Why Not Try Crafting for Christmas?

Why not try your hand at crafting for Christmas this year? It’s a great way of learning new skills or honing old ones. 

And you will be able to gift loved ones unique, handmade gifts and also save on money, too.

There are many retailers that sell crafting kits and equipment. National chain stores, Etsy stores, Amazon (where many people selling crafting items are in reality “Mom and Pop” operations working from home) and local retailers from your own town also sell crafting items. Large chain stores and some supermarkets also have crafting departments so they are worth checking out, too.

What can you make? If you have never crafted before you can check out crafting videos on YouTube and see what other people have made or are making. (Unfortunately some TikTok channels carry "faked" crafting videos so are best treated with caution, in our experience, as you might never be able to achieve the results they claim to have achieved.)  Incidentally, some crafting supply stores and crafting kit manufacturers have videos on their websites to show what you can do with their products. 

They also sometimes have demonstrations and classes at their local branches with experts displaying their skills or teaching crafting techniques, so these are worth looking out for, too. Some local colleges also have arts and craft courses, so check with them to learn what they have to offer the aspiring artist or budding crafter.

What can you try your hand at? What about Knitting, crochet, painting, glass or ceramic painting, woodworking, sewing, baking, cheese making, wine and beer making (obviously checking on the legality of this where you live) upcycling furniture, resin crafting including embedding items such as flowers, etc, origami, air dry clay crafting, embroidery, tie dying, cyanotype printing, upcycling clothing, paper crafting, DIY wall art, macrame, quilting, sewing, woodworking, gluing, etc, etc.

If you start now, in late August, you’ll be able to learn new techniques and to perfect them well before Christmas when you will be able to gift your perfected handmade presents.

You can also buy crafting kits as gifts for people in your family and your group of friends who you know will appreciate such a “crafty” gift. 

That’s Christmas has already covered the innovative company Sugru who offers a wide range of crafting items for you to use to create fantastic gifts, or for you to give out as Christmas presents for other people.

There’s their Kintsugi Repair Kit in Gold or Silver, Multicolour Wool Clothing Repair Kit, Fix & Create Kit by Sugru all of which you’ll be able to learn about at this post, here:

https://thatschristmas.blogspot.com/2022/10/gift-them-art-of-repair-with-sugru.html 

The following retailers/companies sell craft and crafting items, so why not check them out?

https://www.poundland.co.uk

https://www.hobbycraft.co.uk

https://www.theworks.co.uk/c/art-and-craft/craft-supplies

https://www.craftyarts.co.uk

https://www.fredaldous.co.uk

https://www.madarches.co.uk

https://www.coltoncrafts.co.uk

https://www.bakerross.co.uk/craft-supplies

https://www.etsy.com/uk/c/craft-supplies-and-tools

https://www.littlecraftybugs.co.uk/craft-supplies.html

https://www.craft-supplies.co.uk

https://home.bargains

https://www.therange.co.uk

https://sugru.com

https://www.daler-rowney.com

Growing concern for elderly loved ones’ self care as increased worry about need for more personal support revealed, especially at Christmas time

It's time to review the right support and care options as many people worry about signs of mental decline and possible signs of dementia.

A majority of adults are more concerned elderly relatives of 75 and older will be lonelier, according to new research, with two in five admitting they'd need more personal support. With 7 in 10 seeing relatives this age over the Christmas and holiday break, and over a quarter hosting them at home, the insights highlight a significant concern for their wellbeing and the overstretched care sector.

The research, commissioned by Ageless Innovation LLC, who develop Joy for All® Companion Pets for older adults, also found many spotted increased signs of forgetfulness, a decline in mental sharpness and even signs of possible dementia in 13% of cases, increasing worries.

Ted Fischer, who is CEO of Ageless Innovation, said: “This highlights the significant concerns many have for their aging loved ones, both in terms of how they feel after the fun and togetherness of a family Christmas and festive time, plus the signs spotted over this time that they are becoming more vulnerable.

“There are also many other ways to provide comfort and companionship to those who need it most. We believe the care sector and other care experts can provide valuable guidance to address this important issue.”

Analysis of the data also revealed 58% of adults aged 35 and under were concerned their elderly relatives wouldn't be able to cope with living on their own, now. One in five were concerned elderly relatives were frailer in comparison to the last time they saw them, with the same number also believing their elderly relatives will be doing less exercise once they went home after the festive period.

