Gransnet forums

Arts & crafts

Anyone else making things for Christmas fairs?

(168 Posts)
Witzend Sat 22-Sep-18 19:35:27

And if so, what? I've promised to make some little things for Gdd's preschool Christmas fair. Since I'm also making the time consuming crib set, it'll probably just be some mini snowmen/Father Christmas tree ornaments out of the Jean Greenhowe book.
However I'm open to suggestions for anything else relatively quick and easy to make - which is likely to sell well. (Apart from mince pies!)

Jalima1108 Sat 22-Sep-18 19:42:56

Well, I was just thinking I ought to - lavender sachets maybe?

As I've just received that book, perhaps some ornaments if I have time.

Fudge or something similar in nice cellophane bags?

Nanabilly Sat 22-Sep-18 19:53:18

Someone I knew from my craft club some years used to crochet little Christmas pudding "hats" to fit onto individual ferrero richer chocolates and she sold them in sixes. She must have sold hundreds of them .
She also sold them packed into ferrero rocher plastic boxes . I used to put mine out in a nice dish or plate and offer them to guests. Always a talking point.

silverlining48 Sat 22-Sep-18 19:54:47

My friend does felting, it’s quite therapeutic as you use a rather shRp needle to jab at the wool.

Greenfinch Sat 22-Sep-18 20:01:48

Mini Christmas stockings to decorate the tree.A small bar of chocolate can be put in each.

Jalima1108 Sat 22-Sep-18 22:51:52

I tried felting but kept missing and jabbing my fingers and thumb instead.
However, a young relative has made some lovely things.

BBbevan Sun 23-Sep-18 05:58:38

I knitted small pumpkins last year for a craft sale and also made a knitted door wreath. That was very much admired but took ages to make. Also Christmas pudding tea cosies.
A friend made some very pretty crochet book marks which sold well.

Auntieflo Sun 23-Sep-18 08:02:45

Nanabilly, I was going to suggest the Ferrero Rocher hats. I have made them for several Christmases, they always go down well, and they are quick to make.
Fudge and tablet is also popular, as are miniature marzipan fruits.

Maybelle Sun 23-Sep-18 10:03:24

Sewing an advent calendar for the local school. they choose a winning pocket and then sell tickets numbered from 1 to 25. The person who has the winning number gets the advent calendar.
Raises £25 easily, as opposed to selling the calendar for £10.

NanaandGrampy Sun 23-Sep-18 10:07:52

Auntieflo little hats sound right up my street for dressing the table at Christmas- can you point me in the right direction for a pattern please, if you don't mind ?

NanaandGrampy Sun 23-Sep-18 10:09:35

I crotched retro toilet roll covers one year and they were a hit .

Granny23 Sun 23-Sep-18 10:15:43

I knitted 20+ Bobble Hats for the Christmas Shop and someone else did about a dozen. All sold like hot cakes. The white rib & white bobble on red (like a Santa hat) was particularly popular. 2nd favourite - dainty ones knitted with white + silver wool.

shysal Sun 23-Sep-18 10:38:43

One year I made present sacks from cheap red pillow cases from Asda. I gathered the tops with twisted wool drawstrings and appliqued shapes on the front with iron-on adhesive using felt or fabric. The designs were simple like puddings, parcels, trees with button 'lights', and snowflakes using templates from the internet. They all sold within a few minutes of the stall opening.
I went on to make one for each of my GCs with their initials in giant letters and still use them every year despite the presents getting smaller as they get older!

shysal Sun 23-Sep-18 10:52:18

I now remember that I have also made knitted Terry's Chocolate Orange covers in the shape of robins, Santa hats, oranges, and puddings. Lots of free patterns on line.

Last year I made pudding cookies, individually bagged.

jusnoneed Sun 23-Sep-18 11:03:12

There are some free patterns for christmas things on www.loveknitting.com
Trees/penguins/ornaments etc.

Billybob4491 Sun 23-Sep-18 11:37:34

I also have knitted Christmas puddings to fit over ferrero chocs, and knitted mini Christmas stockings filled with a finger of fudge. Good way to use up odd balls of wool.

Grannyknot Sun 23-Sep-18 12:06:04

I made rose scented bath salts last year with Epsom (Epsom) magnesium salts bought from the chemist, mixed with Himalayan Pink Salt bought in a big container from Lidl, added a few drops of rose essential oil and put them Kilner style in bottles bought from Poundland, fancy ribbon around and hand written label.

The gifts were a big hit and really easy to make. I'm almost certain the "recipe" was on Gransnet...

Grannyknot Sun 23-Sep-18 12:07:20

No idea why I typed Epsom twice, and also "put them Kilner" should be "put them in Kilner" ...

jenni123 Sun 23-Sep-18 13:36:15

I refuse to talk about Christmas until at least the beginning of November. In Sept an animal charity I support sent me a Christmas catalogue, it went straight into the bin and they received an email from me telling them I was not amused. I do buy gifts throughout the year as I have a lot to buy and my pension doesn't stretch far, but I refuse to acknowledge Christmas adverts/sales etc until later in the year

Thorntrees Sun 23-Sep-18 13:54:54

Last year a friend and made small bags filled with a mixture of spicy herbs,cloves,allspice,nutmeg etc,a bit like lavender bags. We used red ribbon to decorate them and make a hanger so they could be hung on the Christmas tree,they smell Christmassy and we sold them in the Charity shop we work in,they were very popular. We also made lots of knitted angels which also sold well.

Auntieflo Sun 23-Sep-18 14:06:52

NanaandGrampy, would you believe it? I have mislaid lost my pattern. But if you Google something like 'knitting pattern for Ferrero Rocher hats' you should come up with lots of ideas. Apologies, and good hunting, as others have suggested, you should be lucky.

Hm999 Sun 23-Sep-18 14:20:08

Jenni123 If you are making for a Christmas fair or for presents, you need to start them now

Theoddbird Sun 23-Sep-18 14:55:48

Look on Pinterest for simple tree decorations made from felt...

Coconut Sun 23-Sep-18 15:23:58

I’ve been making patchwork throws all year to sell at Craft and Xmas Fairs

grandMattie Sun 23-Sep-18 15:51:16

Gingerbread men. If you turn them upside down, you get a "Rudolf". Both prettily iced go down well, as do minature gingerbread houses. I also often make a full sized one for the raffle.