Like, I imagine, every other crafter in the known universe, I’ve been thinking about my Christmas gift giving list a bunch lately.  I had what I now realize was an overly ambitious plan to knit everyone a gift.  My knitting skills are still very much at the novice level and while I am getting the hang of it, I’m still very, very slow.  A few folks will be getting knitted gifts but not everyone like I had originally envisioned.  If I was going to pull off knitting everyone a gift, I should have started back in say January, I didn’t and so we’re going with plan B.

Like in past years, we will be giving away baskets full of homemade goodness.  Unlike previous years, however; we’re cutting back on the number and variety of cookies and other sweet treats.  There are a few reasons for this but mainly its just to keep the sugar level to a minimum in our own home.  It seems like everyone is on sugar overload and we get as much as we give during the holiday season – not to mention all the sampling of what we give away.  I want to avoid the sugar crash, this year so less baking has to be in the plan.  We’ll still be making Potica (the only thing I stocked up on for the 6-month no grocery challenge prior to October 1st was walnuts specifically for Potica making), because now that I’m back in the habit I have a hard time envisioning the holidays without some homemade Potica.  I envision two types of cookies at the very most and probably some cinnamon raisin bread, but that’ll be it for the holiday baking.  There will plenty of gifts in the form of brandied cherries, Jeff’s beef jerky, jams, and other homemade savory treats.

In the baskets, we’ll be including handmade placemats and cloth napkins (I’m not using those links specifically – I just thought they were great tutorials and wanted to share them, instead of trying to write my own).  I have a big stack of napkins already made and all of the placemats near completion.  These were simple placemats in most cases, no patchwork piecing or intricate patterns.  I’m using up fabric that has been in my stash and having fun with the project.  I’ve made some tote bags and aprons to include for a few folks as well.

There will be a few gift cards and books for the teens and children on our list, but for the most part that’s it.  We don’t overspend or go overboard on the holidays, ever, and this year won’t be any different.  How about you?  Have you started crafting for you holiday gift giving needs?