experience even more enjoyable.

Judging and Prizes

To add an element of excitement, appoint a judge or have everyone vote on their favourites in each category. You could offer small prizes for the winners, such as a box of chocolates, a festive mug, or even a homemade certificate for the “Most Creative” or “Best Effort.”

Share Your Creations

Don’t forget to document the fun! Take plenty of photos and videos and share your creations on social media to spread the festive cheer. You might even inspire others to start their own Christmas crafting competitions.

Christmas crafting competitions are a wonderful way to bring people together, celebrate the season, and create something truly special. So gather your supplies, invite your loved ones, and let the crafting begin! This year, make the countdown to Christmas as memorable as the day itself.

How to Create a Cosy, Homemade Crafty Christmas

As the festive season approaches, many of us feel the urge to make our homes sparkle with holiday cheer. But rather than relying solely on store-bought decorations and gifts, why not embrace the charm and warmth of a homemade crafty Christmas? 

There’s something magical about creating your own Christmas decorations, gifts, and wrapping from scratch. Not only does it allow for a personal touch, but it’s also an eco-friendly and budget-conscious way to celebrate.

Here are some delightful ideas to inspire your crafty Christmas this year:

1. Handmade Christmas Decorations

Nothing beats the feeling of trimming the tree with decorations you've made yourself. This year, try crafting your own ornaments:

Salt Dough Ornaments: Salt dough is incredibly easy to make using just flour, salt, and water. Roll it out, cut it into festive shapes (such as stars, hearts, or trees), and bake until hardened. Once cooled, paint them with acrylic paints, and don’t forget to add some glitter for extra sparkle.

Upcycled Paper Baubles: If you have old magazines, wrapping paper, or even sheet music lying around, you can transform them into beautiful baubles. Simply cut circles from the paper, fold them in half, and glue them together to create a sphere.

Pinecone Decorations: Nature often provides the best materials. Gather pinecones from a walk and give them a festive makeover with a bit of gold or silver spray paint. Add a ribbon, and you have a charming, rustic ornament.

2. Homemade Christmas Cards

Sending out Christmas cards is a cherished tradition, but instead of buying packs from the shops, why not make your own?

Watercolour Cards: A splash of watercolour on thick cardstock can create stunning designs, whether it's a simple wash of colour or a more intricate scene like a snowy village. If painting isn’t your forte, you can use stencils to guide your brushwork.

Stamped Cards: Craft your own stamps using potatoes or rubber carving blocks. Simple designs like stars, trees, or reindeer can be easily carved, dipped in paint, and pressed onto your cards. For a unique look, try layering different colours.

Pressed Flowers and Leaves: For a nature-inspired card, use pressed flowers or leaves. These can be glued onto your card for an elegant, minimalist design.

3. Personalised Gift Wrap

There’s no need to spend money on expensive wrapping paper when you can make your own that’s both eco-friendly and charming.

Brown Paper Wrap: Brown kraft paper offers a simple, rustic look that you can customise with stamps, drawings, or hand-written messages. Tie it up with twine and add a sprig of holly or eucalyptus for an earthy, festive feel.

Fabric Wrapping: Using fabric, like old scarves or tea towels, is a sustainable way to wrap gifts. The Japanese technique of furoshiki involves folding and tying fabric to securely wrap your presents, and the fabric itself becomes part of the gift!

Recycled Paper Wrapping: Reuse old newspapers, maps, or sheet music as wrapping paper. Add a colourful ribbon or hand-drawn doodles to make the package pop.

4. Crafty Homemade Gifts

Creating personalised gifts not only saves money but shows your loved ones how much thought and care you’ve put into their presents.

DIY Candles: With a few basic supplies (wax, wicks, and essential oils), you can create your own candles. Choose festive scents like cinnamon, clove, or pine to really evoke the Christmas spirit. Decorate the jars with ribbon or personalised labels to add a final touch.

