Craftsmas: how getting out of my head and into my hands is the quick fix for overthinking
Merry Craftsmas friends!
The holiday season is one of my FAVORITE crafting seasons of the year. It’s not that other seasons don’t contain crafts — it’s just that this season contains LOTS of crafts.
This week I want to share the gift of a realization that TRULY keeps on GIVING:
One of the quickest ways to get OUT of your head is to get INTO your body.
Let’s unpack that.
When I find myself knees deep in thought loops, comparison, thinking deeply — in a way that I’m not sure is actually productive. I know it’s time to get out of my head. Those ruminating thoughts quickly turn to thought loops and the reality is - I’m not usually one more minute of overthinking away from a break through - it usually means it’s time to take action or set down the journal for a moment.
We COULD dive right into taking action, but sometimes it’s important to put away the work and get our hands busy with something else.
In the summer for me, this can look like a walk, pickleball or softball with friends, gardening, rearranging furniture, cleaning or organizing. But can also look like one of my favorite things in the world: Crafting.
I’ve rounded up 10 of my FAVORITE holiday crafts and included them here for easy access:
Viral Ribbon Chain
Your classic Christmas paper chain but with a sustainable (and gorgeous) twist.
Iron on Sweatshirt
This one was SO fun to make! An idea from a friend turned into one of my favorite game day sweatshirts!
Clay Ornaments / Fridge Magnets / Tic Tac Toe
I made a BUNCH of these this summer and they’re making a come back as ornaments for the winter. But these little tic tac toe kits make for great on the go fun!
Hand Stamped Ornaments / Keychains
I LOVED making these as holiday ornaments and now they make the PERFECT host / hostess gift, wedding extra, etc.
Dried Orange Garland
I made this a few years ago and it may be hanging in our house 24-7. I just LOVE it.
Painted Candles
The first time around I painted these with hot candle wax. It’s a tricky skill. If I do it again, I’ll do it with regular paint. Again a great gift or fun display item!
Homemade Body Scrub
This one is not so much craft… but same idea! We made this as a gift for my brother and sister in law as they finished a big bathroom project as a congratulations and I’ve been making them at home for myself ever since!
Candle Making
I love saving up old candle jars that I love and repurposing them or refilling them with wax + scents to make more candles. I often buy candles with jars I love so this gives them a great second life!
Finger Knit Headbands
To be honest I never had the patience for knitting… but finger knitting?! So much faster and easier in my book. You basically use your fingers as the needles. It goes quick and then you stitch together your rows into a headband.
Homemade Wrapping Paper
This tradition started years ago but has quickly become something I look forward to EVERY year (and now something I get asked about on IG all the time once the clock strikes December). I get brown craft wrapping paper and draw to my hearts content!
Honestly the list could go on and on…
Beaded bracelets, homemade heating pads, hand drawn cards. You get the picture.
I got really lucky in growing up with a crafty mom and now I get to impart that joy on all of my friends!
The most important thing to remember when it comes to crafting.
There is no “WRONG” in crafting.
I've heard this for YEARSSSS doing branding + design - that a lot of you claim to not be creative. But to me, creativity is where we get to set down expectation and choose curiosity + play instead. You can't do anything wrong, you just get to play and see how it goes.
Happy Crafting friends!!