Developed with extensive input from older adults, Joy for All ® Companion Pets look, sound, and feel like real pets and can create a personally rich experience by delivering joyful moments to aging loved ones.

Research was conducted via One Pulse in the second week of January 2023 with 1032 UK adults over the age of 18. Ageless Innovation commissioned it, understanding the concerns and worries of close relatives for aging parents and grandparents who might be more vulnerable and in need of support following a time of excitement and family gatherings, such as Christmas.

Peer-reviewed research, including a recent study from the University of Plymouth, has shown robotic animals can alleviate loneliness among older people. Researchers have found that this technology can significantly reduce anxiety levels and provide calm and comfort.

Actually, we at That's Chirstmas feel that these Companion Pets could make ideal Christmas presents for vulnerable people.

To learn more about Joy For All Companion Pets, visit https://joyforall.com.

Ageless Innovation is a global company whic is devoted to developing fun and engaging products for older adults. Beginning with the award-winning line of Joy for All Companion Pets, Ageless Innovation is focused on creating products which promote fun, joy and play while reducing the cost of care and creating meaningful connections for older adults, their families, and caregivers.

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Scented candles for Christmas from Loriest & Co.

A luxury scented candle from Loriest is the perfect and meaningful Christmas gift; reminisce what has been and to celebrate what is to come.

At Loriest & Co they make journeys through the year scenting stories with 12 candles, each inspired by the seasonality of the 12 months of the year,

Specially hand-poured in England, their sustainable luxury candles are all carefully crafted to harness the fragrance of plants and flowers that are found all over the British Isles. 

Their special Notes of December candle carefully captures the scent of an evergreen forest and is wonderfully aromatic in the home over the festive season.

For a more personally considered Christmas gift, look back at moments in the year that can be recalled with scent; for example, a summer wedding with their Notes of June candle which releases a bouquet of English roses, or what about a friend's weekend away in August with the scent of sea air mingled with geranium which are to be found in their Notes of August candle, or what about a special anniversary in November with the cosy warming aroma of woodsmoke is perfectly balanced in thier Notes of November candle?

Established in 2022, Loriest & Co is a small, family-run UK business, and with the natural world as their muse, a responsible approach is at the very heart of everything they do.

Their candles are all plant-based, clean burning and are guaranteed to be 100% vegan. Each vessel is made with recycled glass, their gift boxes are FSC-certified, and they are proud to report that they are are plastic free.

Loriest candles are wonderfully meaningful Christmas gifts, beautifully packaged and delivered free of charge across the UK. 

They provide a gratis gift wrapping service (complete with gorgeous velvet ribbon!) and personalised handwritten gift notes, too.

This Christmas surprise someone with the gift of storytelling through shared scent memories.

The Loriest & Co scented candle collection, each £40.

Twelve candles across the four seasons

Autumn scent memories

Notes of September pear / blackberry / hops

Notes of October moss / juniper / woods

Notes of November woodsmoke / sloe / cedarwood

Winter scent memories

Notes of December evergreen woods / camellia / bay

Notes of January thyme / viburnum / rosemary

Notes of February snowdrop / ferns / primrose

 Spring scent memories

Notes of March hyacinth / green leaf / daffodil

Notes of April bluebell / blossom / woodland

Notes of May peony / rhubarb / lilac

Summer scent memories

Notes of June rose / freshly cut lawns / elderflower

Notes of July tomato vines / sweet pea / mint

Notes of August heather / geranium / sea thrift flowers

The perfect present all wrapped up this Christmas with Loriest.com

Cherish has handmade Christmas decorations you will love

"Welcome to my Christmas collection," says Cherish of Cherish Handmade. 

She went on to say: "I have a range of handmade felt characters that make great additions to the Christmas tree or for hanging anywhere around your home during Christmas time. 

"They're small and cute enough to send as a small gift or stocking filler for an animal lover.- and there are certainly many of those! 

"My fabric decorations are carefully hand-stitched using only high quality fabrics and they feature exquisite little details like tinkling bells, wooden collar beads, heart motifs and other festive touches. 

"They're available as a white Westie dog, a black Scottie dog, a black dachshund, a brown dachshund, and a black or a brown cat. At £5.95 each they are great value for money and I'm sure your readers will love them." (EDITOR: We are sure of that, too, which is why we are featuring them.)

