Oh my, this last week has been busy. Yesterday and today were busy. Tomorrow, and the day after that, and every day now until we break up for the Christmas holidays on Friday 20th December, will be the same. I've given in to it. Life is full and rich and I wouldn't have it any other way, but I am starting to get the feeling that I'm living in an anxiety dream and I've gone to the supermarket in my underwear. I've still got lots of Christmas presents to make...seven in fact. I am worrying that they will not be done. I have a birthday party to plan from scratch and carry out, cakes, balloons and party bags and all the other things. Christmas cards to write, presents still to buy. It's time to write a Really Good List.
So today, in a free half hour between coming back from the post office and going to help in school for the afternoon, I made these little gifts. You might think it a silly use of my time but activity like this relaxes me. Other might meditate, but I put the kettle on, turn on the radio and make something. It was a pleasing task in that it required very little time or skill, but looks pretty and festive, and cost very little - about £1 per jar I would guess.
You need:
Jam jars - the sort that contain pesto are just the right shape and size.
Small plastic deer, one for each jar. I bought these.
Ribbon - any colours but I opted to match the sweets.
Sweets to fill the jars.
I chose to spray my jar lids white as I had some white spray paint in the garage left over from various crafty things last summer. I then glued the deer to the lids with a glue gun as I didn't think PVA glue would secure them well enough, then filled the jar with sweets, tied a ribbon around it and called it an emergency Christmas present.
I filled three jars with red, white and green jelly beans. I bought a huge box a few weeks ago, ate all the pink, orange and yellow sweets and saved the rest for these jars. I used marshmallows and chocolate coins for the others.
I especially love the look of the shiny wrapped coins.
It was good to spend a moment doing this. A small job done. I haven't even had time to bring the Christmas boxes down from the loft yet - the only Christmas decorating I've done is hang the advent calendar. I'll make a start this week. How about you? Have you started to decorate you home yet? Are you busy too? This time of year - it's crazy but I do love it.
They are fab, and make me giggle a little too!!! What a clever idea. I shall be borrowing forthwith.
ReplyDeleteLeanne xx
What a fab idea once again Gillian! I've not done a thing yet, but plan on a bit of home decorating tomorrow. As soon as the tree's up and dressed it makes me feel like things are moving the right way. It's scarily close now isn't it?!!! :) x
ReplyDeleteBrilliant idea, so festive and fun! I'm in the same boat - too much to do, too little time. Let's hang on and enjoy the ride, and whistle "Jingle Bells" while we're at it! ;-) Chrissie x
ReplyDeleteThese are lovely, and you deserve a little breather if you are to face the onslaught of Christmas. A wise person I know talks about the need to find a 'shaft of stillness' within your day when you can just relax and this sounds perfect, as well as swelling the spare present stocks.
ReplyDeleteThese are so cute ... a great idea for stashing for emergencies ... same here with the decorating ... the advent calendar is up but that is all ... I am hoping to get the tree up this weekend ... we are in the throes of decorating upstairs and I am navigating mess each time I climb the stairs ... not sure if it was my best idea but it is was it is ... enjoy the rest of your week ,,, Bee xx
ReplyDeleteNot silly at all, it's exactly the same thing I do when I'm stressed. Today I cross-stitched on 28-count Cashel linen to relax, what a nutjob. I really like the way these came out. I think they look very festive and pretty, and who doesn't love jellybeans? I'm done decorating but only because we decorate very little. We moved around too much in the early years to amass a big collection of holiday decor so there's just a little bit, mostly the Christmas tree and dining-room table decorations. Maybe a little sparse by most standards but it's easy to put up and take down and requires little storage space.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely idea and a good use of time. Loving the reindeer, will have to try and find some :) xx
ReplyDeleteSuch a good idea and I understand the idea of doing something gentle to help relax. Good luck with your list making, planning and present making. I hope that it all goes well for you. xx
ReplyDeleteAlice wanted to start feeling festive on Sunday, the first day of December, so she decorated her little pink tree she has in her room every year, other than that I have done nothing Gillian. Work has swallowed me up, but I think I might do something this weekend. I am knitting a cardigan fir my 20 month old niece and have a couple more things to make too. I sent off mt Christmas cards that go abroad yesterday which is always a relief to get them there on time. I love this great idea and anything to do with deers and reindeers cheers me at this time of year. Glad you are enjoying the happy busy times xxx Penny
ReplyDeleteI've been following you and plagiarising all your ideas!! The sugar scrub was great, I used a sweet orange oil and made it for the kids teachers and some family members. I am going to make these jars too!! I've also been knitting and sewing furiously. Am also worried about finishing in time but am just going to keep plugging away. No stress!!!!
