Hey y’all!
One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is slowing down and getting creative. Between finals, traveling home, and the general chaos that comes with this time of year, it’s nice to have something simple and hands-on to focus on. For me, that usually means crafts. There’s just something so comforting about sitting down with supplies, Christmas music playing in the background, and creating something just for fun.
Why Crafts Feel Extra Special During the Holidays
During the holidays, crafting feels different. It’s cozy. It’s nostalgic. It reminds me of being younger and doing crafts at the kitchen table while Christmas movies played in the background. Crafting gives my brain a break from screens, deadlines, and overthinking. It’s a way to relax without feeling like I’m doing nothing.
Making Seed Bead Animals
One of my favorite simple crafts is making seed bead animals. If you’ve never made them before, they’re these tiny animals made by weaving small beads together into different shapes. It takes patience and focus, but that’s part of why I love it. You can’t rush it, and you can’t multitask while doing it. You just sit there and work one bead at a time. Plus spending time on Pinterest to find patterns is also relaxing.
There’s something really satisfying about watching something come together from such small pieces. Plus, they’re adorable when they’re finished. I mean look how cute these stingray earrings came out!
Handmade Gifts Mean More
As I’ve gotten more into crafting, I’ve also started appreciating handmade gifts more during the holidays. There’s something really special about giving someone something you made yourself. It feels more personal and thoughtful, and it shows that time and care went into it, not just a quick trip to the store.
Handmade gifts don’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. Sometimes it’s the small imperfections that make them special. Whether it’s something created late at night with Christmas music playing in the background or a project you spent weeks working on, handmade gifts carry a sense of warmth that store bought gifts just can’t replicate.
Crafting as Self Care
Crafting has become one of my favorite forms of self care. It’s calming, grounding, and lets me be creative without any pressure. There’s no grade, no deadline, and no expectations. Just me, my supplies, and a finished piece at the end.
During a season that can sometimes feel overwhelming, having a creative outlet like this makes a huge difference.
Final Thoughts
The holidays are the perfect time to slow down and create something just because you enjoy it. Whether it’s crafting, baking, or any other creative activity, giving yourself time to make something is such a gift. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to make you happy.
Until next time ✈️
Olivia Strickland
