Christmas is coming… so let’s make it an eco-friendly one

ChristmasSomehow Christmas has just ambushed me this year. One minute it was September, the next minute the supermarkets were wheeling out the mince pies and I was wondering how on earth we got here again. Usually, like most of you, I’d spend months planning, organising, overspending, and then hitting Christmas Day like a broken elf who’s finally given up.

But things have changed. For the last few years I haven’t really had anyone to buy for except my parents. I’ve even started making them stockings, desperately hoping it’ll spark a bit of that lost Christmas magic. Spoiler: still waiting.

I miss having little ones around at Christmas, the wide-eyed excitement, the dramatic unwrapping, the absolute chaos of them pretending Father Christmas is definitely real. And yes, before anyone jumps in: I know Christmas isn’t just about gifts. But the idea of someone being reborn doesn’t exactly give me the warm fuzzies, sorry.

What does give me joy is giving, young or old. That feeling when you’ve nailed a present so perfectly they didn’t even know they always wanted it? That’s the good stuff. That’s my Christmas spark.

I’ve tried a few different ways to reignite my Christmas spirit, but the sad truth is… I don’t even bother with decorations anymore. Not a fairy light in sight. One year I did a Christmas paper-making workshop and painted a little Christmas tree, that masterpiece now gets the annual honour of being Blu-Tacked to my TV unit. Classy.

I do, however, miss the old days when I’d come home and “retrieve” the Christmas tree. Not because of a draft, but because Asbo, my late cat with the personality of a small outlaw, loved climbing right up the middle of it. Christmas always won, somehow. The tree… not so much.

The run-up to Christmas is still absolute chaos in the quilt world. Fabrics start landing in haberdasheries in June, and yes, we buy them that early. July is when I lovingly stroke the new Christmas prints like they’re rare exotic pets. In August I make The Plan, you know, the one where I’m definitely going to run a stall at the local Christmas craft fair.

Catmas Advent Calendar

September is where I remind myself that I have this plan. This is also when I start giving myself soothing pep talks: “Don’t panic, you’ve still got October and some of November.”

October arrives… and suddenly I’m frantically making advent calendars and anything else I think might sell. Then November strolls in, smirking, and that’s when I finally accept that (1) I absolutely did not make enough stock for a craft fair, and (2) it’s fine, because I forgot to sign up for the stall anyway.

You’re probably wondering what someone does with a handful of handmade, beautiful fabric advent calendars. The answer is obvious: you gift them, of course. They’re the gift that keeps on giving, literally. A present you lovingly chose and stitched for someone, while they remain blissfully unaware that you originally made it for a craft fair you forgot to sign up for.

And each year afterwards, they can pull it out, fill the pockets, and remember the person who poured their time (and possibly their sanity) into creating such a thoughtful, reusable treasure. That’s the magic of handmade.

As my immediate family grew and nieces and nephews arrived, we made The Big Decision: we’d only buy for the kids. Naturally, I got the short straw in this bargain. I didn’t have children, and apparently Lady T and Harley didn’t count. Sure, they were cats, but they were my furbabies, and frankly they deserved presents more than half the adults in the room.

This might have been when Christmas started losing its sparkle for me. As the kids got older, “presents” became “just give me money.” Which meant two things:

1. There was no present-opening chaos.

2. There was definitely no joyful eye-twinkle when receiving cash in a card.

With the twinkle gone, so was the fun of hunting for the perfect gift.

(Yes, yes, I am getting to the point of this blog, hold tight.)

Last year I decided to throw caution to the wind. The whole family was going to be together on Christmas Day for the first time in forever, and I wanted it to feel special. So I decided to buy gifts for everyone. Nine people. I was buzzing, back in my element, making lists, plotting surprises.

To cut a long story short: I bought what I thought were brilliant gifts. Thoughtful things, funny things, cool little extras. And… they were not impressed. At all.

I can’t lie, I was gutted.

One year I even asked everyone what they wanted for Christmas, and the response was, “Anything… just not something you’ve made.”So guess what they’re all getting this year?That’s right, something I’ve made. I did warn you the point of this blog was coming.

Adult Christmas Cracker Hat

This year I’ve spent hours tucked away at the Creation Station (yes, my workspace has a name, several, depending on my mood). I’ve been working my fingers to the bone crafting the ultimate Christmas invention: fabric, reusable Christmas cracker hats.

Eco-friendly. Washable. Reusable. And, frankly, heroic.

Finally, someone (me) has solved the ancient problem of the fragile tissue-paper crown that:

• dissolves the second it meets gravy,

• rips because your brother’s head is the size of a small planet, or

• crumbles in the hands of Great Uncle John as he valiantly tries to open his cracker.

Not anymore. As I type this, I’ve made 30 hats. Everyone I know is getting one. Every. Single. Person. I’ve even personalised them with names, because if I’m going to create a legacy, I might as well embroider it.

I will be remembered around the Christmas table for years, as they place the same hat on their heads, year after year.

In my quest to find my lost Christmas sparkle (and, let’s be honest, to gently punish my family for last year’s Very Ungrateful Reaction), I might have accidentally started a new family tradition. One I absolutely hope sticks.

Picture it: a table full of relatives wearing the Christmas hat that keeps on giving.

• It fits everyone thanks to the elasticated back.

• It won’t disintegrate when wet.

• It can be washed.

• And Great Uncle John cannot rip it, it’s 100% cotton and built like a tiny festive tank.

This is me, nice to meet you.

So, with Christmas coming, let’s make it an eco-friendly one. And yes, in case the penny hasn’t dropped, you can get your very own More Shabby Than Chic reusable Christmas cracker hat on my online store. Hurry while stocks last; my elastic supply is not infinite.

My mum also created a family tradition when we were young: table presents. After the morning chaos settled and we finally gathered around the dinner table, there’d be one last little gift waiting for each of us. In Mum’s words, “It’s just a bit of nonsense.” Maybe so, but it’s our nonsense, and it’s part of what made Christmas feel like Christmas.

Turns out my Christmas sparkle wasn’t lost, it was just waiting for the right hat to bring it back.

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