Last Minute Christmas

It’s true that the term “last minute” will mean different things to different people. When it comes to Christmas, for some of us preparations began in January, with wrapping paper and various gifts purchased in the January sales and tucked away in clever caches, to be added to over the year.

Those of us whose products or services relate to Christmas and Christmas gifts will be getting ready for the big push months in advance. There are Craft fairs to prepare for and attend with everything that entails including public liability insurance for craft fairs UK to purchase. Anyone planning in this way might view last-minute preparation as anything that takes place in December…

For others, Christmas begins in December, with a whirl of gift purchases and social activity with family, friends and colleagues. It only starts to slow down once the turkey and the last mince pie have been polished off on Christmas Day.

For some, Christmas starts somewhere around the evening of the staff Christmas party when the panic begins to set in that not a single gift has been purchased or decoration put up. Everybody is asking about how the Christmas preparations are going but it’s difficult to give an honest answer!

Wherever you fall on the spectrum of Christmas readiness, here are a few ideas that might add to your Christmas and help to make any preparations less stressful, especially if you are busy at craft fairs with the sales of handcrafted goods at the busiest time of your year!

Christmas Tree

If you can, why not head out to the countryside on a sunny day in November or early December and buy a freshly cut Christmas tree? They can be cut and purchased early from Christmas Tree farms (as they’ll be growing in the ground) and they’ll last throughout the Christmas season without shedding needles. (As long as you don’t put them too near radiators or other heat sources they’ll be more likely to dry out). Besides, if you get the tree up early, there’ll be plenty of opportunities to enlist help to decorate it, and there will be no hurry to do so.

Christmas starts with the smell.

Smells can be so evocative and the smell of Christmas is bound to get you in the Christmas spirit and thinking forward to the big day! Scented homemade candles and wax melts perfumed with cinnamon, orange, gingerbread, cloves or pine instantly bring a Christmas mood to the home and they usually last for ages too.

Christmas Decorations – start outside

Decorating at Christmas should be enjoyable and it doesn’t have to cost the earth! Wreaths are a great idea as wreath rings are cheap with some florist wire to hold everything in place. Then get creative with greenery, spare baubles and whatever else you can find! Alternatively, have a look online and buy one. Hanging up wreaths outside your doors signals that as far as you are concerned, the Christmas season has started!

Christmas Decorations inside

It’s easy to get into the Christmas spirit when you hear Christmas music and twinkly lights but trying to fit in putting up the decorations can be overwhelming!

One idea to cut back on the time is to choose only one or two areas of your home to decorate and leave it at that. It might be that you stick to decorating the tree, or choose a prominent surface to decorate like the fireplace mantel. Or maybe keep decorations simple – for example, by using lights or natural decorations like pinecones, greenery, twigs with berries, nuts and cinnamon sticks.

Christmas Gifts

If you tend to put off buying gifts as you have no idea what to get, why not switch it up this year? Set some time aside in early December and devote it to thinking about gifts. Think about the lifestyle, interests & hobbies that your loved ones have. Next, consider what type of gift they’d make the most use of. Think about what they like to do in their spare time, or how they like to spend their day-to-day.

If all else fails – here are some ideas for gifts that never grow tired…

Handmade jewellery

Jewellery is among the gifts that will always be appreciated by the recipient. The gift of handmade or personalised jewellery is a beautiful gesture that speaks to the heart.

Nightwear

Another gift that brings a lot of comfort at Christmastime is pyjamas, socks and slippers! Quality or luxury pyjamas are a lovely thing to have as they are something that people are less likely to buy for themselves. Comfy slippers or woollen, handmade socks might seem a bit boring but if they are thick, luxurious and warm, they make a delightful gift.

A nice travel bag

A sturdy canvas or leather travel bag, should last for years, however your loved one chooses to use it!

The gift of a pastime

Christmas is the perfect time to usher in a new interest or passion. The gift of a sewing box, painting set, chemistry set or a “how to” book can be the start of a pastime that brings lifelong pleasure or even a career!

For all our clients who have already been travelling the country selling Christmas wares at craft fairs, we wish you all the best. And if you are just starting on the circuit, be sure to have your public liability insurance for Craft Fairs UK in place before you go! Simply give us a call on the office number and either Naomi or Sam will be happy to advise you as to which public liability insurance for craft fairs UK is right for your business.