Unwrap a Stress-Free Christmas with Our Gift Planner and Support Small Businesses

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The most magical time of the year is fast approaching, and with it comes the joyful but sometimes overwhelming task of finding the perfect gifts for our loved ones. It’s the time when we gather with loved ones, exchange heartfelt gifts, and create memories to cherish for a lifetime. Let’s face it; the holiday season can turn even the most organised among us into a whirlwind of last-minute shopping and impulse buys. The ever-growing list of gifts to buy, the unique presents to create, and the desire for a beautifully organised holiday season.

If you’ve ever wondered how to make the most of this magical time while keeping the chaos at bay, we have the answer: the Christmas Gift Planner. Do you already use one? Or is this your first time hearing about it? We want to know! Join us as we explore the world of holiday planning, the benefits of using a Christmas Gift Planner, and the joy of crafting unique gifts from the heart. Share your thoughts and experiences with us as we delve into this enchanting journey.

Introducing our Christmas Gift Planner – your key to a more organised, thoughtful, and budget-friendly holiday season.

In these series of blogs leading up to Christmas, we’ll not only introduce you to the planner but also hope to delve into the experiences of those who already use one and those who are yet to discover the benefits. We encourage you to share your thoughts with us, making this blog a space for a lively exchange of ideas. Let’s unwrap the magic of planning together and make this holiday season unforgettable.

We’ll explore the invaluable benefits of having a gift planner, which will not only make your holiday season more organised but also show you how it can help you support small businesses while ensuring that your gifts are unique, personal, and practical.

The Christmas Gift Planner: A Path to a Calmer Christmas

The Christmas Gift Planner is designed with one goal in mind: to make your holiday season as stress-free as possible. It helps you answer all the important questions: Who are you buying (or making) gifts for? This planning phase ensures that your gifts are thoughtful, personal, and within your financial means. With a clear plan in place, you can say goodbye to impulsive purchases that often lead to gifts that miss the mark.

One of the most significant benefits of the Christmas Gift Planner is that it empowers you to make well-informed decisions about your gifts. You can carefully choose who to buy for and decide whether you want to purchase a gift or put your crafting skills to good use. The planner encourages thoughtful decisions and minimizes the likelihood of impulse purchases that you might later regret.

Does the idea of last-minute gift shopping send shivers down your spine? Our Christmas Gift Planner is your lifesaver. With a clear, up-to-date list of your gifts, you’ll never forget to buy or make something special for someone. No more rushing to the store on Christmas Eve for a last-minute, expensive, and not-so-thoughtful gift.

Supporting Small Businesses: The Heart of Your Community

As we all know, the holiday season isn’t just about gifts; it’s a time of sharing, giving, and coming together. What better way to embody the true spirit of the season than by supporting the small businesses that form the heart and soul of your community? In this challenging financial climate, small businesses need our support more than ever.

The holiday season is the perfect time to show your love and support for small, local businesses. In these challenging financial times, they need your help more than ever. By choosing unique and handmade products from local boutiques, artisans, and craft stores, you’re not only making your gifts unique and personal but also contributing to the growth of your community.

Small, local businesses are the backbone of our neighbourhoods. They’re run by your friends, family, and neighbours, not faceless corporations. By choosing to shop at local boutiques, artisans, and craft stores, you’re not only making your gifts unique and personal but also contributing to the growth of your community.

In these challenging financial times, your support means the world to these businesses. They’re not just providing you with goods and services; they’re putting their passion and creativity on display, creating something truly exceptional for you. So, as you embark on your holiday shopping journey, remember the significance of supporting local businesses. This year, let’s make our gift-giving experience more than just a transaction – let’s make it a celebration of our community, our local economy, and the wonderful people who make our town special.

As we continue this journey through the magic of thoughtful gifting and supporting small businesses this holiday season, we invite you to consider making your celebrations extra special. Explore our Christmas-themed patterns and handmade crafting notions that will add a personal touch to your gifts and decorations.

