....................Starting to think about Christmas is what I'm talking about. Is it allowed in September?
Every year for several years now I've put together a collection of items - some home made and some bought - for my Sister and for Colin's sister and their husbands. If I'm to do the same for 2021 it really needs thinking about now.
I started by searching on here for what I did for last years Christmas
Hamper gifts but there's hardly a mention except for the plant labels I
made from the self-hardening clay. Thank goodness there was a list in my Christmas book. There's one hitch for this year- no fresh produce from home to use so even more ingenuity and ideas will needed.
I'm not sure what I'll use to pack things in although I still have several new jute bags but I've used bags before and the sisters do online shopping so probably don't even need shopping bags.
Now it's just a case of stopping thinking and to actually get on with doing!
Then last Sunday at the car-boot sale I spotted these.
So I've made a start.
Back Tomorrow
Sue
I always enjoy hearing about your hampers. Brilliant start!
ReplyDeleteI need some more ideas now.
DeleteThose look great, and don't need decoupage IMHO. I've been thinking about Christmas too. But not got very far yet. My main plan is to actually SEE my family this year. It will be the first Christmas for our daughters where their Dad does not have to go to work!
ReplyDeleteShe would have doubled the price and ruined them with white paint and dragonflies and bees stuck on them!
DeleteWhat a brilliant find those insect hotels are. Something pretty but useful to start your hampers off. I'm trying not to think of Christmas yet but I expect it will only be a few more weeks before I start my lists!
ReplyDeleteI start to panic if I don't have any plans made before October
DeleteThey are lovely, I would enjoy one, children in particular would get a lot out of these and could decorate for themselves too :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a good idea
DeleteLovely hotels, a good find.
ReplyDeleteI must fix mine up soon
DeleteWhat a fabulous score, and a great gift.
ReplyDeleteI hope they can make use of them
Deletei've started christmas shopping on a small scale, we have quite a few family birthdays between october and december so it helps tp spread the cost x
ReplyDeleteI've got birthdays too before Christmas - bad family planning!
DeleteIt's never to early to pick up little bits and pieces. My GD brought me one of the little insect houses and it has worked a nice idea and different.
ReplyDeleteI have just started to make some little wreaths with curtain rings for our stall at Knit and Natter.
Hazel c uk 🌈🌈
The wreaths sound good. I have one in my Christmas decorations box made from a curtain ring and embroidery thread
DeleteI was in Home Bargains, they are starting to fill up with Christmas tat. I hate to see it.
ReplyDeleteThe charity shops have their Christmas cards in already
DeleteIt'snevr too early, after all people get cards and wrapping paper in January in the sales, don't they? I was always on the look-out for ideas the whole year, it saves a lot of stress.
ReplyDeleteThe insect hotes are a good idea and the plain wood looks more natural than any with decoupage.
I've got all the cards I need and wrapping paper too - so already sorted those
DeleteIt's most definitely not too early! I start to think 'Christmas' as soon as the kids go back to school. I need to spread the cost too and that is the way to do it. Your hampers are always lovely and the little bug houses are great.
ReplyDeleteI've got to think of more ideas for things for the hampers this year - difficult without a garden full of fruit trees and vegetables
DeleteI really enjoy the way you plan all year Sue and I look forward to what goes in each "hamper" with interest.
ReplyDeleteI completely forgot to take photos last year but I did write things in my Christmas book
DeleteThose are terrific! You are smart to begin early. The way this year is flying by, Christmas will be here before we know it!
ReplyDeleteSomeone on TV the other day said how many days it was until Christmas - I don't want to know yet!
DeleteI love Christmas and prepare/shop early too. Having everything prepared ahead leaves time for hosting gatherings and enjoying all the festivities. One year I found wire and wicker baskets and turned them in to Christmas gift baskets. Your boot sales are terrific with lots of great finds.
ReplyDeleteI need to think of more ideas for the hampers soon not many boot sales left!
DeleteGosh, that was a good price and a lovely addition to each hamper. We have started having Christmassy thoughts too - middle daughter has asked for a wish list. We've said keep it cheap as there's not much we actually NEED. I would, however, like trees for my planned orchard.
ReplyDeleteTrees for your orchard sounds a really good idea
DeleteThis is YOUR blog and you can talk about whatever you want, whenever you want 😎. The school holidays have ended so I reckon it's "open season" for all the crazy which comes between now and 31st December.
ReplyDeleteOdd to think about Christmas just as we've had a couple of the warmest days of the summer!
DeleteI sincerely hope it isn't too early because I certainly have started and enjoying it very much indeed. :-)
ReplyDeleteI love those insect hotels.
xx
Oh yes of course, I saw those pretty glass tree decorations. So I'm not too early then!
DeleteSomebody please tell me what an insect hotel is...you all seem to know but i’m In California and haven’t a clue.
ReplyDeleteI love those Insect Houses. They will really be appreciated.. Down Under we are needing to think extra early this year as we've been warned that overseas orders will take forever to get here .. if they ever arrive. I am very keen to "shop local", but the grandchildren are into Lego and the like, so getting organised for them is necessary. I will search the internet and see if I can find a New Zealand producer of those Insect Houses, they would be a great gift for the adults. Thanks for sparking me!
ReplyDeleteI always love hearing about your Christmas Hampers. That is such a brilliant gift for a couple or a family. The Insect Houses will be a wonderful addition to them. Part of what is so fun about your Hampers is the great variety of gifts you manage to put together for them.
ReplyDeleteInsect hotels look interesting and I'm sure your family will like them. I did buy a few things for Christmas when we were in Alaska days ago. Some tshirts given to our 3 grandchildren already as its warm enough to wear them or wear a sweater or sweatshirt over them. I bought Christmas cards last year as they were on sale. I don't buy alot for Christmas. I do make calendars for my friends/family from photos I've taken. This year is will be photos from Alaska. It was fun to be there! It was on my bucket list! Another one checked off. :0} Becky
ReplyDeleteI'm not ready to see Christmas trees in stores or Christmas displays (maybe with the exception of craft stores where you have to start ahead) but I'm all for shopping for people year round and tucking it away and then getting it wrapped and ready to go whenever there is time in the fall to do it and enjoy, not be rushed. The rush will come and there will be last minute things, but if we can do what we can now, it saves a lot of angst!
ReplyDelete