Summer Preparation for a Crafty Christmas

It's definitely not cold outside, and if you hear a large bellied "ho ho ho," it's probably going to be followed by a splash. With school starting back soon and the beach season coming to a close, Christmas is probably the last thing on your mind. For those craftier gift-givers out there, though, perhaps it's not too early to think about future projects for friends and family.

Between craft gifts and Church sales, there's no small need for materials when the holidays roll around. But some goods are hard to find during the Christmas season, and other craft projects require advanced preparation that you simply won't have time for when the chaos of the holidays is in full bloom. Here are a few items you might want to gather while the weather is still warm:

Oils and Incense

From soaps to potpourri to candles, the need for scents is a must. Do you enjoy these crafts? Or do you have a great book on soap making or candle pouring that you've always wanted to reference? Now would be the time to prepare for these gifts. Soaps, for example, don't take long to stir together but between preparation time and curing time, they might take up to several months to finish. Now is the time to gather materials for these gifts so that you're not stuck buying commercial goods last minute like everyone else who "didn't" start working early.

While flea markets and summer festivals are still taking place, look for spicy scents for the holidays and old favorites for friends and family. Gathering the ingredients early might make the difference between a gift that will wow the party and a generic, store-bought present.

Dried Flowers

Speaking of potpourri, if you haven't already started, now would be a great time to gather decorative flowers and plants for pressing or drying. Dried flowers can be used for almost everything, from the crafts mentioned above to picture frames, decoupage containers, journal covers, cards, or even home-made bookmarks. However, drying flowers takes time, up to several weeks, but once they're saved from decay causing moisture, they last a long time. Dried flowers add an especially intimate touch to any gift, but if you plan to use them this holiday, now is the time to gather and prepare your favorite flora.

Discounted Ribbons and Materials

While most discounted items in the fabric and crafts sections of your local store will be summer items, that doesn't mean there are no treasures to be found. By the time the holidays arrive, materials for throws and pillows will be priced to meet demand, and your great idea to make something special for your friends and family may be undone. Take advantage of clearance prices and take a good look at the goods that might not be around during the holidays.

Photos

Perhaps the most important item to gather in the warm season, photographs can be used in nearly every project imaginable. Or they can simply be developed and put in a frame. However, getting a large group of people together during the fall rush is no easy task. While friends are still willing to get outside in the warm weather, take advantage of their presence and make plenty of decent photographs. Keep your Christmas projects in mind: what kind of photos do you need? Will you require random snapshots or planned group pictures? Photos will be a special addition to any Christmas gift, and the only thing hard about using them is getting the right shot. So get the shot early and stay prepared!