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Back to basics. The present cupboard.

A present cupboard is an absolute basic.  It saves so much time and money.  It doesn't have to be a cupboard.  It could be a trunk, suitcase, a stash under the bed... a high cupboard... whatever you have that works for you.  

Over on The Tuesday Afternoon Club we started the first week of January!  That is the time!  What we can make in a year is amazing but also it can include items that have been found on great sales,  maybe even thrift store finds.   

I also keep plenty of cards, tape, paper... for every occasion.   If you buy neutral paper... ie brown paper or solids like silver, gold, green, red...  these will work for Christmas or birthday... anytime.  Same with cards!  Try and keep a variety (or make a variety) and non specific so you can use them for a birthday but then again for a get well just as appropriately.   

Between these two supplies you never have to run out looking for a card, gift, wrapping paper and present again.  When your child comes home from school with another birthday invitation you don't have to worry about the cost of a gift because you bought a dozen tins of beautiful pencils at the end of the year sales and you have the wrap and card already.  NOT having to do this run around saves so much money because when you are in a hurry you can't find anything and due to desperation and lack of time you end up spending way more than you want to.  This has happened to me and I remember thinking "I can't believe I am paying this!"  

The present cupboard also means by Christmas you have most of your gifts.  December is no longer such an expensive month.  And for me the best thing of all is I have extra gifts and can give more... and if things have gone really well I have early 2025 Birthday gifts to wrap as well!  I actually LOVE this.  Each 2025 gift I wrap is such a bonus!   It is a great way to start a new year!  

Over the last couple of weeks I began to unpack my cupboard and as always I forgot a lot of what was in there.  

Some things I need to keep secret or I will ruin surprises but here is what I can show you.

I made loads of cotton wash clothes and loads of crochet edge wash cloths and hand towels.








Also,  from waffle weave fabric,  I made towel,  hand towel and wash cloth sets.




I've just made some mens soaps from Rosemary and Eucalyptus.



Vanilla Extracts are brewing,  also Coffee Liqueur,  Vanilla Sugar,  Citrus Extract ...




I have dried and packaged Bay Leaves.   

Also a heap of kitchen towels... these were made from panels and the themes are Lemons...



Chickens...



And vegetables...





Still needing packaging/finishing off...  chicken gift tags and I bought seed packets in bulk and making them into packs of ten.






I have lots of packets of small gift cards.   These need to be tied up with ribbon with a pen added.






As you already know I also try and help my Grandkids with gifts for their friends and teachers ie the soaps we just made during the school holidays.   They ended up with about  a dozen each.
They were so proud of them that I know they will feel so happy to give them at Christmas.  Also I hope this will help my daughters budget.





At the moment my dining room table looks like this as I am saving boxes and lining them with shredded paper so that the girls have an easy way to present their soaps.  Presentation is everything!




I had to think of gifts that fit inside a regular card too as international postage is now shocking.  Also... by being ready if I know someone is travelling I am able to use them as a courier rather than post gifts.  

Best of all...  I have gifts to give the older ladies at church,  anyone that I realise might be lonely or forgotten and gifts to say "thank you."   It is just so nice to be able to go to the cupboard and come up with something in minutes.  

It is not too late to make a lot of your Christmas gifts.   In December I do a lot of baking and gifts of food and pantry items are always beautiful.  Think how expensive things are now.  People can be thrilled by a cake or a tin of biscuits.  I save tins...  and really big jars... they look so nice filled with something delicious.   

If you would like to join us for 2025 gift making come and join in January as week by week it is amazing how even a little production adds up! xxx


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Comments

  1. Rosanne15 October 2024 at 04:04

    Annabel and Dear Bluebirds,
    Annabel, such lovely gifts you have ready. It is such a great feeling to be able to go to a cupboard and pull out a gift on a minute's notice. I always remember my Grandmother busy crocheting gifts.
    I made a lot of jams, jellies and marmalade to be able to make little gift baskets with them and a crocheted dishcloth, potholder. I keep my eyes open at thrift stores for baskets, a bit of cellophane and a ribbon and I have a gift.
    I also made up elderberry elixir and cough medicine to make up wellness bags. Luckily I had them all brewed and ready when my son caught a virus.
    I do have to dig a bit deeper into a closet to find other items I made. I know it will be a surprise for me.
    Like you say, if we start in January, we will have gifts throughout the year.

