Top 5 Things Every Christmas Crafter Should Have
By Sirena Van Schaik

Christmas crafts, they seem to rely on ribbon and glitter, glue sticks and holly but do you really need all those things in your supply cupboard. Chances are, probably not. Sometimes it can become overwhelming the number of supplies that you have in your hamper and how easily it begins to invade your home.

I’m sure you know what I mean. Those days when your dining room, or if you are lucky enough to have one; your craft room, looks like somebody had a glitter fight in Santa’s workshop. I’m sure; however, that Santa’s workshop looks much more orderly and you often wonder through it all, how you managed to not only create a beautiful craft but you managed to find it after you were done.

Now, I don’t think I can really save you from the mess. I am after all a happy clutter crafter like so many and I wear the button proudly, “Yes, my crafting leaves a mess but it also leaves a masterpiece.” What I can help you with, is deciding what supplies you will need almost every time you start working on a Christmas craft.

So let’s run through the top 5 supplies that every crafter should have in their crafting arsenal.

Adhesive:

No, I don’t just mean glue sticks, although I know that everyone swears by them. I am not a huge fan of glue sticks and if there is a way that I can get out of using a glue stick, I will.

This is probably the most important supply item that you will have in your supply cupboard. Try to have several different types from double sided tape to white glue to glue sticks to spray on glues. Always having the right adhesive will make life that much simpler when you start working on a craft.

Odds and Ends:

I love these little things and I am constantly on the lookout for little odds and ends for my supply cupboard. I have a little drawer set that house all my little odds and ends from googly eyes to mismatched buttons. Don’t feel that you need to purchase tons of these items when you are out since you can usually find many odds and ends just sorting through your junk drawers. The most important point about an odds and ends stash is to have it tucked away in an orderly fashion, either in baby food jars or a little drawer set.

Pins:

I know this may seem like a strange thing to have on hand but many Christmas crafts require ribbons and bows, greenery and berries and all sorts of fabrics that never stay put when you are trying to create a masterpiece. Have a set of pushpins handy to secure your work until you have a chance to secure it with an adhesive.

Stain Remover:

This isn’t a craft supply exactly but with all the paints, glues and glitters, there is a large chance that accidents will happen. Have a stain remover handy for all sorts of surfaces since you never know where you will spill something. I remember the first time I made stamped candles with a winter/Christmas theme, the ink bled through the tissue paper right onto my beautiful table. It took months of staring at a cute little snowman running across one side of my table before I finally found a cleaner that would lift them off.

Paper:

This is a crafters best friend. Always have a good supply of paper from fancy vellums to cardstock to plain paper. Sketching out your design, jotting down tips for your craft or simply having the paper there to print out one of our many craft ideas will make creating your craft that much easier.

And there are the top 5 supplies that I feel are a must have for any Christmas Crafter’s supply cupboard.