Handmade Gifts 2014

Our family has a tradition where we each make handmade gifts for everyone. We open them on Christmas Eve.  This year Nelson completed most of his gifts by Thanksgiving. Liz finished on Christmas Eve day.  We always check in to be sure this is a happy tradition, because inevitably someone becomes stressed.  So far, everyone declares it is the one tradition we can't do without.

Here's Liz with all her gifts on Christmas Eve. I made her the crocheted polar bear hat. Nelson made her the lap desk, and Liz made her the frame for hanging instragram photos.

 Helen made me this Scrabble frame which is now hanging in our mudroom entry.

Helen made Nelson this album called "The Keepers" which has all his family recipes + our new "keepers" that we print out off the web once we've made and liked them.

Liz melted down all my old beeswax candles and made me one new one. 

It smells lovely.

I decoupaged quotes from Helen's favorite books onto clothespins and printed out photos of family for her to hang on her dorm room wall.

Liz made Nelson some bags from vinyl screening for his running gear.

I made Nelson a new lunch bag. It has pockets for his coffee thermos, etc.

Liz made Helen some mixes including "daddy's pancakes" to take back to school.

Nelson crocheted Helen an infinity scarf.

He made me this cool sconce for the porch out of pipes.

Christmas morning dawned....

and a few more hand-mades appeared--

this whale (which was finished at 7:30 a.m. on 12/25).

and these elephants.

 I think we're all done crafting for a little bit!!