Not new, but sharing a hand crocheted XL (for those 13 x 9 size pans/pizza pans etc.) pot holder I created and gifted one Christmas. I made one for each of my sibling's family, Mom, and a few friends one year for Christmas. I used to put together a box or container of handmade gifts for each family, and had so much fun creating the gifts too. As one blogger stated recently, life requires us to make "adjustments" sometimes. I have a few local people to gift this Christmas, and it's not happening this year. I had plans to can a ton of "Christmas" jelly, but it will have to wait until Holiday season of 2026.
Note: My husband is already trying to assist, and help can jelly sometime after late January. He's so sneaky really.
I have looked into adopting a person in a nursing home/assisted living facility. I plan to keep that a year long commitment if I can locate a facility. Many facilities are doing things like fill a stocking for someone etc. I am looking for someone who gets zero visitors. It's harder than you think, as most out reach programs help kids more than single elderly adults. I will be asking around with the local people as well.
Another past gift item for Christmas . . .
I may have shared these before. Sorry if it's a repeat. Not much going on, other than decorating right now.
Homemade Vapo-Rub
Herb garden, home grown rosemary, dehydrated and put into recycled jars. I also included a recipe to use the rosemary. Even the kids bus driver was gifted rosemary that year.
Every year I had fun coming up with unique, useful homemade/handmade gift ideas (one post here, what I gifted in 2015).
The Christmas decorations have made their way out of storage, thanks to my husband. I am slowly, going through all of it, and filling a box of donations, and some actually were so worn out they went into the trash (no kidding there).
I have a pile of duplicate handmade ornaments for the kids to look through. I used to make a new ornament to gift every single year, and the extras must have made their way to the Christmas totes. Whatever they do not want, will be donated to an area 55+ living facility (to put on their "free items" table).
Many of the older decorations are retiring and moving on to a new home (not handmade). I found items that belonged to the kids and their past homes (after moving back in again, leaving things behind). I found ornaments that the kids bought and they no longer want, and even childhood stockings.
It is simply a good time to sort it all, purge, toss, and narrow it down to a better collection of decorations.
I have about two or three new recipes to try, but have yet to try any of them. Two advent gift bags were delivered (one left to deal with). The Christmas tree is up and is being decorated. yes, we still put up a tree, even if no one comes home for the holidays. It brings cheer to the homestead. I am about halfway done with the larger lap afghan crochet gift.
As for house cleaning for the holidays, I really need to clean my oven, but it may not happen until after Christmas.
5 Weeks Until Christmas © November 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart