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  2. Andrea15 October 2024 at 08:24

    That is such a good idea. And so gracious of you. I knew one mom of 12, who did this with gifts. She took advantage of sales and was prepared for any birthday party. andrea

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  3. Anonymous15 October 2024 at 12:55

    Everyone is so talented. I wish my health allowed me to do more but thankful what I can do. Friends will be so blessed with what you have made!...........
    Nancy

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  4. Anonymous15 October 2024 at 19:07

    It is so helpful when budgeting to spread out purchase/ handmade gifts throughout the year, taking advantage of sales. Bless you for the goodwill you spread to others. Erin

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  5. Anonymous16 October 2024 at 09:19

    Dear Annabelle, your gifts are beautiful!! I use a clear hanging garment bag for storing rolls of gift wrap.the front zips open to make it super easy to access. I put a strong coat hanger inside and it takes up only about three inches of closet space. It also has lots of roomy pockets (that would be for shoes when traveling) and I put bows, curly ribbon, tissue paper, tape, small gift bags, etc. There are still more smaller pockets for accessories that I put cards and stickers in. You could add stamps as well. Totally coordinated and because it is clear, you can see what you are short on. One Christmas I made these as gifts with supplies from the dollar store, and shared some of my cards, many of which are free from Christian charities I support, added several rolls of gift wrap for different occasions from the dollar store and they were well received, as the recipient need only keep it restocked. The clear hanging garment bag can be found online, or at Walmart, target etc for about 10 or 12 dollars. I suppose you could also make up one hanging bag for birthdays (including birthday cake candles and balloons and balloon pump) and another for Christmas to be even more prepared. After each celebration at our house, as I clean up afterwards, I return bows and curly ribbons that were attached to gifts if people leave them behind, and restock the bag. This method relieves stress and saves time. I also recommend taking 30 minutes in January to put all birthday, anniversary , graduation, new baby, cards, etc. in order by month with sticky notes for the name of the recipient. At least every occasion we know of within the family. Total time saver.

    Thanks as always Annabelle,

    Susan

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous17 October 2024 at 06:03

      Thanks for sharing this hint, Susan. I need to do this. I use to have an under bed storage bin for gift wrap. But this method is far superior. Also some beds don't allow for much room underneath.
      God bless you,
      Leslie

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    2. Anonymous17 October 2024 at 18:13

      Great idea! Jen in NS

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    3. Anonymous18 October 2024 at 16:58

      What a great idea, Susan! Easy to see and remains dust free🖤Jennie

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    4. Anonymous18 October 2024 at 17:05

      Dear Annabel, I am always amazed at your industriousness! Those crocheted towels are simply darling and those soaps look just like the ones from specialist soap makers. Where did you find the Onkaparinga brand towels? The boxes and shredded paper will make the gifts look like something from a bougie boutique. Such beautiful and thoughtful gifts that anyone would love to receive. Jennie🖤🖤

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  6. Glenda16 October 2024 at 13:03

    You have such talent, Annabel, for making all things beautiful. Your wide spectrum of inherent gifts never fails to amaze me.
    With love,
    Glenda

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  7. Anonymous17 October 2024 at 05:56

    Thank you for the post. So timely! Amazing how the work done throughout a year adds up.
    Everything you share looks so lovely and professional. Annabel, your shred and boxes go so well together.
    Love to all,
    Leslie in Ohio

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  8. Anonymous17 October 2024 at 18:14

    Annabel,

    Your gifts are so beautiful. I love seeing what you've made! Great ideas and great inspiration! Love, Jen in NS

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  9. Gillian26 October 2024 at 01:42

    As always - ever inspiring! Would you be able to share where you found your little bottles for vanilla? xoxo Thank you, from Canada!

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous26 October 2024 at 04:29

      Gillian I was lucky enough to find packs of them in the cheap shops. A couple I recycled as well. You want them pretty small as take a look at the size they sell vanilla in store. I hope you find that as keeping this expensive low is important or things get expensive!xxx

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