Tree was made from a cinnamon stick, fake evergreen cut, and buttons. The candy apple ornament was a mini muffin wrapper, a small apple ornament dipped in glue and bird seed.
Drum was made from half a toilet paper tube, craft foam for the top and bottom, felt and ribbon, and the drum sticks were painted tooth picks with tiny pom poms glued on. Yes, they took forever to make, and back then, I didn't blink an eye on how much time they took to make.
A small bit of all of my duplicate handmade Christmas ornaments. I could not believe how many duplicates worked their way to the Christmas storage totes (Three more totes to go through yet). Good grief. Anyway, the story behind them all. . .
When the kids were in elementary school, I would race to the school and sign up for room parent for their Christmas party first. My second choice was always Valentine's Day when the lists were full.
Anyway, for some crazy reason, I fell in love with making ornaments, and when I was a Christmas party room Mom, I came up with a handmade ornament. I made one for every single kid in the class, and I hand wrapped each one, so every kid had one to open. Yes, I did that. Some years there could be almost 30 students too.
In the process of the ornament making, my family got one every Christmas too. Ha! Probably way too many, but they got one too.
I would go to our large area library, and check out every single handmade ornament books they had, and then some. I would get ideas, or in some cases, even patterns (I made a LOT over the years).
The duplicate pile was loaded into a box, and the kids got to pick out any they wanted. The rest will be donated to a nursing home or if I hear of a family in need.
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As for what's happening for this up coming Christmas?
First, I realized when I bought dye free, non-gmo cookie sprinkles for the advent gifts, I did not buy us any. I had to find them again (not easy to find in the area here).
I have started yet another crochet project related to Christmas, but it's on the slowdown time, for an idea for next year (too late for this year). More on that later I think. I saw the idea on facebook one day (ha ha! Social media at it's best to influence us).
Two advent gift bags delivered. One more to deliver yet.
I have yet to get a Christmas grave blanket/or saddle for Mom and Dad's headstones. I will not be able to make them myself, and may not even be able to deliver them this coming month. In the past, I did a barter with an acquaintance, and she made us two.
I have my 2026 planner now, and there is a section for "projects" in it, so that is where "Christmas 2026" will be kept noted and organized.
We have talked to someone we know, who is not working and could use the extra money over the next month. We may have found someone to help with a few home repairs before or after Christmas. We are not done painting, and took a long break from it.
4 Weeks Until Christmas © November 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart
