Just seconds ago you were by the pool soaking up the sun with a cold iced tea, and now... WHAM! You’re at the mall picking out a wool sweater for Uncle Bert’s holiday gift. You look around and say, “Whoa, how did I get here??” The holidays always sneak up on us that fast. You know, there are signs along the way, but we tend to ignore them. The ornaments come out in the stores in July for collectors. Hardware stores clear out patio furniture and bring in trees and outdoor holiday decorations in September. By the time Halloween is over we’re in full blown festive season mode. And I love every minute of it!

I’m one of those people that prepares for the holiday all year long. That way I can make a lot of hand-made gifts and take my time shopping. It gives me an opportunity to shop at sales and special order things in if needed. And wrapping it as I buy it means that there’s no big rush at 2 am to be ready on time. Paying attention at family BBQ’s and birthdays gives me a chance to make notes so that I remember that my father-in-law hasn’t had circus peanuts since he was a small boy, and I can tuck a bag in with his gift. He’ll be happily surprised when he opens it. At a family wedding, a good friend said she loves the fragrance of banana bread, so I went to the candle store at the mall and got her a big jar candle called, you guessed it, banana bread! It’s a nice way to personalize a gift. When I visited a cousin who had re-done her kitchen and family rooms, I made a mental note that she had decorated in rust, amber and brown and had a pineapple theme going on. In my August shopping journey I found some amber colored pineapple shaped pillows and knew she’d love them. So shopping all year has some fantastic advantages. But wait!

December is lurking and you haven’t even started yet?? Fear not! You’ve still got time to make some personalized gifts that will be treasured by anyone receiving them, and I’ll help with some suggestions. Here we go.

For someone who loves to have dinner guests, give them a pretty set of cloth napkins, a book on how to fold napkins in beautiful shapes, and a gorgeous set of beaded napkin rings! Make the rings yourself out of ring memory wire. Just slide on whatever bead combo you wish, then turn loops at the ends. Dangle a charm or bead off the end of the loop.

Ta-daaaa! One gift done!

Now for the teenager in the family. Pick up a fun small lamp for a dresser, with a fun shade. Use a hot glue gun to add a band of ribbon to the bottom rim of the shade. Attach a thread, and hang some funky beaded fringe all around the edge. If you use larger beads, then it goes quicker. Hang charms from the ends to give it personality. If you use transparent beads then they’ll illuminate when the lamp is turned on.

For Grandma, buy a few small throw pillows for her couch. Customize them by adding some simple bead fringe around the edges, or on the corners. Or sew some wonderful buttons on the front. Do each side different so she can turn them around for a different look.

For the guys in the family, make some beaded key chains! There are a lot of masculine beads to choose from out there, such as stone, wood, metals, etc. Use a piece of wire to curl a small spiral at the end, then add a great bead on. Turn a loop at the top and hang from a key ring. These make great stocking stuffers, too.

Do you have an aunt that loves gardening? Find a pretty basket and wire wrap some glass flower beads to the rim. Now put seed packets, bulbs and some gardening gloves in the basket.

Of course, custom made jewelry is always an appreciated gift. Work in someone’s favorite colors or themes and you’ll have a gift to give that will be treasured.

Before you know it, you’ll be done your shopping and will have plenty of time to enjoy the parties, get-togethers and family gatherings that happen around holiday time. And your New Years resolution can be to start in January of next year. No kidding. Think of the financial ease once December 2007 rolls around, because you’ll be done! Think of your worry free holiday, because you paid attention and gave everyone something that they’d specifically like. They’ll all want to know your secret. And you can tell them!

Happy Holidays from all of us at Garden of Beaden!