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Why I’m Making Christmas Cards in January
Since Christmas, I’ve still been in a Christmasy mood. Which has been nice because it has made the season feel like it’s lasted a little longer. I was very unwell Christmas day, so this has helped. I still felt like making Christmas things, and I’ve actually had a little bit of energy this month to do so.
It has also helped that my parents got us a Sizzix embossing/die cutting machine for Christmas, which has been so fun to play with. Plus, it’s made card making very easy. (And watching tutorials on YouTube for using fun card cutouts while I’m crashed in a recliner has been inspiring. It’s nice to feel like I’m learning something and getting creatively inspired, vs. just being stuck recuperating.)
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A Chronic Illness Gift Guide Based On Love Language
Gifts are extra-special if you gear them towards your friend or loved one’s love language. I’ve compiled ideas to help you do just that in this chronic illness gift guide!
Those of us with all the complexities and uncertainties of chronic illness can often feel misunderstood and even invisible, so it’s especially meaningful when you take the time to tailor a gift for us.
As I mentioned in my post about easy, low-cost gift ideas, picking a gift based on someone’s love language helps them to feel seen and understood.
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Low-Cost Low-Stress Gift Giving When You’re Chronically Ill
As Christmas approaches, I wanted to share some ideas for inexpensive and low-stress gift giving. Being chronically ill often means you’re watching your budget and conserving energy, so spending a lot of time and money hunting for gifts is not a great idea. The point is to let those you love know you are thinking of them and care about them, and a simple, well-chosen gift can do that perfectly! So I’ve rounded up ideas that are low cost, or easily made without using up all your energy.
The best way I’ve found to give meaningful gifts is to make sure I’m gifting something in someone’s love language. If you’ve never read The Five Love Languages, I highly recommend it! (I read the original, but there is a singles edition, and other versions available too.) The book breaks down the way people best receive love into five categories: Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time, and Physical Touch.
My default way to show love is through gift-giving, so in years past I’ve created a lot of stress for myself by thinking I have to find the *perfect* gift.
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Romantic Congratulations Cards
Since I just had one friend get married and a cousin get engaged, I thought I’d share the congratulations cards I made for them. I hope these ideas inspire you and help you celebrate milestones with those you love!
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Simple Card Ideas: Playful Borders
So, I’m a bit of a perfectionist. (And that’ a bit of an underestimate…) What does this have to do with me sharing simple card ideas?
My perfectionism can make it hard for me to start making a craft or card knowing I am not going to have the energy to make it elaborate. I have the tendency to think that if I’m going to craft, I have to CRAFT. As in, all-caps, all-out, something new and creative that uses all the crafting skills I’ve acquired over my life.
Not super realistic right now due to my health.
I’ve been trying to embrace more simplistic forms of creativity. Something doesn’t have to be intricate in order to turn out beautiful.
After all, some of the best cards I’ve ever received are simple handmade ones from friends with heartfelt messages inside.
It really is the message and the thought that counts. And a card that’s made simply and received is better than a card that is never sent.
