Start preparing for the holidays now by gathering supplies for some fantastic holiday crafting.
Thanksgiving for those of you in America, Christmas and New Year’s Eve are all wonderful winter holidays. Not only are they the perfect time to celebrate with friends and family but they are perfect for getting creative.
Christmas time is a wonderful time to encourage kids to get busy crafting by having them pack gifts for friends and family. Snowy winter weather also offers lots of opportunity to spend time with the scissors and glue.
But before you embark on your craft projects for the winter season you will want to prepare by stocking up on some basic arts and crafts supplies. Here are some suggestions for the craft closet.
Holiday Supplies
Many types of supplies are only found certain times of year and you have to buy them early on to get them. Christmas coloured pom-poms, ribbon, lace and holiday craft kits sell out really fast, often long before December arrives, so start stocking up as soon as they hit the stores.
Another way to stock up for the holidays is to plan way ahead of time. When Christmas items go on clearance sale buy big for next year. This is the time to buy the more expensive items — miniature scarecrows, mini plastic pumpkins, lace and ribbon — will come in handy for next year.
Basic Craft Supplies
There are some things that are a necessity for crafting, no matter what time of year it is. You will want a good quality craft glue such as Aleene’s Tacky Glue in the US or Mod Podge in the UK. Hot glue guns are a good idea for heavy duty crafting but should never be used by children alone. Construction paper in holiday colours, as well as the basic colours, chenille stems, wiggly eyes, scissors, rulers, markers, crayons, colored pencils and card stock are all essentials.
Fun Extras for the Craft Closet
You will want to include some fun extras as well. Fun foam, stamps, glue dots, stencils and decorative scissors can add creativity to kid’s crafts. Pre-cut foam shapes and even craft kits allow kids to get right into their projects without a lot of preparation time.
Recycle Items
You can use quite a few things from around the house for making seasonal crafts too. Can rings, clean juice lids, milk jug tops – these are just a few things you can use to make Christmas tree ornaments. Egg cartons, baby food jars, Pringle cans, styrofoam meat trays (well washed) — all are great for making one of a kind craft ideas for gifts and decorations.
Spending time with the kids making crafts for the holiday season is easy when you stock up early and prepare. By being prepared for the upcoming season, with a well stocked craft closet, you can spend more time doing the things you like and adding a personal touch to the holidays.
How is it almost Christmas? I’m so confused about how this year has worked out. I definitely need to think about what to get for people and how to decorate this year.
I can’t believe Christmas is creeping up so fast. With lockdown beginning in a few days in the UK, I’m very glad that I am a step ahead and in fact almost done. It’s all the small bits like you’ve talked about that I am behind on x
I love the idea of a pom pom string banner, my daughter loves making pom poms with my spare wool so it would be great to stick them all together, they would make a fabulous Christmas decoration! Absolutely loving crafting this year! Sim x
I can’t believe that it will be Christmas in just more than a month! These are great ideas for those who are crafty and creative. Will be saving the juice lids and milk tops for the future.
Time flies so quick and I can not believe that Christmas is near…I love to get all the crafts stuff and do some homemade crafting and baking too x
I tend to buy items once they go on sale. It’s a great way to make some savings and have stock for the next year too!!!!
I love crafting at Christmas, I already have so many ideas of things I want to make.
I really can’t believe it is almost christmas. It is the perfect time for crafting. Thanks for sharing the tips.
I used to buy presents in the sale, just after the new year’s, in the past. They make great gifts for half the price throughout the year and, if they are not prone to expire, even for the next Christmas.
I have been working today and the shop has officially been “Christmas’d” – we are glitter and sparkles everywhere
I can’t believe christmas is next month, this year has flown by!