My only criteria for the gift: it must be useful and the supplies preferably already in my stash.

Quick & Easy:
Potholders
Drink coasters
Oversize potholders to use as trivets
Jar openers
Bookmarks
Pen holders with elastic band for journaling/notetaking
Hair scrunchies

A little more involved:
Placemats
Shopping tote
Casserole carrier
Apron
Table runner
Zipper pouch
Drawstring bag (jewelry holder or shoes for travel)
Travel pillow case for the littles
READ pillow for the littles + newest book from their favorite author
Journal cover

Holiday ornaments and decorations are also fine, but it really depends on the recipient. Items on the above list can be made and gifted throughout the year – not merely reserved for Christmas. For me, quilts are way too involved to be a Christmas present unless it’s for a VIP or special event and I’ve had a lot of advanced notice.

Any other ideas to add to the list?

Hope you’re having a wonderful Turkey Day celebrating the way that is most meaningful to you. Thanksgiving has certainly looked very different for us each of the last four years due to the pandemic, health issues and family dynamics. I’m very thankful to finally have had a relatively normal Thanksgiving this year. It did my soul a world of good.

As 2024 approaches, I’m excited (and thankful) to see quilt retreats, travel opportunities and full class/club schedules from my local quilt shops return to my inbox once again. I’m also thankful that my SUV is finally fixed so I can feel confident driving it to local quilting activities again.

On Mondays, I work as a literacy enrichment instructor for a local private school. This provides a purpose (and a small stipend) that helps keep me part of the happy retiree camp. I’ve had an absolute ball choosing stories to share and selecting the accompanying maker activities each week. Unlike my school librarian days where I had a budget (school and personal) to buy whatever I needed wanted, that is definitely not the case now. The school and I are both on a super tight budget this time around.

How do I handle it? Most of the books I read are borrowed from the public library, which means I have to plan ahead if I’m reading a holiday story. Craft activities are kept simple and re-engineered to use supplies already on hand. Yes, I do still buy some books and supplies (the new Pigeon book, green cupcake liners, small pompoms and red/white pony beads), but it generally averages out each month to what I’d spend on lunch with a friend. Books are added to Sadie’s READ library and leftover craft supplies are utilized in future projects. Any supplies left once enrichment classes end will be donated. It shouldn’t be much.

Here’s what we’re doing for for Christmas:

Week 1
If You Take a Mouse to the Movies by Laura Numeroff (Reindeer paper bag puppet activity)
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh by Mo Millems
The Gingerbread Man Loose at Christmas by Laura Murray (Gingerbread boy/girl ornament activity)

Week 2
Cobweb Christmas by Shirley Climo (Christmas trees made from cupcake liners)
Charlie and the Christmas Kitty by Ree Drummond

Week 3
Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Wilbur (Candy canes made from pony beads)
Crystal wreath kits and/or popsicle stick Christmas trees

One book I really wanted was the Legend of the Christmas Poinsettia, but it was unavailable. I’ll keep checking back and will slide it in on Week 3, if a copy becomes available.