Today I’m sharing handmade gifts that Santa brought the girls, as well as gifts I bought for friends and family. Some are things you’ve already seen here in my holiday gift guides or in Wednesday’s handmade picks, and some are things I’ve had to keep quiet about until now!

Custom embroidered heart by Miniature Rhino
Letterpress Philadelphia print by Louella Press

“Nest Sweet Nest” bird in nest by Sugar Elf
Turquoise nutcracker constable by Knock Knocking

Arinna necklace by Megan Kathleen
Magic fairy portal/door by Lovinglee Crafted

Apple tree winter embroidery by HARE and DRUM
White carnation pincushion by The Daily Pincushion

Doll with custom name stitched on back by Sophie & Lili
“Forest Friends” messenger bag by Mee a Bee

Appliqued table runner by Anna Joyce
“Karine” earrings by l’atelier des bijoux

“You Can’t Borrow My Notes” necklace by Gas Up the Zamboni
“The Ranuculus Gathering” print by wren & chickadee

Vintage camera appliqued t-shirt by b children’s wear
“Carnival of Elephants” pouch by Downtown Girl Designs

Merry and bright needle felted acorns by truLuxe
2010 letterpress calendar by Parrott Design Studio

Vintage “budget bank” from Every Eskimo (this was a fab gift to me!)

“Bunny with Radish” and “Tiny Chipmunk” prints by yumi yumi

“Good Friends” print by Helen Dardik/Orange You Lucky!
“Tea Cups” print by Sol Linero

Did I just inspire you to do some post Christmas shopping?

When the weather outside is frightful. (We got a foot of snow last weekend!)

Embriodered mittens 5 ($100) by dadaya
Housemade peppermint hot chocolate mix ($10) by Edible Dreams

Kimono embroidered sweater ($120) by Jo’s Knits for Kids
Golden lace diamond point shawl ($98) by K G Krafts

In-line fleece scarf ($19.50) by foil
Ruby red dotted baby booties ($34) by pedrosprout

Belgian chocolate spoons, set of 12 ($15) by Nicole’s Homemade Treats
Victorious afghan ($315) by Spiffy Spooner

Fiona and her cub ($35) by Creative Thursday
Porcelain tealight Delight N3 design ($35) by Wapa Studio

Next Wednesday, I want to share some of the handmade items that I bought for my friends and family for Christmas. It’s been so hard to keep quiet!

For you procrastinators (I’m not naming any names here), some last minute gift ideas. Remember to check the shipping dates of the shops to make sure you will receive your items in time for Christmas.

Limited edition Ice Cream Van (blue) 8.45″ x 8.45″ print ($45) by Hello Marine
Self adhesive kawaii mailing/gift labels, set of 6, ($5.50) by chi chi memories

Turquoise Rainbow Love Heart ($15) by I Love Hearts
Woodland Necklace ($23) by Luster Studio

Four-pack of multi-design cards ($10) by She Draws
White Clouds children’s long sleeve t-shirt ($25) by Little Chook

Let’s Go Fly a Bike, hand embroidered & colored, 12″ x 15″  ($45) by The Frog’s Eyebrows
Chloe necklace ($85) by Elisha Long

Bike Bag TopTube Velo Pocket ($40) by Hambone Designs
Lola the Boston Terrier Wool Felt Applique Decorative Pillow ($18) by Cuore

Teeny Hearties Wall Wear ($42) by nea jewelry & stitching
Ode to Chicken Little mittens ($25) by Qute

2010 Seasons Letterpress calendar ($22) by Becca Heuer
The Red Balloon wooden triptych ($45) by Mrs. Eliot Books

As usual, too many good things to choose from. Do you have a favorite?