Cherish also has a gingerbread man and felt heart decorations available, too.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/cherishhandmadeshop

Have a very merry Luxurious Festive Feast to Remember with DukesHill's Christmas Collection

Have yourself a luxurious Christmas this year with the very best in festive food from artisan food producer, fine food supplier and Royal Warrant holder, DukesHill.

Established in 1985 in the glorious Shropshire countryside curing hamsusing time-honoured traditional techniques, the DukesHill's range has since grown and is renowned for championing artisan producers whose skilled use of unique and traditional methods create outstanding food and flavours.

With an uncompromising commitment to sourcing and creating the very best in British produce, with the highest regard for animal welfare, DukesHill's Christmas collection has a quality that is second to none.

2023 Christmas Highlights 

Cranberry Glazed Ham with Pork & Cranberry Stuffing - Half ham, £82 (min 2kg), Whole ham, £130 (min 4kg)

As justifiably proud Royal Warrant holders, DukesHill are undeniable experts in curing the finest of hams. This season their special edition Christmas Ham is the Cranberry Glazed Ham, generously stuffed with Pork & Cranberry Stuffing. 

Using their traditional Wiltshire Cure, the hams spend time maturing in DukesHill's own-recipe brine to which a touch of unrefined brown sugar is added for a subtle sweet flavour. The hams are then air dried for a further week, stuffed by hand with pork & cranberry stuffing and steam cooked for 12 hours, allowing the fat to render and soften, giving a delicious buttery texture. 

Once cooked the hams are trimmed, coated in a cranberry glaze and finished off in glazing ovens, producing hams with a moist texture and mild flavour with a delightful hint of cranberry. This special festive ham will make for a fine centre-piece for your Christmas table.

DukesHill Free Range Bronze Turkey - Prices from £90, Various sizes are available 

The traditional choice for a Christmas Day feast, DukesHill's free range bronze turkeys taste outstanding. Reared especially for DukesHill in the Kent countryside by highly experienced third-generation farmers who have been rearing turkeys for forty years, their turkeys roam freely in grassy paddocks and meadows and are fed a natural cereal-based diet.

Christmas Pudding - £14.50 (454g)

Handmade for in excess of 30 years by the DukesHill team as part of an annual tradition, their rich Christmas Pudding uses butter instead of suet for a much cleaner finish on the palate and combines the rich flavours of the finest French Brandy, succulent vine fruits, cherries, fresh free-range eggs, carrot, mixed spice and candied orange for a wonderfully moist pudding whose secret family recipe has been passed down through the generations.

St Clements Mince Pies - £13.50 (6 x 80g)

Created following repeated customer requests and incorporating classic Christmas flavours, DukesHill's handmade all-butter pastry St Clements Mince Pies are full of mincemeat soaked in a rich, warming brandy and balanced with a delicate citrus edge from extra St Clements orange and lemon peel. 

Pigs In Blankets Kit - £12 (750g)

With plenty of dry-cured streaky bacon and traditional pork cocktail sausages, this easy kit will make 24 tasty 'piggies'. A Christmas must-have.

Condiments For Christmas

DukesHill's condiments are the very best finishing touches to any festive feast.

Created specially for DukesHill by an artisan food producer in the Yorkshire Dales who foregoes pectins, additives and preservatives, Boxing Day Chutney (£4.50 198g jar) is a handmade dark, rich and fruity chutney containing cranberries, English Bramley apples, ale and a special Christmas blend of 11 spices that tastes wonderful with any leftover ham or turkey and is essential for any cheese board. 

Also from the same producer is handmade Proper Piccalilli (£4.50 198g jar, £11.50 575g Kilner jar) which combines crunchy cucumber, cauliflower, courgette, red and green peppers, Lincolnshire onions and juicy tomatoes with a sweet, tangy mustard sauce and pairs perfectly with DukesHill's cured hams or cheese. 

Cranberry Sauce with Port (£4.50, 198g) combines cranberries and port with a hint of citrus fruit and tastes delicious with turkey, roast goose or baked ham.

Brandy Butter - from £4.50

Serve a spoonful of this creamy, warming brandy butter onto DukesHill's Christmas Pudding or a St Clement's Mince Pie and indulge yourself.

The full DukesHill Christmas range will be available from the end of next month, 31st September at: dukeshill.co.uk 

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