ReplyDeleteMartha Stewart eat your heart out! they are super cute, if anyone gave me one of those I would be really happy!
ReplyDeleteWow, you have a busy month ahead of you, but I know you will get it all done… one day at a time. We have finished our Christmas decorating. I picked up a Poinsettia plant over the weekend, and that was last on my list for decorating. I am happy to have it all done. Since we are back to home-schooling Charlotte, for now, we are not super busy with school activities… which is nice. I don't like to be too busy, as I can easily feel overwhelmed and stressed. But I do like to have a few things going on… we will probably have friends over for dinner this month, and Charlotte is having a friend over soon to make Christmas cookies with, and maybe an outing to see Christmas lights soon. I ordered my Christmas cards yesterday, and I am almost finished with my shopping. The treat-filled jars are really adorable… such a cute idea!
ReplyDeleteThe one with the coins is so stylish! Well done!
ReplyDeleteI just realized that I still have to buy presents for 3 people and this wasn't planned in my budget. :( No decorating yet, I will postpone it till the last week of December.
That is such a brilliant idea and make lovely simple gifts. No decorating here as I don' t know where anything is as you have probably guessed by now. Take care and don't overdo it.
ReplyDeleteI love the jars...such a wonderful idea. I have finished our decorating as it consists of 3 or 4 decorations just to make it seems like it sis Christmas around here. We are in a state of "temporary living with very, very little space. But looking forward to next year :) great job on the jars :)
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of emergency presents and the jars look great. Eating the 'wrong coloured' sweets sounds like something only the Mum of the family is allowed to do.......Sarah
ReplyDeleteI so know what you mean about the anxious thing....same here. I've made a list, but don't want to think too hard as it's a little too scary....three weeks! Love your christmassy jars, such a great idea, and I like to craft when I'm busy too.
ReplyDeleteLove these little gifts, especially the little reindeer on the top. xx
ReplyDeleteI sympathise very much with your anxiety dream thing and very much agree lists are the way to go even if one doesn't complete everything on them - somehow it feels safer when things are committed onto paper! I love your jars - such a simple yet clever idea and I suspect a very good investment of the time you have as you know you have these to fall back on should other pressies not get bought or made. I hope you enjoy the next few weeks despite the busyness! E x
ReplyDeleteI am a go with the flow girl so there is some stuff done and some stuff not and it won't be the end of the world if it isn't! I love those jars though that is a good present done so effectively. Jo x
ReplyDeleteThey are great Gillian! And I love how you ate all the coloured sweets that didn't go with the jars! x
ReplyDeleteHi Gillian, You are so funny!!! but seriously, love the jars!!!! Easy peezy!!! Have a great day!!!
ReplyDeleteLove
AMarie
Dear Gillian
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I am particularly drawn to the chocolate coins jar. Enjoy the Christmas busyness.
Best wishes
Ellie
Gillian these are wonderful!! I'm feeling a little anxious myself...to add to the Christmas and Birthday prep, we decided to have a Christmas party for our friends...it has suddenly dawned on me it is this Saturday and my husband is at work all day!!!!! agghhhh I must follow your example and write a To Do list. Have a super week, Sarah xo
ReplyDeleteThese are so gorgeous Gillian and I am sure the kids will just love opening these on Christmas. Love the pretty deer too. It seems like you are super busy, but clearly having fun xoxo
ReplyDeleteHi Gillian
ReplyDeleteYou are so clever, such a simple idea but utterly gorgeous, and I'm guessing a lot of fun to do.
Completely with you on crafting to de-stress.
Kate x
These are CUTE!!!
ReplyDeleteYes, it's mad here too. I haven't got the tree up or even started thinking about CHristmas yet. It's just all the end-of-year school stuff, concerts and christmas parties etc. We've got one more family birthday this weekend then we'll do the tree…..good luck for the next few days :-) Mel xxx
Wonderful idea... They look really great and will make lovely presents. Busy here too as we have Saint Nicolas before Xmas...