Letterpress “Tis the Season” ornaments, set of 6 ($16) by Louella Press
Polar Bear ornament ($10) by My Perennial

Red and aqua argyle ornament ($14.50) by September House
Toadstool ornament ($16 each) by Little Seedlings

Magenta Arabesque Origami ornament ($25) by Paper Affection
Popsicle Tree ornaments, set of 2, ($8) by Muna Luna Textiles

Vintage Ice Skates, set of 6, ($48) by Recycled Parts
Whirl Ornament ($16) by Kim Westad

Blue Bird ornament ($15) by Empty Stitch
Christmas tree bird ornament ($14) by Sugar Elf

Set of four ornaments in a lovely bag ($18.50) by Dutch Sisters
Natural History ornaments, set of five, ($30) by Minouette

I had to resist all the beautiful vintage glass ornaments on Etsy for this handmade gallery, but oh, they are so pretty!

Handprinted tablecloth with snowflakes, 75 x 63″ ($115) by jodii
Festive Starry Night pillow ($65) by Three Red Apples

Twas the Night Before Christmas embroidery, unframed ($48) by The Wise Olde Owl
8 foot tall birch tree wall decals, set of 5 ($110) by Leen the Graphics Queen

Handmade Christmas stockings ($26 each) by Roddy & Ginger
Letterpress Mistletoe Ornament ($4) by Sarah Parrott/Parrott Design Studio

Block printed snowflake tea towel ($15) by artgoodies
Nutcracker, in six different gorgeous colors ($22) by KnockKnocking

Hand printed winter trees with birds duvet cover, queen size ($179) by Urban Accent Home
Christmas in the Pines tree skirt ($50) by Kathy G Designs

Tori gift wrap (sale: $3 for one 24″ x 36″ sheet) by Erin Ruth
Turquoise Temari ball ($50) by suzik

Snowflake winter holiday garland, 9ft ($46) by Kaati Rocketts
Succulent wreath ($69.90) by So Succulent

Ok, NOW I have the Christmas spirit!

I’m going home, sort of, for Thanksgiving – not to my childhood home, but to my sister’s house which is not too far away from where I grew up. This time of year is very evocative for me. We would pile into the station wagon (all seven of us) and drive 6 hours to visit my grandmothers in Milwaukee every year.

At one grandmother’s house, we played bocce. Inside. I can still hear those balls banging against the hall doors. We drank a seemingly unlimited supply of soda, got to eat those little boxes of cereal, played games and built towering structures with blocks all weekend long with our rowdy cousins.

At my other grandmother’s house, we sat quietly and ate Thanksgiving dinner. After I finished eating, I would read back issues of Reader’s Digest or admire the delicate items in my grandmother’s china cabinet.

And the day after Thanksgiving? Bowling. Bowling for dollars.

So, today’s handmade picks are inspired both by my childhood home (a farm, with several big red barns, a corn field and lots of pets running around), and by memories of my grandmothers’ homes and many years of fun-filled Thanksgivings.

Old Barn, 8 x 12″ photograph ($30) by Jude McConkey
Long Sleeve Chicken Baby Tee  ($17) by Silk Oak
Chevy Station Wagon, letterpress set of 5 cards ($12) by Pistachio Press
Upcycled Cereal Box Tote Bag ($38) by It’s Our Earth
Soda Pop, Series of 3 Prints, Limited Edition ($50) by Color Box Design
Box with Secret Compartment from Readers Digest Book ($35) by Hooligan Sisters
Organic Building Blocks ($22) by Little Sapling Toys
Red Bowling Set ($34) by Green Bee Goods

For all of you in the US, I hope you have a great holiday. See you back here on Monday!

Chevron Table Runner ($40) by Home Sweet
Sugar and Creamer ($88) by Whitney Smith

Linen Apron ($70) by Jewelweeds
Blue Berries Letterpress Recipe Cards, Set of 10 ($15) by Dingbat Press

Branches Letterpress Coasters, Set of Four ($13.50) by marquandeditions
Fall Leaves Felt Garland ($15) by miesmama

Custom Napkin Rings (with words or names), Set of Eight ($96) by raedunn
Letterpress Placecards, in Apple, Set of Ten ($8) by Sycamore Street Press

Homestead, Limited Edition Print, 22″ x 30″  ($75) by beauchamping

“If you could drive from here and go all the way around the world…taking ferries and ships where there are no roads and stopping every day to look around…this is what you would see.”

