Hi world! Chris here. Today I want to cover a topic I’ve actually gone over before in some of my older posts (AKA Christmas Craft Competition). That’s right, today we’re getting crafty again.

So, as I stated last week, I’ve really been getting into the idea of sustainable living, and one of the big parts of that lifestyle is trying to buy less. As someone that’s not rich, that sounds pretty good. However, as someone that lacks the talent of making things, it sounds . . . less good.

But, everyone has to start somewhere, right?

For me, I started in November. That’s my boyfriend’s birthday month, and we both agreed to keep things chill and not go overboard, so I thought I’d make him a gift rather than buy one. Cue a frantic Pinterest search as I struggled to find something I could make that he would like.

Enter, embroidery.

I saw this and knew I had to try it. We had just gone to the fair after all, and he is terrified of heights, but still insisted on riding the ferris wheel to the top.

Unfortunately, I had almost zero experience with sewing and embroidery and everything involving a needle, so my gift ended up coming out like this.

Looks kind of like a kindergartener’s attempt at redrawing a famous painting, right? Even so, it’s still hanging on his wall today because it’s something I personally made for him and it took time and a lot of effort. It’s not just something I picked up at a store that he might throw out in a few years (at least I hope he won’t). And really, I think that’s the magic in making things. Yeah, it’s more eco friendly to throw something together with materials you already have, but it’s also more meaningful. Even if you end up in pictures like this.

To be honest, it’s pretty accurate. I do act like an old lady a lot. But that’s beside the point.

Even though the gift was unconventional and not what he was expecting, he still loved it (or he just really loves me and didn’t want to tell me the truth). That’s why I carried this trend into Christmas too. Instead of emptying my bank account trying to get things on everyone’s Christmas list, I decided to make some of them instead.

My sister wanted western style ornaments for her tree, so I decided to give embroidery another chance and attempted to make her a replica of this.

It looks simple enough with a repeated satin stitch in different colors, but when I was finished, it ended up looking a bit more like . . . this.

Yeah. Not exactly the same. I mean, I used a smaller hoop so it makes sense in some ways, but, yeah.

For some reason though, she still hung it on her tree. And honestly, because it took me a few days to finish that bad boy, it felt really nice seeing her do that. I hope it’s still there next year. Better be.

I’m just kidding. It’s supposed to be a gift, so she can do whatever she wants with it. Which I’m mainly saying because I made my mom a bookmark, but I don’t think I’ve seen her use it yet and she reads every day. In her defense, it was supposed to look like this.

But then came out looking like this.

(Insert song “One of These Things is Not like the Other”)

This gift probably took the longest. I had never attempted to cross-stitch before and, oh my goodness, it is so hard. Takes absolutely forever and really wears out the eyes and cramps up your fingers. But, it was also so satisfying to watch the picture slowly grow across the fabric. Even if no one ever uses it ever, I’m still glad I made it. It was cool.

And afterward, I finally learned my lesson about trying to recreate cool things on Pinterest. It just doesn’t work. Ever.

So, for one of my boyfriend’s gifts, I decided to make him something original. AKA a Pokémon terrarium.

I had never made a terrarium before, but always wanted to try it. Turns out, it’s pretty easy. Just fill the bottom with rocks and maybe some activated charcoal then some websites advised putting down some moss that you cover with the soil, and then more moss that will be on top. From there, I put in some rocks for decoration, and the Pokémon figurines that I’ve been holding on to since I was a child. I’m a nerd. I know.

It’s like he had a bit of Pokémon Legends: Arceus before the game even came out. Okay, maybe not really, but I’m gonna say it anyways.

The most important thing is that he liked it. Like me, he really likes plants and is a huge dork, so it was right up his alley. And the same can be said for the western ornament going to my cowgirl sister, or the bookmark going to my bookworm mom. Even though they weren’t the coolest or best-looking gifts, they were thoughtful. And I worked really hard on them.

Just something to think about the next time a big holiday rolls around. Or someone’s birthday. Or you just feel like getting something for someone. Maybe you should make it instead.

None of my gifts were as good as the model I was making them after, but I still committed to them. Now, maybe if I do something similar next year, I’ll be able to see how much better I’ve gotten. Personally, I think that’ll make it even more fun.

Obviously this isn’t for everyone, but if it even interests you in the slightest, I suggest you go for it. The planet will thank you, the person you give it to will appreciate it, and you will probably end up having fun with it. It’s a win, win scenario.

If you’re not sure how to begin, search on YouTube. There are so many tutorials out there to help you get started. Personally, I didn’t really use any. I just kinda jumped in and gave it a whirl. Imagine how much better your projects will turn out if you actually look into them. Please send them to me and show me up.

I need that motivation to get better. And that’s only kind of a joke.

Seriously though, if you’ve made it this far in the post, thank you so much. You’re a real trooper. I hope you have a great day and I’ll see you next week. Until then, stay safe out there!