Homemade Bath Bombs: For a pampering gift, make your own bath bombs with ingredients like baking soda, citric acid, and essential oils. Add some dried lavender or rose petals for a touch of luxury.

Hand-knitted Scarves or Hats: If you’re handy with knitting needles, this is the perfect time to create a cosy scarf or hat for a loved one. Choose a festive colour or opt for neutral tones to suit their style.

If you are a talented artist or a skilled woodworker you will be able to produce some truly unique and -one-of-a-kind handmade Christmas gifts for the people in your life who you really care about.

5. Festive Food Gifts

Food is often at the heart of Christmas, and homemade edible gifts are always well-received. Some ideas include:

Spiced Biscuits: Christmas biscuits, whether gingerbread or spiced shortbread, make for lovely gifts. Decorate them with icing or wrap them in festive packaging for a delightful homemade treat.

Flavoured Oils and Vinegars: Infused oils or vinegars are simple to make but add a gourmet touch to any kitchen. Add herbs, chillies, or garlic to a good-quality oil or vinegar, and store in a pretty glass bottle.

Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix: Layer cocoa powder, sugar, and mini marshmallows in a jar, tie it with a festive ribbon, and you’ve got a cosy gift perfect for cold winter nights.

6. Get the Family Involved

Making Christmas crafts isn’t just fun for adults; it’s a great activity for children too. Involve your little ones in simple projects like decorating biscuits, making paper snowflakes, or assembling Christmas garlands. Not only will you create lasting memories, but the kids will also feel a special sense of pride when they see their handiwork displayed around the house.

Conclusion: A Christmas to Remember

A homemade crafty Christmas is about embracing creativity, reducing waste, and making the season truly personal. The effort you put into creating these handmade decorations, gifts, and cards will not only fill your home with warmth but also bring joy to those around you. So, gather your supplies, put on your favourite Christmas playlist, and let the crafting begin!

Checkout local retailers and also Home Bargains, The Range, Rymans, Hobbycraft, Poundland and One Beyond for a wide range of DIY Christmas goodies.

Here’s to a cosy, crafty Christmas that’s filled with love, creativity, and a sprinkle of DIY magic!

Plan ahead for Christmas and save money!

It's often difficult buying what you need for Christmas, the food and drink, presents, decorations, etc.

However, with the current economic situation, things might be a bit tighter than usual, this Christmas.

Some people will flex the plastic or even take out expensive loans and then face a New Year of penury and hardship as a result.

But it doesn't have to be like that at all! Here is the simple That's Christmas Plan Ahead for Christmas Programme!

1) If your shop or supermarket has a savings club, sign up for it and save a small amount of money for Christmas.

2) If you see an item that would make an ideal Christmas present for a family member, buy it when you see it (so long as the price is keen) and put it away for Christmas.

3) Rather than buying a large amount of drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) at Christmas and risking buying more than you'll need, add a bottle or two to your weekly shops between now and Christmas. If you find you need more you can always pop out to the shops when you need to.

4) Bearing in mind use by and best before dates, stock up on foods for Christmas well before the Christmas season. And avoid any potential pre-Christmas price rises that might occur!

5) Get crafting! You might be surprised at how good you can be with making special bespoke Christmas gifts for friends and family members. Also, why not try your hand at making unique Christmas decorations? Hobby Craft, Home Bargains, Poundland, Rymans and The Works all stock craft items and art items.

6) Shop around! You'll be pleasantly surprised to find the item you wanted to buy at a much lower price in a discount shop. 

7) Check out local/regional Christmas Markets to see of there are any you'll be able to get to. However, if you are looking out for genuine Continental Christmas products/produce then the German discount stores Aldi and Lidl are both well worth checking out. 

https://www.hobbycraft.co.uk

https://www.poundland.co.uk

https://home.bargains

https://www.bmstores.co.uk

https://www.ryman.co.uk

https://www.theworks.co.uk

https://www.lidl.co.uk

https://www.aldi.co.uk

(Image courtesy of Jan Vašek from Pixabay)