Hello everyone and welcome to the second instalment of my homemade Christmas blog for mydeco. As part of a Kirstie’s Homemade Homes Christmas special, I returned to Meadow Gate to create a spectacular handcrafted yuletide. In episode one I found the perfect Christmas tree, so Wednesday night’s show was dedicated to crafting some lovely presents to go underneath it.
Image credit: Channel 4
This year I wanted my gifts to be extra special (and an excuse to avoid the high-street), so I decided to call on some more of Devon’s finest craftspeople to prove that creating beautiful, handmade gifts is much easier than you might think. From stocking sewing to soap-making, there are many crafts that can easily mastered from the comfort of your own home. Here are my favourites:
1. Making your own soap:
Image credit: Channel 4
Whenever anybody asks me what I want for Christmas, my answer is always the same – smelly things! I always think it’s good to give presents that you would like to receive, so I was thrilled when Jenny Elesmore invited me to her shop for a lesson in soap-making. Unlike the mind-boggling list of chemicals that goes into big-brand soaps, Jenny uses only five high-quality ingredients to make hers, and you don’t need any fancy equipment: just a whisk, a plastic container and some rubber gloves will do it! Follow the link for a step by step guide to making homemade smellies good enough to eat.
2. Sewing a unique Christmas stocking
Image credit: Channel 4
It’s really important in our house that Father Christmas has something special to greet him as he comes down the chimney, so I jumped at the chance to learn how to make a homemade stocking with Mandy Shaw at Dandelion Designs. This isn’t the easiest of the crafts I’ve learned so far, but with the help of my step by step guide. Even those of you who aren’t masters with a needle should be able to make these quilted Christmas stockings. My visit also inspired Mandy to create some kit’s including everything you need to make a small stocking similar to the one I created. Order yours from the Dandelion Designs website.
3. Making delectable Boxing Day Chutney:
Image credit: Channel 4
A store-bought Christmas hamper always seems like a bit of a clichéd gift (not to mention a pricey one). Compiling your own is a much cheaper alternative, and will really show your loved ones that you’ve put time and effort into their present. No hamper is complete without a good chutney, so I turned to Victoria Cranfield: her Boxing Day Chutney won the Taste of the West Silver Award 2009, and will go really well with all your leftover meats on Christmas day. Best of all, it’s edible straight away – so you can cook it up on Christmas Eve as a last-minute gift. Click here to see Victoria’s recipe.
Watch out for my next blog – I’ll be bringing you the best tips from the final episode of Kirstie’s Homemade Christmas, when all of my preparations come together in the ultimate homemade Christmas party.
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6 comments
Karen Schiavone says:
Aug 24, 2010
Hey Kristie, I saw your show, Homemade Christmas when I was visiting my fiance over in England for the Holidays. It was only my second visit to England. I just happen to catch your show, (all three parts) and I just loved it. It was so nice to see some of the different things to do in England for Christmas. Everything was so beautiful and I just love your house. Me and my mom love the kind of things you do. You did such a good job on your house and all the crafts, etc.. I had to come back home to the US in Feb. and it was so hard to leave. I got so depressed and just missed everything about England. I wanted my mom to see your Christmas show and so did I, so I went on Channel 4s website where they have all three episodes posted. I tried to watch them and it said , Viewer blocked due to country code vialations. I have written 3 emails over the months to channel 4 asking them if there was any other way I could view the show or buy a copy or was it ever going to be over here like on (BBC American)? They always just cut me short and say NO!!!!!!!!! I looked at a bunch of feedback on channel 4 of people wanting to know if this is ever going to be put on dvd?There are loads of people wanting it to be put on dvd. Anyway, I know I am not British, but I loved your show and I love England and it would be so nice to see your show somehow. Thanks so much and sorry for venting. Karen in OHio
Kate Austin at Zazous says:
Oct 19, 2011
My brother-in-law was unemployed last year and he did homemade hampers with chutneys and even some homemade sloe gin and mince-pies last year. It was the best prezzie ever! Sadly, he’s now back in full time employment! Only kidding … I think?
Ellie at mydeco.com says:
Oct 19, 2011
I love homemade sloe gin! To save time and effort pricking each sloe a great tip is to freeze them first as the skin will split and, in effect, prick the sloe for you.
Georgette says:
Dec 15, 2011
Voor de Crea Bea's http://t.co/wEhuKK0g
Sara Lyndel says:
Dec 20, 2011
Dear Kirsty,
after watching your series I have decided that next year I will be adding the sparkle back into my christmas. After my parents splitting up and making the time of I have year hard to deal with I have struggled to enjoy christmas as I did when the family was together.
Next year each person will have a stocking, advent calendar and hamper made by me to enjoy their christmas that little bit more and for my enjoyment up to christmas day.
Thanks for the ideas and I look forward to the next series of ideas.
kim bather says:
Feb 7, 2012
i am still watching the show even though christmas has gone, i am going to be organised this year and attemp to make some of the things kirstie made the stocking advent calendar etc. i hope you do another series they are so enjoyable. will there be a dvd .