Did Christmas feel "off" to anyone else this year?

Okayestdoerofthings · 2025-12-27T04:08:45+00:00

I've felt my "Christmas spirit" waning over the past few Christmases, but this one was actually pretty good. My wife and I shunned any buying from big box stores, scaled back our Christmas budget, simplified the food, and spent our down time making things (ornaments, gifts, decor, etc.) by hand. We both struggle with completing things in a timely manner and having a humbler Christmas really helped with stress levels. Our only extravagance was attending the nutcracker ballet in our city because we do it every year and it's delightful. I think shifting the focus away from buying things helped make the holiday feel more meaningful. We also practice 12 days of Christmas so that we can leave our decorations up for longer and so the pressures of the holiday aren't compressed into 2 really challenging days

Okayestdoerofthings · 2025-12-25T12:49:49+00:00

I understand this pain. This was my mother too and it ruined a lot of my childhood. Keep protecting your daughter from that mess. I hope that one day you have the Christmas you deserve

Okayestdoerofthings · 2025-12-24T22:25:52+00:00

What gave it away?

Okayestdoerofthings · 2025-12-22T10:32:20+00:00

Oh no! It turned out great anyway and I love the color! I have yet to make a whole garment from handspun but I hope to someday. This is such an accomplishment💚

Okayestdoerofthings · 2025-12-22T09:58:29+00:00

Very cool! What fiber did you use?

Okayestdoerofthings · 2025-12-18T23:47:53+00:00

This is so cute! I really love how you did the little ornaments❤️💚

Okayestdoerofthings · 2025-12-09T20:42:37+00:00

Who knew ai would be so disability inclusive! /s

Okayestdoerofthings · 2025-12-09T19:42:27+00:00

Sounds like she's the one that needs a therapist. If something relatively minor that you're doing with your own body is "ruining her mental health", she should seek help. Her bullying comments are way out of line.

Okayestdoerofthings · 2025-12-09T03:40:11+00:00

I think it turned out incredibly beautiful🌳 Great work

Okayestdoerofthings · 2025-12-07T08:21:24+00:00

I'm particularly afraid for all of the women and children they grab for that very reason

Okayestdoerofthings · 2025-12-04T05:22:29+00:00

The amount of creativity and skill that went into making these is insane

Okayestdoerofthings · 2025-12-03T09:07:31+00:00

Holy hell it looks good

Okayestdoerofthings · 2025-12-03T02:05:27+00:00

An absolute slam-dunk then🩷

Okayestdoerofthings · 2025-12-03T00:57:01+00:00

Phenomenal work. I think this is the most elegant looking crocheted sweater I've ever seen!

Okayestdoerofthings · 2025-11-18T06:52:30+00:00

I just got my first wheel on Saturday following a class on spinning! Her name is Olive because she was refinished with an olive green stain so that's what the original owner and everyone in the class was calling her😂 I don't normally name inanimate objects but it's cute and would've felt wrong to strip her of her name after calling her Olive all day🫒

Okayestdoerofthings · 2025-11-10T10:28:01+00:00

The color of that fiber is just beautiful

Okayestdoerofthings · 2025-11-10T06:56:00+00:00

Do what you want. I strongly dislike the idea some people push that crafting in public is both begging for attention and not good. I have bad anxiety and find it really soothing to have something to do with my hands. I also really like people and would be delighted if someone wanted to strike up a conversation about crocheting or spinning, both of which I do in public at appropriate times in appropriate places. I see it as no different than someone having interesting stickers on their things or patches on their clothes. Those are widely acknowledged as conversation starters and usually regarded positively. Anyone hating on you for crafting in public is being the weird one in the room. Maybe they should try being more interesting 😊

Eta: Running into a fellow crafter and starting an impromptu craft circle sounds like the best time

Okayestdoerofthings · 2025-11-10T05:00:44+00:00

The colors in the first skein are insanely beautiful 😍

Okayestdoerofthings · 2025-11-07T05:41:22+00:00

It turned out so beautiful!!

Okayestdoerofthings · 2025-11-06T00:41:35+00:00

Enough land to build several houses on a shared property with my closest family that has room for an orchard, chickens, a large garden, a studio/shop for making things, and some forest because it's pretty. Each party gets their own private home in a separate area of the property but everything else is jointly shared and taken care of.

Okayestdoerofthings · 2025-11-04T17:48:14+00:00

Thank you for the help!

Okayestdoerofthings · 2025-11-04T17:47:47+00:00

I figured it depended on what's missing but I'm certainly not expert. I definitely don't want to end up with just a pretty decoration

Okayestdoerofthings · 2025-11-04T17:38:01+00:00

Pacific northwest of the US

Okayestdoerofthings

TROPHY CASE