ReplyDeleteAnother great idea! These look so lovely and the little deer are so cute.
ReplyDeleteMarianne x
These presents are wonderful and adding the reindeers on the jar lids is so clever- it makes the jar look like something bought from a shop. Sooo creative!
ReplyDeleteI haven't finished any presents yet or write our cards but I don't want to get stressed about it. Fingers crossed they'll all get done in time.
Marion x
Love the jars makes a great little gift... Have some jars left over from jam making might have to use this idea. Could make some fudge.
ReplyDeleteBusy at work so our Christmas is still in boxes up stairs in the atic and un-warped presents are under the bed....there's weeeeeks left..... Is'nt there!!
It was a perfect use of your time, you were happy creating and you made three great gifts.
ReplyDeleteWell done,
Meredith
Love them - and especially like that you ate the pink and orange sweets. Seems like a good plan! :) x
ReplyDeleteThey look great Gillian! I've still got quite a bit to do for Christmas but am just taking it easy :-) x
ReplyDeletelovely Gillian, I particularly like the look of the marsh mellows! I will wait a while to decorate, but I want to go up in the loft and find my advent star, also I think a nice candle in the evenings is really nice now. Heather x
ReplyDeletelove these jars Gillian - such a good idea!
ReplyDeleteSuper idea Gillian! I did pastel farm animals at Easter with mini eggs but never thought of buying deer. Might have to top up a few prezzies with something similar if you don't mind. Having said 'top up' actually no one has anything yet! Opened the advent calendar at school today and couldn't believe we were on door 5 already. Too many plays, carol services, lunches and parties to think about.
ReplyDeleteEllie x
Ooh such visual pleasure! I completely understand how making something is a way to relax.Lovely idea! xx
ReplyDeleteI would LOVE to get one of these, they are simply brilliant, might be a bit of copying going on in Edinburgh very soon, sure you don't mind. katie x
ReplyDeletePromotional Models Miami -Runway Waiters have vast experience working events for a range of industries including fashion, design, entertainment, music, film & luxury lifestyle in Miami, Los Angeles & New York.
ReplyDeleteThese look so pretty, a great use of a spare half hour. Love the deer, they finish the jars off perfectly, as do the white lids. Good luck with the Christmas making. I need some luck for mine!
ReplyDeleteI am avoiding the Christmas madness with a vengeance. No decorations up here yet! Presents still to be made but not too many so am thinking I will done in time :)
ReplyDeleteGreat idea- loved the fact you ate all the other colours of the jelly beans- I would so do that too! The silver coins do look great don't they? Thanks for sharing:)
ReplyDeleteI like the jars - great idea. I've decided to 'get real' and maybe give one home made gift to each recipient rather than go entirely home made. The pressure's off a bit now, but I'm starting in January for next year, pacing myself and all that.
ReplyDeleteAlthough by new year I'll probably be suffering from Christmas fatigue and avoiding anything vaguely festive!
I'm hyperventilating slightly thinking about it all. The jars are lovely, I especially love the red, white and green jelly beans - well done you for eating all the pink, orange and yellow ones. Good luck with all the making.
ReplyDeleteAnother home made gift triumph, they look really good. The reindeer are so sweet.
ReplyDeleteLisa x
Fab idea looks really effective xx
ReplyDeleteThey look so happy altogether. And I can just see the happy faces opening them. I've been busy but only with work. Haven't really got my Christmas head in gear yet!
ReplyDeleteLove your treat jars Gillian and totally, totally get your pre Christmas mild panic. Same boat at our place, but I just pulled off the five year old party and now have the rest of this week to do all my Christmas shopping before the kids are out of school. Us Aussies manage to cram Christmas, the end of the school year and hot summer heat all in together - total chaos really. But when I collapse at the beach in two weeks all will be well!
ReplyDeleteHi friends, its great post about cultureand entirely explained, keep it up all the
ReplyDeletetime.
Take a look at my homepage :: flat irons ()
What a information of un-ambiguity and preserveness of valuable knowledge about
ReplyDeleteunexpected emotions.
My blog post: clutch discs (thanking.com)
Good day! I know this is kinda off topic but
ReplyDeleteI was wondering if you knew where I could locate a captcha plugin for
my comment form? I'm using the same blog platform as yours and I'm having problems finding one?
Thanks a lot!
My webpage beauty parlor ()