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A Handmade Kind of Christmas

If you are searching for meaningful gift ideas this Christmas, handmade and locally made presents are a wonderful place to start. Choosing just one or two gifts from small, independent makers not only supports real people and their creativity but also helps to strengthen our local economy here in Norfolk.


There is something rather lovely about the idea of a handmade Christmas. A season filled with thoughtful gifts and small-business finds sounds wonderful in theory, but let us be honest, it is just not possible to uphold those ideals all the time in reality. However, I recently saw a post on Instagram by @loudmouthcontent that really made me pause for thought. It said that if every adult in the UK bought just one of their Christmas gifts from a small independent business instead of Amazon, it would put an extra £2.6 billion into the pockets of makers, artists, and independents this Christmas, and £2.6 billion less into Jeff Bezos’ bank account.


That thought has stayed with me. It made me reflect on how often I take the quick and easy option, and how small changes really can make a difference. So this year, I am pledging to do better, and I wonder if you might like to join me?

At this time of year, local makers are quietly working away in studios, sheds, and kitchen tables, creating pieces that carry something of themselves in every brushstroke and stitch. Buying handmade is about more than finding something beautiful. It supports the people who make our world a little more creative and a lot more human.


There are so many reasons to buy from independent makers:

  1. It is better for the environment

  2. It supports ethical production

  3. It helps arts and crafts to survive

  4. It benefits the local economy

  5. It is more thoughtful

And most importantly, it helps creativity to thrive. Every handmade piece, from jewellery to textiles, candles to prints, carries a story and a maker’s touch.


Support Our Makers

If you would like to support local makers this Christmas, then why not start by looking at what our very own Reef Make & