jenn- Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 This year I am wanting to do a more handcrafted Christmas for my contribution to the kids' Christmas (DH likes to shop for the kids as well). Unforunately with the kids here with me 24/7 it is hard to make stuff they don't see me working on. By the time they get in bed I can barely motivate myself to surf the web much less grab out my crafting stuff. How do you guys get crafty stuff made as presents? Do your kids just know what they are getting and watch you make it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celticmom Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 :lurk5: I have the same problem. Dd does spend time at her grandmother's house on most weeks and that is when I have gotten some things done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 I stayed up late sewing one Christmas season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
readinmom Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 Maybe an earlier bedtime? I am thinking I will be up until 1:00 a.m. some evenings before Christmas just so I can work undetected, undisturbed. It gets harder as they get older! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5LittleMonkeys Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 I start before December and I stay up late. I started about a week ago working on dresses for dd9 and dd3. Dd3 goes to bed at 8, and Dd9 goes to bed at 9 so I usually get about 2 hours of work done before I go to bed. The really annoying part for me is having to put the dresses in progress away each night...It would be so much easier if I could leave everything laid out. I've tried sneaking in some work while they are upstairs playing but it's too stressful. I feel like I'm a MI agent trying to set a bomb or something and if someone catches me I have to sacrifice myself and set for immediate self destruct.! :scared: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorien Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 Some things have been seen, some they haven't seen. I have to work on things really late at night if I don't want the kids to see, so it comes down to a matter of importance. Which matters most: keeping it secret, or making that special something for them to enjoy? Our kids don't seem to mind if they know some of what they're getting. They still have the fun of waiting, and sometimes they forget so they are surprised all over again. (Note: we work hard to ensure that their main presents are kept well hidden - they usually only see stocking stuffers or smaller gifts.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommee & Baba Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 My kids go to AWANA for an hour every Wednesday. Thankfully the Church isn't but 5 minutes from our home so I'm able to come home and sew for atleast 35 minutes at a time. I also get up earlier than the kids each morning giving me atleast an hour to sew. Right now sewing at night is out of the question as ds sleeps with dh & I and we all retire to bed at the same time each night, I can't imagine getting back up to sew! I start Christmas sewing REALLY early in the year just because of the restrictions we have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenn- Posted November 20, 2012 Author Share Posted November 20, 2012 Ah, so the trick is not to procrastinate until the last second and try to cram it all in. What is everyone making this year? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrapbookbuzz Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 Or, like me, you just don't sew! :laugh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshin Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 We have "elfing time" because my kids make their own gifts for each other and family. Signs instructing others to keep out are affixed to doors, crafts supplies are smuggled into rooms, and we all spend an hour or two a couple of times a week working on gifts. The boys usually retreat to their rooms to create, while I work in my office/school room with the door closed. We know we are working on presents, but we don't know what we are making. If a child knocks on my door, I step out of the room to talk with them (although they do try to peek around me for the 2.5 seconds the door is open!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElizabethB Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 Quiet time? Knock first with quiet time so you can hide things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holly Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 I spend a bit of time early in the morning or on the weekends when DH is home. I stay away from large projects, so that helps too...I like to finish each project within an hour or two. My DC participate in Sunday school, and they usually have a last minute practice on the weekend before...great time to work on gifts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claire up north Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 I just say, " I'm going to work on some presents now. Stay upstairs or risk ruining your surprise." it's actually very funny to see them fumble about looking for some essential gadget with their eyes squeezed shut! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangermom Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 I lock myself in my sewing room and announce that no one can come in on pain of No Christmas Surprise. I'm sewing a whole bunch of stuff--a messenger bag, some stuffed owls, a couple of blankets, and I'd like to do a couple of dresses but that probably won't happen in time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jujsky Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 This year I am wanting to do a more handcrafted Christmas for my contribution to the kids' Christmas (DH likes to shop for the kids as well). Unforunately with the kids here with me 24/7 it is hard to make stuff they don't see me working on. By the time they get in bed I can barely motivate myself to surf the web much less grab out my crafting stuff. How do you guys get crafty stuff made as presents? Do your kids just know what they are getting and watch you make it? If I'm making them something, they usually know about it. I used to try to keep it a surprise, but ran into the same problems you're having -- there's little free time when they're not around and I'm not wiped out. I made them rag quilts this year. They picked out which pattern they wanted and gave me an idea of colors. They saw some of the fabric in the house while I was cutting it out, but I was able to sew them together while the kids were gone with their grandparents for a week this summer. They know they're getting them, but haven't seen the final product. DD asked me a couple weeks ago if I would make Disney princess dresses for her American Girl dolls. At first I wasn't going to do it due to time constraints, but really, how long is she going to ask me to make her American Girl clothes? I bought the pattern and fabric while she was in dance class last weekend and told her that I'm making her the dresses, but they may not be ready in time for Christmas. I took this week off from school and want to work on them. There's no way I could do that without telling her. She can't see them finished and on the dolls until she gets them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 We have "elfing time" because my kids make their own gifts for each other and family. Signs instructing others to keep out are affixed to doors, crafts supplies are smuggled into rooms, and we all spend an hour or two a couple of times a week working on gifts. The boys usually retreat to their rooms to create, while I work in my office/school room with the door closed. We know we are working on presents, but we don't know what we are making. If a child knocks on my door, I step out of the room to talk with them (although they do try to peek around me for the 2.5 seconds the door is open!) What a good idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delirium Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 I sew when she takes her extra curricular classes or when she's in bed or lie and ask her if she thinks her cousin will like wahtever it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alte Veste Academy Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 We have "elfing time" because my kids make their own gifts for each other and family. Signs instructing others to keep out are affixed to doors, crafts supplies are smuggled into rooms, and we all spend an hour or two a couple of times a week working on gifts. The boys usually retreat to their rooms to create, while I work in my office/school room with the door closed. We know we are working on presents, but we don't know what we are making. If a child knocks on my door, I step out of the room to talk with them (although they do try to peek around me for the 2.5 seconds the door is open!) :001_wub: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saraha Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 We have a quiet time everyday with everyone in their rooms to work on school packets, nap, read, whatever. I do it during that time. If you don't already have a quiet time, could you make it your oldest's "job" to plan activities to keep everyone busy in a bedroom? Or plan a project to make for you/dad/grandma? How about setting up a movie with popcorn etc to buy you an hour? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.