A few heartfelt words from little ol’ me:

As you’re thinking about what to get for the people on your holiday gift lists, please consider buying handmade as much as possible, either from the shops featured here on Charlotte’s Fancy, or other independent artists and their handmade gifts. They deserve our support for the hard work, care and warmth they put into their businesses and the pretty things they make for us.

I’ve never met so many nice people as all of the shop owners on Etsy – many of whom I follow on Twitter too. I’ve already bought a few things myself and have gotten so much joy from chatting with the owners* and telling them how much I like and appreciate their work and creativity. Invariably they wrap the packages beautifully, include extra goodies, and always a very kind handwritten note of thanks.

Each package is like receiving a gift, even if it’s not for yourself. What could be better than that?

*Jacqui of Mee a Bee, Jen of Sophie & Lili, Jessica of Miniature Rhino, Sol Linero, and Lindsey of b. children’s wear ♥

♥ ♥ ♥

Oh—and if you have liked the gift guides and generally what you see here on Charlotte’s Fancy, I’d love it if you shared this blog with others and left me a comment every now and then. It always makes my day to hear from you. (Really.)

Photo: Gingerbread Hearts by Made With Love by Hannah

What to do when you have people on your list who either have it all, mumble that they don’t want anything, or would prefer not to have more “things” to add to their homes? Give them some gourmet food, of course! Everyone has to eat, right?

I like the idea of giving gifts that someone can “use up” – and Etsy has a lot of edible gift choices:

Caramel with Nougat Pinwheels, ½ lb. ($10) by Vintage Confections
Custom Spice Mix (Small) ($17) by Purpose Design

9 French Macarons ($14) by Lemonade Stand
Blueberry Lime Jam ($6) by JustbHandmade

Original Teton Hot Chocolate, ½ lb. ($14) by the Teton Cocoa Company
Pure Raw Honey ($6/ 12 oz.) by Green Leaf Apiary

3 Tea Tin Gift Set ($12) by ruaTEA
Hazelnut Chocolate Whisky Cookies ($9 per ½ dozen) by Whimsy and Spice

16 Apricot Ginger Scones ($22) by the Kitchen Witch
Organic Popcorn ($2.80 per 500 g.) by The Organic Home

Creamy Yogurt and Boursin Dip Spice Blend and Recipes ($4.50) by epicerie
Fair Trade and Organically Grown Papua New Guinea Coffee ($13 per lb.) by The Roaster

So there you have it! Two weeks of holiday gift and card ideas. Did you buy anything from our guides? Get inspiration? We hope so.

Monday, we’ll be back to our regular schedule, with a craft waiting for you. Have a good weekend!

Ok, we all remember the rules from yesterday, right? Good.

With those in mind, take a look at today’s picks. I’m pretty sure you’ll find something that you want.

Holiday soap sack (set of 3 soaps, available next week) by Nostalgia Organics
Cashmere Leg Warmers ($85) by adventures of jr

World Metro Map ($38) by atelierpompadour
Gocco Girl Notecard, set of 4 ($10) by lovemonkey

Let the Sunshine In ($28) by slide sideways
Tea Cups ($15) by Sol Linero

Custom Name Stamp (Boy or Girl) ($21) by CraftPudding
Original Wrist Worms Wrist Warmers ($49) by Sandra Juto

Nymphaea Acacia Wood Bowl ($30) by Sweet Tidings
A Rainbow of Soda Bottles Print ($11) by Abby Try Again

Owl Stroll Print ($25) by Kate Endle
Message in a Bottle ($18) by Miniature Rhino

YoYo Craft Making Kit ($15) at Mahar Drygoods
Plum Earrings ($20) by Betsy3

Lollipop Tote, Cherry ($16.50) by Helen Rawlinson
Doll with Your Child’s Name Stitched on the Back ($25) by Sophie & Lili

Unicorn No. 41 by Penguin and Fish ($65) at Mahar Drygoods
Apple Tree in Winter Hand Embroidered Wall Art ($50) by HARE and DRUM

Get any good ideas for holiday gifts? Find some new favorite shops and artists?

Tomorrow: last but not least, what to get someone for the person who has it all (or doesn’t want anything!)