Handmade Gifts for a Slower Holiday Season

A handmade gift is a special thing

But I will admit, despite being a maker of many stripes, I don’t make things for others that often. Sewing and knitting are things I do as a form of relaxation and mindfulness, as a way to learn more about myself, and take some slow minutes in a day to simply breathe. I don’t think of this as selfish – I simply do not like to put deadlines or stress on my making. And for me, holiday gifting often feels stressful. 

This year, though, I want to share my love of making, and extend those feelings that it gives me to the loved ones in my life. I am working on ways to avoid the pressure and stress I sometimes associate with the holidays, and focus on the intangible good things, like quiet nights with friends, baking with family, and the serene feeling of a cold day. 

I am trying to keep my list manageable, by choosing projects that I both enjoy and that are not too time intensive. While I would love to knit my mom a sweater this holiday season, I know that is not feasible, and that my stress over finishing it would dampen the enjoyment of making something for someone I love. So I am going to knit her the Ardent Wrap in worsted weight, in colors that make me think of her. Our Nest Sweatshirt is another great gift for moms (and friends) because it is cozy, easy to fit, and easy to customize to suit different styles. We’ve put together a list of sewn, knitted, and even baked ideas for homemade gifts, for a slower, more intentional holiday season. 

Sewn

• Nest Sweatshirt: Whether you choose the quilt block view or simply color-blocked, the Nest Sweatshirt makes a cozy gifts for moms, sisters, and friends. Sewist Jayme wrote that her Nest is “easily one of my favorite project/pattern combinations.” She used three thrifted sweatshirts for hers, making Nest an economical gift that is kind to the planet too!
• Strata Top: A quick sew, and easy to make with a variety of fabrics you might find in your stash, the Strata is a great handmade gift for your best friend. Add a little embroidery or a fun patch to make it even more personal.
• Wax and Wool Tote: This fantastic tote bag pattern from Anna Graham is a great introduction to bag sewing, and makes an excellent gift. With no need to worry about fitting, choose a color (or two!) that your friend loves and fun surprise for the lining, and you’ll be giving a gift that they can use year round.
• Purse Organizer: We love this sweet purse organizer pattern by Minki Kim. It can be used in a larger tote or project bag, or as a small purse itself. It is great for carefully storing everything from craft supplies to toiletries to pens and notepads, making it perfect for gifting your busiest friends.

Knitted

• Ardent Wrap: Jewell Washington’s garter and brioche wrap pattern uses a squishy worsted weight yarn, making it a quick and enjoyable knit for all the loves in your life (and maybe yourself too.)
• Tailor’s Rib Beanie: While we knitters like to knit complex cable and lace patterns, I have found when making a gift for my non-knitting friends, the simpler the better. This DK weight, 2×2 rib beanie pattern by Ailbíona McLochlainn knits up fast, with a beautiful and wearable crown decrease. It’s perfect for partners, best friends, and kids.
• Zuzu’s Petals Cowl: Carina Spencer’s lovely cowl pattern is written for multiple yarns sizes, so if you need a really quick gift, it knits up fast in a cozy, bulky yarn. If you want to slow down a bit, a worsted or dk version make a great, and just as cozy gift too. We also love her B-side Hat for a versatile, genderless holiday gift!
• Autumn Garden Socks: This cozy slipper sock pattern by Tif Neilan is a snap to knit up. I know, I made a pair last year in a weekend, and I am usually a very slow sock knitter. They are great stash busting projecting to use up some pretty partial skeins you may have, and make a toasty winter gift for your favorite people.

Baked

• No-Knead Bread: This recipe from Jim Lahey (adapted here by Mark Bittman) is the first bread recipe I ever made, and I return to it time and time again. If you have never made bread before, or if you’re a weekly baker, this recipe is fun to make, tastes great, and easy to add different flavors to (maybe gruyere and rosemary or cranberry orange) and makes a delicious gift to bring to a party or a friend.
• Pumpkin Bread: I am person who eats pumpkin flavored things all year round, but fall and winter are prime season, and thus, this pumpkin load from Smitten Kitchen is always on my holiday baking list.
• Chocolate Chai Cookies: I don’t think anyone would turn down a chocolate chip cookie, but the addition of chai flavoring takes these to a new level in this recipe from Martha Collison. The warm spices feel so comforting on cold winter days.