Where to Find Christmas Craft Patterns, Ideas and Projects

My family has always been big on the idea of a "traditional" Christmas. You know, the kind of Christmas that includes gifts from the heart (like Christmas crafts) instead of mass-produced, commercial products that are just like what everyone else on the block is getting. As a child, I didn't really get why it was so important, but as an adult with a child of my own ... it means a lot more to me.

The whole idea of commercializing the holiday is something that gets under my skin more and more every year. This year, a local grocery store began putting up Christmas trees and decorations weeks before Halloween had arrived. Strangely enough, it wasn't me who brought it up - it was my 9-yr-old daughter who made a face and asked, "Why are they doing that already?"

So my Christmas list usually starts months in advance. I start scouring the web for Christmas craft patterns, projects, and ideas. As I find great patterns, the links start piling up in a specific folder on my bookmarks list. Then, I get to start crafting all the lovely Christmas gifts I'm going to give out this year.

Are you looking for the more traditional feel of Christmas, or just need some Christmas craft projects for the winter break? Keep reading - these sites are the best of the best this holiday season.

You Can Make This

Make your own Christmas gifts this year with the great Christmas craft patterns on this website. Seriously, it's listed first for a reason: it's a fantastic site.

Boasting a huge variety of craft categories, you can find ideas for Christmas crafts that aren't directly "Christmas-y", and you can find many that are perfect for spicing up your house and wardrobe for the holidays. From felt toys for the kids to a felt Gingerbread house for decoration, rag dolls, candle wraps, and printable crafts the patterns available here result in great gifts (for yourself or someone else) and are seriously cheap crafts to work with.

One of the coolest things about You Can Make This is that it is a collection of patterns and ideas created by a wide variety of crafters and artists. You also have access to your patterns immediately, since they're delivered in an ebook (digital) format that you can choose to read from your computer or to print out for easier access. Talk about going green - you can work on fun Christmas crafts while reducing your carbon footprint by avoiding commercial printing waste, shipping byproducts, and packaging materials.

How much does it cost? A lot less than you'd think. There are a wide variety of patterns available for free, and the premium patterns never amount to more than about $11. The quality is also superb. If you're not sure, check out one of the free patterns to see what you're getting. In particular, try the Hanging Holiday Star pattern, it's just too cool. The people who share their craft patterns on You Can Make This take a lot of pride in their work, and it shows.

Martha Stewart Christmas Crafts

Let me be clear: I am not a Martha Stewart fan. I never have been, and can't foresee myself ever being one. However, I will grudgingly admit that the Martha Stewart website is beautiful and offers a ton of great, free craft ideas and projects that are explained in plain, clear, easy language.

The Christmas craft project section of Martha Stewart's site is filled with ideas for things like Mistletoe Kissing Balls and Snowflake Decorations, pop-up Christmas cards, and blueprints for make-it-yourself gifts. Each pattern is illustrated with stunning photographs and often illustrations that guide you through the steps. When patterns are called for, they're provided in .pdf format that you can download for free.

One thing that really does set this source apart from the rest is the level of professionalism in the Christmas craft projects presented. You're not stuck staring at tissue-paper garlands and bottle-cap ornaments. Instead, you can dig into a Christmas craft that is practically guaranteed to look amazing. Want a great one to start with? Be sure to check out the Mini Stockings that are perfectly sized for small gifts (eliminating the need for wrapping paper and looking so much cooler than a purchased gift bag), or for sticking sweets in for the 24 days of Advent.

My Creative Classroom

Want a bit more guidance when deciding to tackle your Christmas craft projects and patterns? You can't miss My Creative Classroom, where the teachers are dedicated to the pursuit of creativity. Courses are available for everything from digital scrapbooking to card making and fabric crafts.

Some of the courses available result in projects that are absolutely jaw-dropping, and would make the most meaningful handmade Christmas gifts ever. The "30 Cards in 30 Days Christmas Card Extravaganza" is definitely one of those. The cards created in this course are practically a full gift in themselves.

The only drawback to this site is that courses aren't added often. There are yet too few instructors sharing their expertise to offer a wide variety of options, but the ones that are there will have your creative Christmas project juices flowing.

All Free Crafts

When you're looking for free Christmas craft projects that can either keep the kids busy over their winter break or that you can use for fun decorations and party favors, this is the website for you.

Categories of crafts for Christmas here include homemade Christmas decorations, crafts for kids, Christmas Angels, Snowmen, Santa Crafts, and even projects that show you creative ways of recycling your old Christmas cards.

The level of professionalism here is somewhat less than what you'll find in other places, but the fun and easy factor are top-class. Each of the crafts on this site are cheap to make, are very easy to do, and result in something fun to do with or without the kids.

Craft Gossip

More interested in creating your own projects based on Christmas craft ideas? You will seriously want to check out Craft Gossip, then. This site is chock-full of ideas collected from all over the web.

Hitting the home page, you'll see an at-least once daily updated group of posts that show crafts related to the current season or closest upcoming holidays. You can also check out categories to see much more - they have ideas for everything from Knitting & Crochet to Recycled Crafts, Needlecraft, and Edibles.

And the site isn't only about ideas (though my fingers start itching to create at the sight of most every idea listed), but even offers links to blogs that have free Christmas craft patterns and projects. One such post is this one that shows you how to create some truly gorgeous Christmas cards with beads and string to "sew" a Christmas tree on the front of the card.

You'll never run out of ideas with this site. It is updated constantly, most of the craft projects are free, and the ideas for Christmas crafts are endless no matter which category you choose to browse.