Imagine having a clear plan in place, knowing who to shop from and what to create for your loved ones. Imagine crafting unique, one-of-a-kind gifts that carry the warmth of your community, and imagine being equipped with tools that are both practical and artistic.

Here, at Nifty Needles, we hope to make those decisions just a little bit easier by showcasing some of our patterns, kits and notions to give you some ideas for Christmas gifts and filling out your Christmas Gift planner.

And if you’re ready to take your holiday planning to the next level, download our free Christmas Gift Planner. It’s our gift to you, a token of our appreciation for your support of small businesses and the creative spirit of crafting. Download it as a PDF from our website, and let’s make this Christmas the most memorable one yet.

This holiday season, let’s craft joy, spread love, and make every stitch and gift count. Together, we can make this Christmas the most wonderful time of the year.

🎁 [Download your Free Christmas Gift Planner

In the coming weeks, we’ll be showcasing a range of products that are perfect for Christmas gifts. Whether you’re into sewing, knitting, crocheting, or needlework, we have something special for everyone on your list. From crafting kits and patterns to handmade crafting notions, our products are a testament to the love and care that goes into every handmade creation.

Stay tuned as we delve into our extensive range of crafting products, providing you with unique, personal, and practical gift ideas for the crafters in your life. This Christmas, let’s make the season about more than just exchanging presents – let’s make it about supporting small businesses, sharing creativity, and spreading joy.

#SmallBusinessLove #SpreadLove #ChristmasPlanner #ShopLocal #CraftingJoy #UniqueGifts #HandmadeHolidays

Christmas Tree Surprise

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Back last year …. A few months before Christmas … I had this idea of an embroidered Opening Christmas Tree decoration. I had made a fabric version of it years before and even ran a workshop on it. The original kit came from Pinflair, and I spoke to them about my idea of doing an embroidered version of the tree. The fabric trees were lovely to make and really did make a stunning centrepiece on the table over the Christmas period.

So … I put pencil to paper and came up with a few sketches …. Simple fir branches and baubles using simple embroidery stitches and metallic embroidery thread on a lovely linen to create something special.

I finished the embroidery, made up the tree sample while taking photos of each step. I then wrote the pattern, got it proof read and tested to see how easy it was to follow. I then shared the photos on Facebook to gauge on how much interest there would be in making the tree and having kits available to purchase. The next step was to get in touch with the fabric wholesaler to see about getting in the linen fabric. With 6 weeks to go till Christmas, I thought there would be time enough. I had ordered (& received) all the precut board templates to make the tree. However, the colour that I wanted for the tree was not in stock in the UK warehouse and needed to be ordered from the States which meant a delay. It finally arrived 2 days before Christmas, which was seriously too late for last Christmas. Lesson learnt. I guess it really is important to plan Christmas makes well in advance.

So, the templates and other pieces for the kit were put on hold. Christmas 2022 came and went, and no one really wanted to start making up Christmas trees in the spring. I decided to put the kits, etc aside until the autumn and launch them at the Quilt Fayre last week. It seemed the ideal time to launch the kit as I was also launching the Santa Sacks and my other Inktense Christmas designs then as well.

I made up the kits with four different colourways. The colourways refer to the colour of the baubles on the tree branches – 4 different colours of metallic thread. There is Red Copper, Bronze, Silver and Gold. My sample was made using the Bronze metallic thread.

The kits include 19 page tutorial with step by step instructions and colour photos to make creating your tree easy,  the precut board templates to make the tree, shirting and gummed paper tape for assembling the tree, wadding, washable stabiliser for the front of the linen to show the embroidery lines, linen fabric, ribbon hinges and the embroidery threads for the embroidery. All you need to provide is the bookbinding glue and fabric for the internal/trunk of the tree.

This tree really is such a special and stunning addition for your Christmas décor and will be lovely to bring out each year and fill with chocolates or sweets.

I guess the hardest choice is …. What colour baubles will you choose for your tree …. Or what fabric will you choose for the interior of your tree ….

So, with Christmas being only about 100 days away …. Now would be a good time to purchase your kit and you will have enough time to make your very own opening Christmas Tree to adorn your table this year….. These kits are limited ….