Beautiful Christmas Crafts – inspiring ideas for festive giving and decorating

Today is the last blog post before our Christmas break and each year, I like to take this opportunity each year, to share with you some favourite crafts which might help ease your Christmas list a little. I know if they are your favourites by my stats and of course the generous comments and messages you send me. In particular I want to share some quick and simple makes which use a variety of crafting techniques so there is something for everyone and which might make beautiful gifts for loved ones or maybe décor for your own homes. No matter how good our intentions, invariably we find ourselves too busy or simply running right out of time and if you are like me, that so often means a Christmas compromise along the way. So, let’s take a moment and have a look at what you might find suitable and enjoyable to help with your festive faffing and giving this year. Join me today for a plethora of Christmas crafts…

Paper first and in particular I’m thinking recycled newspaper, music sheets, old books which just cannot be enjoyed for their original purpose anymore and pretty tissue scraps. All these would work well for these popular crafts which previously decorated dark corners of my home long after the Christmas holiday had gone and off into the bleak mid-winter. And these paper roses are extremely quick and satisfying and instead of displaying as I have here, they make wonderful table confetti strewn across a festive runner. And if paper roses feel like too much effort or time has slipped away, take a Christmas hole punch – I have this one – and some old book pages and within seconds you’ll have the quickest and prettiest homemade table confetti you ever did see. And finally for paper take a look at these paper garlands which with a little thought and imagination, will make the most gorgeous Christmas garland. If time is on your side and you are feeling creative how about a garland of festive reindeer or maybe one featuring the jolly old guy himself wrapped in fairy lights. You could go glitter crazy too if you like: I don’t like, you might recall.

The wire crafts have proved a huge success this year. I particularly like the idea of mixing up the medium as you saw me do here. Or you could add dried flowers to a simple heart – or bend an alternative shape – or perhaps add a rag ribbon or Christmas message typed or stamped onto vintage ribbon. These smaller wire crafts make wonderful gift toppers or hostess gifts especially with a few meaningful words attached and carefully chosen for the lucky recipient. And this wire washing line could have so much more happen to it. Add tiny craft pegs – I use these – and you have a wonderful gift to give. Go further and fix your washing line to a tatty old piece of wood and add the word ‘Laundry’ and you can see where I’m headed with this one.

And of course sewing, stitching, embroidery, let’s not forget any of these mindful crafts. Please do not be put off if you have never picked up a needle and thread before, it matters not around here. There are so many beginners’ projects with so few stitches which might make the perfect gift. This Beginners Sewing Kit is one example and these funky brooches – which also work well as decorative bag pins – is another. Key rings can be created in a couple of hours using scraps which might otherwise not amount to much and if in my tutorial I show you three stitches and you know only two for now, then two it is. If I decorate with lots of French knots and you know stab stitch, then stab stitch will work just fine. Play to your strengths and use what you have. Improvise and imagine your way through each of my crafts and very soon you will have your own unique spin on an idea you saw here. And that’s the way to do it. No one wants copies of Whitewood and Linen Christmas crafts; Your family and loved ones want your own take on an idea.

This next craft is one of my own personal favourites and to date has had a lot of Pinterest interest. Perhaps you recently joined us because you came across it too. Totally appropriate for this time of year and of course for so many other occasions, Fabric Angel Wings are simple to make and require limited sewing skills. I do use a machine, you can use fabric glue instead. Take a look and perhaps have a try. Size them up or down, they make wonderful gifts and decorations for the home and Christmas tree too.

Did you dry your own beautiful blooms from your summer garden? These dried flower hoops look fabulous in any size, individually or in small groups. I’ve fashioned my own hoops, you can easily buy ready made. There are several crafts in this blog using dried flowers, to find them simply type dried flowers into the search bar – located on any page on this website – and your choices will appear.

And when all your Christmas crafts have been created and your thoughts turn to eco-friendly and sustainable wrapping this post and this one will get the creative juices flowing once again and don’t forget these for money, vouchers or store cards. And also don’t forget Pinterest and the fabulous reels function over on Instagram, both full of so many Christmas crafts from talented crafty folk all hoping to inspire. I’m going to be gifting my wine bottles wrapped in pretty tea towels this Christmas, who knew that would ever be a thing.

This year has been a big one for Whitewood and Linen. There have been a great many new readers and subscribers to this blog: One week my poor family told me to stop ringing and WhatsApping with minute-by-minute updates as my subscriber list grew: Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I started this blog originally to record a home renovation and then changed my mind and decided to share my love of crafting. I never in my wildest dreams imagined so many of you, some of you from so far away, would join me week after week and encourage and support me like you do. I want you to know I never – I wanted to type ‘never’ in capitals but it looked aggressive so please understand I really mean this – ever, ever take this platform for granted and I will continue to share my crafts and stories, together with my commitment to recycling and sustainability where I can and continue to promote small businesses if I feel they might be something you too might like, through these pages.

Now, have the very best Christmas holiday you can and I wish for health, peace and happiness for you and yours. Merry Christmas from Belle and me. Until next year…x