Though I really should be cleaning right now, I’m instead virtually trimming my tree and imagining decking my halls with cute stuff I’m finding all over the place. Since it’s probably too late to have anything shipped to Canada, I may have to get out the old sewing machine and use some of these fab finds as inspiration:

How cute is this mini stocking by Joo Sweetie?

I like these polar bear stockings from My Perennial too. I’m thinking maybe Henry would make a good stocking critter. Or the Bee Girl.

In the ornament category, I love these single spruce ornaments:

So simple and beautiful. You can get your own from One Gift One World’s Etsy shop.

In the reduce, reuse, recycle Christmas spirit, I love Hershey Is My Baby’s idea of turning old wood sweaters into the leaves of a holiday wreath:

These wood block Christmas trees made by Wood & Wool Stool are great too. So lovely in that rustic, cozy cabin sort of way.

And lastly, what would the season be without the holiday cards? I sold out of all of my winter-themed greeting cards a few weeks ago, so will definitely have to order a bigger run for next year. Until then, here are two cute ones that I’ve added to my favorites list:

OK, maybe not exactly Christmas-y, but awesome nonetheless – the Libre Chihuahua card from African Grey.

And for your quirky, hipster friends, Have an Ironic Christmas cards from Able and Game.

There are so many Christmas gift guides out right now that I’ve got presents bookmarked for the rest of the year. Let me share some of my favorites, starting with handmade gifts for the hipster on your list.

Hipster Stocking Stuffer:

moustache stickers by Chandar Chandar

I’m not sure when the moustache paraphernalia became a mainstay of hipsterdom, but there’s no mistaking it – hipsters love moustaches. And stickers. Combine the two? Gold! Check out the stickers here and the rest of Chandar Chandar’s odd little shop here.

For the Person Who Has Everything:

St. Expeditus – the patron saint of procrastinators

Heaven Help Us creates amulets for the forgotten patron saints and as soon as I saw the one for procrastinators I knew I was being divinely guided to his shop. Stuck in an office with a horrible cubicle mate? St. Therese, patron saint of people who are annoyed by the annoying habits of others. Sewing? St. Ann. Embroidery? St. Clair. Trekkies? St. Martin de Porres. There really IS a patron saint for everything!

For the Comic Book Geek:

emo Green Lantern by J Salvador

There is a whole series of these little guys that are so cute. I want them all! Unfortunately, so does everyone else. The artist has had to close his Etsy shop because the limited edition run of prints has already sold out. Still worth taking a peek through his sold section to see the whole gang. Super Emo Wonder Woman? *swoon*

For Your Sweetheart:

framed laser cut by Julene

Julene makes the most beautiful paper cuts with so much lovely detail. Where There Is Love is one of my favorites, but the Beez Kneez is high up there too, of course. If you have a particular message in mind, you can also commission an original paper cut on her website.

For Man’s Best Friend:

custom hand knit dog sweater by Jus Shar

Jus Shar makes all sorts of stuff, but if you have dogs that are slightly, um…svelter than the typical S-M-L options allow, what could be better than a custom knit dog sweater? Send her your pooch’s measurements, pick your colors & it will arrive in 2 to 3 weeks. Finding something to keep the pug warm in the winter is tough because he’s not *big*, but he has such a thick neck that he doesn’t fit the small or medium options. He’s pretty much the same size straight through!

For the Vintage Lover:

Victorian knit cuffs by Yarn Couture

These cuffs are so cute I’d want to wear them all year round. I’m picturing them with a pretty blouse or even dressing up a casual jersey top. So fab! Yarn Couture has got plenty of more traditional hand knit goods too from scarves and neck warmers to hats and afghans.

For the Dirty Girls (and Boys):

caramel latte exfoliating soap bar by Soap Rehab

Handmade soap is one of my guilty pleasures. It costs a little more, but the chance to have a daily dash of decadence is so worth it that I can’t resist the lure at my local craft shows. If you’re buying online, it’s often a good deal to buy in bulk. Soap is heavy to ship just one bar, so sellers will often use those flat rate shipping boxes where you can cram as many bars as will fit for one rate. All of Soap Rehab’s products are vegan too!

For…Me?:

Ulysses S. Bison III by Grand Ole Bestiary

I’ve had this buffalo gentleman art print by Grande Ole Bestiary in my favorites list for months now and at only $8.00 for a 5×7, it’s a steal. Hunting for the perfect vintage frame to put him in will be the real task.

Last, but not least:

hipsta, please button from Bean Forest

Just cuz it’s funny. Bean Forest has got so many cute, funny buttons that I could spend an hour digging through their shop. Excellent stocking stuffers, but you’d better order quick if you want them to arrive before xmas.

Happy shopping!

I love the charming papercut art of Jayme McGowan so hard. His shop, Roadside Projects, is filled with whimsical 3D creations that make the paper doll loving 9 year old in me squeal with joy. His blog is fab too with behind the scenes peeks at his process of creating.

While I’d really love to buy (OK…receive) one of his originals, the prints are also gorgeous and very affordable.

The Ring of Fire

With Christmas coming up soon, I’m starting to craft a gift giving plan. I like to make my own gifts as much as I can, partly because it’s a very expensive time of year and partly because it seems more meaningful when I give something not store bought or factory produced. Of course, this idea can backfire.

Two years ago I decided I wanted to make quilts for my family. I’ve never sewn anything more than a straight line to make curtains, but for some reason I got it into my head that making not one, but TWO quilts, all in time for Christmas, was a good idea. And ultimately it *was* a good idea – my mom & my sister both love the quilts I sent them & they’re used regularly. The bad idea came in when I was up until 3 a.m. finishing the quilts so I could pop them in the mail by the post office deadline. What started as a gift made with love turned into a gift that was literally keeping me up at night.

This year, I’ll plan better. And buy some things made by other people’s hands, which kicks off my Handmade Holidays series of crafty finds:

I’m sure I’ve mentioned before my love of This American Life. I listen to the podcast while I’m painting and have downloaded several mp3s to take on long road trips. The stories are always interesting and the host (my secret boyfriend) is Ira Glass, the nerd girl’s Brad Pitt. My real life boyfriend took me to see the live re-broadcast in a movie theatre a while back & it was so great to put a face to the dreamy voice I’d been swooning over for years. And now? I can put a finger to it too!

The Ira Glass finger puppet by Abbey Christine is just one of her cute creations. Equally awesome – Lloyd Dobler, Johnny Cash & Bob Ross. So cute!