Celebrating the Joy of Handmade Christmas Gifts For My Family.
For the third year in a row, I’ve continued the tradition of stitching a small cross-stitch piece for each of my family members at Christmas. This tradition has brought so much joy to our holidays, and I’m so glad I started it. This year, I crafted pieces inspired by each of their unique interests and passions, from Studio Ghibli to Animal Crossing and even a favourite Pokémon.
Here’s a closer look at the handmade gifts I created for my loved ones this year.
Totoro in the Rain: A Gift for My Youngest Daughter
This year, my youngest daughter fell in love with Studio Ghibli films, especially My Neighbor Totoro. She absolutely adores Totoro, so I stitched a piece featuring the funny creature standing in the rain with his iconic blue umbrella. The piece was based on a pattern by Colorfully Sarah, and I loved how it captured the charm and whimsy of the movie.
When she unwrapped her gift, she squealed with joy and danced around the room, clutching the piece tightly. Seeing her so happy made every stitch worthwhile.
Isabelle with Trinkets: A Gift for My Oldest Daughter
My oldest daughter’s love for Animal Crossing: New Horizons continued strong this year, so I created another ACNH-inspired piece for her. This design featured Isabelle, a balloon present, the iconic green leaf, and some decorative flowers. It was a cheerful, colourful nod to her favourite game and was also inspired by a pattern from Colorfully Sarah.
Her reaction? She hugged the piece tightly to her chest and smiled ear to ear. Moments like that remind me why I love making handmade gifts.
Gengar, the Favourite: A Gift for My Husband
My husband has always been a fan of Pokémon, and his favourite is Gengar. For his gift, I stitched a simple yet striking/iconic piece of Gengar, adding a few dots of purple around the design for some extra flair. This pattern was also from Colorfully Sarah, whose designs truly were perfect for me to use as a base for gifts this year.
While he’s not one for big reactions, I did get a smile and a heartfelt “thank you” when he opened his gift. I’m pretty sure he wasn’t expecting a handmade surprise again this year!
The Joy of Handmade Giving
Every year, brainstorming, designing, and stitching these pieces has brought me immense joy and 2024 was no different. There’s something magical about creating a gift that’s truly one of a kind. At the same time, gifting handmade pieces can feel nerve-wracking. It’s not just a physical item—it’s a piece of your heart, your time, and your care. And you're entrusting that the recipient will love those parts of you that they're receiving.
But seeing the joy on my family’s faces makes it all worth it..!
If you’re curious about my stitching journey, you can watch FlossTube episode #89 to see these finished pieces and hear more about the process. The designs I used were based on patterns from Colorfully Sarah, whose patterns I recommend for other stitchers. And if you’d like a custom piece made for yourself or a loved one, visit my Request a Quote page to explore what’s possible & start chatting with me about what you're looking for today.
Here’s to another year of stitching and spreading joy, one stitch at a time!
