Money’s tight, job layoffs are looming, health insurance premiums are spiking and yet folks are out there Christmas shopping like there’s no tomorrow. Why? I went to a specialty kitchen store to get a set of baking pans Mom had requested for Christmas. The shopping center’s parking lot was already PACKED at 10:30 a.m. on a Friday. Make it make sense.

We’re still doing all the usual things that we do during the Christmas season, but in a more intentional way (with a side of frugality thrown in the mix). Our home is simply decorated with only our favorite Christmas items this year. The Spode Christmas china came out the day after Thanksgiving and will be used daily through the New Year. We skipped buying any new collectible Hallmark ornaments. For Christmas cards, we used up all the random cards leftover from previous years before opening any new boxed cards. Christmas stamps from the post office were very pretty this year, but we chose not to buy any specialty stamps. Instead, we mailed our cards using stamps already on hand.

Our families chose to gift practical items and/or experiences this year. Nieces and nephews shared short lists of things they really want for Christmas. I think we’re gifting more physical items than gift cards for a change. We advised said nieces and nephews that we didn’t need any gifts for Christmas. I told one niece that I guess this means we’re old. She replied, “Not old, just content.” That’s a nice way to put it.

One of my friends observed that we’re at the point in life where we can just go buy things we need (and sometimes want). We don’t necessarily have to wait for Christmas or special holidays. She has a point.

What you see here are two advertisements for the exact same sewing machine. Yes, this is the machine I want when I go to replace my Janome 8900. The Canadian offer is a much better deal as the $6999 price in Canadian dollars converts to $5,054.92 in USD and the bundle includes the ASR (stitch regulator). The US offer with the 50% discount to add on the ASR means I would pay close to $7,000 on the exact same machine with ASR if I were to buy it at one of the three Janome dealers here in greater Atlanta.

I’m not aware of any differences in the 9480 models marketed in the USA and Canada. That extra $2,000 is purely due to tariffs.

Despite what we were told about other countries paying their fair share when the tariffs were implemented, said tariffs are being passed directly along to we the people. This is just one example. Janome’s merely following what all the other sewing machine manufacturers are doing. I get that. As the customer, I’m choosing not to play that game. I’ll purchase when prices return to normal or buy used.

In case you missed it, Quilts Inc. announced on Wednesday that Quilt Market – the long-running quilt industry trade show held in Houston each fall – has officially ceased operations. You can read the official announcement here. However, International Quilt Festival, the consumer show that usually follows the trade show, WILL continue. Dates for that show are November 12-15, 2026 at the George Brown Convention Center in Houston.

In 2022, h&h americas opened a new, competing trade show in Chicago encompassing all the needlearts – not just quilting. I’ve had a few creative-type colleagues from the greater ATL attend the h&h americas event. They recommended I attend this industry event as a sewing educator. Apparently, I have the credentials to do so. The 2026 dates don’t work with my schedule, but perhaps I can make plans to attend in 2027.

2025 has certainly been a year of big changes in the world of sewing, quilting, knitting, crocheting, cross-stitching and every other fiber & textile specialty. Private equity discovered our “grandma hobbies” and literally wreaked havoc on the entire crafts industry in its quest for investor returns. I’m still miffed about the whole Joann fiasco. Tariffs have also added to already higher prices on fabric, sewing machines and craft supplies. The Janome 9480 I’ve had my eye on is now $2,500 higher than it was this time last year due tariffs. Surprisingly, the Elna version (same machine AND includes the stitch regulator) is $1500 cheaper than the Janome. I’ll continue to wait until prices drop or my Janome 8900 gives up the ghost and will probably wind up with the Elna version.