Finding The Joy Of The Season In Christmas Crafting

Crafting during the weeks before Christmas is one of my very favorite parts of the season.

It's a holiday tradition that I've been enjoying for decades. As a child, my mom bought me ornament making kits, styrofoam ball with beaded pins.

Remember those?

She'd pick up paper doll Christmas villages, that I'd construct and play with for hours on end.

Occasionally, she'd even join the fun, and we'd make pinecone wreaths or trees together, while Mitch Miller sang in the background.

And while decorating and shopping, visiting with friends and planning family get togethers are all exciting, I still find my zen, during this hustling and bustling month, in DIY and crafts.

Although, for the past few years, I have to confess, that I often let my blog dictate what I decided to make.

Would people be able to replicate this craft? Are the supplies readily available? Does it look like something you'd buy in store?


I'd even consider if it would it photograph well.

Unfortunately, that mindset made Christmas crafting more work and a whole lot less relaxing.

Well, this season, I've thrown all that out the window and I've just been making things that make me smile.

Those upcycled gingerbread row houses and the burner cover Santa wreath come to mind, first. I literally giggled my way through those entire processes.


So when my husband and I were at a Christmas fair this weekend and he showed me this $1.00 doorknob hanger, at first I bristled.

Frankly, that fad had come and gone, years ago, no one was going to be interested in upcycling one of those.

If they could even find one in a store.

And what was I going to go with it?

That's when my husband said, It'll be a challenge. You love those projects and this one's blank on the back. It's begging to be Exquisitely Unremarkable.

He was so wide eyes and sweet, trying to help me with my holiday crafts, that I bought it.

And came home stumped.

Then when I was cleaning up my craft area, I saw those Santa napkins again and I was ready to have some fun.

First, I added the decoupage to the hanger and let it dry.

Next, I placed my Santa face napkin on the doorknob hanger, put the parchment paper over it and ironed it on using the same process I used when I made my decoupage Christmas tile coasters.


Then the fun began.

I decided to add some fluffy glitter snow with a plastic knife to the furry parts on Santa's hat.

I painted glitter onto his mustache, beard and eyebrows.

Lastly, I added a bow with my glue gun.


So cute. And very vintage looking...giving me all those warm, sentimental childhood Christmas feels.

I can't tell you just how much fun I had making this one. It was truly a happy holiday moment. Trying to figure out what I was going to add next to my one dollar trash to treasure find.

Playing with ribbon and that textured foam paint made me feel like a kid again. And who doesn't love a little bit of glitter?

I was singing along to the soundtrack of Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer, my family was in the kitchen with me and I was just having fun by glow of little white lights.

That is what Christmas crafting is all about. The joy. The pure, uncomplicated delight of doing something you love.

No matter the outcome.

Or wondering if it's suitable for sharing. Or photographing. Frankly, I wasn't even going to share this one. It was a just for me, kind of of DIY.

But then I thought, no, I am going to share, but not for the DIY, although it did turn out pretty cute, but rather for the message.


The idea that this is that special time of year when we need to put down all the "shoulds" and do what we want.

Celebrate in a way that brings the joy of the season into our homes.

And our hearts. Spend time with the people you love, make memories, start new traditions and revel in the old ones.

Forget about those perfect Instagram trees and all the holiday bucket lists that get posted this time of year. Ignore the advertisements and the Tik Tok Shop. Give the gifts of time, love and kindness.

Sing out loud.

Dance by the tree.

And craft away to your heart's content.

As if the only one who's watching is Santa.

🎅

What's bringing you joy this Christmas season?