Dogwood Mountain Arts

It is currently the end of October, which means it is time to start making Christmas gifts! Some may be excited, many will be overwhelmed… I am the latter. There are so many people you “could” make gifts for, but should you? I apologize, but I cannot determine that for you. If you desire to make short, inexpensive, possibly useful products to gift; this is for you. 

1. Coasters.
   1. If you are in the workplace, higher education, or have children that are taught by others, coasters may actually be a great idea. A set of 4 only takes a day or two, depending on your skill and available time. If gifted with a note, the note can include a well placed comment on how you hope it will be helpful or beneficial to their desk space, or work space. 
   2. If for a teacher; there are many stereotypical apples, flowers, kid-inspired patterns available on ravelry. However if you know the teacher’s style, go for something that matches them (a musician or music teacher may enjoy a music note for example).
   3. Seasonal people: there are those who LOVE every holiday. In that case a set of coasters that are holiday themed may suffice. Either a set of 4 christmas coasters, or one coaster for every season, or even one for each holiday; St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, 4th of july, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc…
   4. Gifting coasters for men: you can’t exactly gift a doily flower coaster to a football coach, but there are many patterns available that are suitable for even the “manliest of men”. Mug rugs (amusing name, but effective communication), simple neutral colored circle coasters, themed based on interest (baseball, football, music, books, hiking, etc…)
   5. Holiday Recommendation: A set of multiple kinds of peppermint coasters from Lil Crochet Shop to use for the whole christmas season.
2. Card holder
   1. This may not be as prevalent of an idea, but perfect to hold a small gift card or business card and it is easy enough to sew a snap on the top so the card doesn’t fall out. It is small and thin enough to fit inside a special occasion card as well.
   2. Holiday Recommendation: Here is a link to a pattern of a cute christmas tree card holder from HCcrochets on Etsy.
3. Amigurumi/Stuffed Animal
   1. I have gifted many animals and decorative amigurumi based on what niche I know a person may be interested in. I once even free-handed a Tantor (from Tarzan) because one of my friends was obsessed one summer, and a violin-playing stormtrooper for one of my college RA’s.
   2. The biggest benefit to one of these is the personalization of the gift. You can make a tiny turtle, a stuffed piano, a small chicken (or chicken pincushion), a mushroom person, a rolly polly cat, an anime-inspired pig, or an elegant little ballerina. 
   3. The downside is complexity. Many times these projects will take a little more time because of the complexity of making arms, legs, ears, attaching or sewing eyes, stuffing, and stitching up the parts. 
   4. Holiday Recommendation: This cute snowman is from KnottsMerryYarn on Etsy.
4. Small Wearables
   1. Hats can be quick, but difficult to get the size right if you don’t see the person often enough to gauge how big to make it.
   2. Fingerless gloves; great for men and women, just again, check sizing.
   3. Ear warmers are the easiest out of all of the wearables, because head-size is less applicable and there are many quick patterns.
   4. Holiday Recommendation: This earwarmer pattern is from BrianaKdesigns.

Choosing the right gift can be so difficult, but I hope this list has been helpful in picking just the right one to make for all these people in your life!

*note: I am not affiliate to any of these shop owners/designers. I do not receive any monetary benefit to promoting these patterns. I hope you enjoy them!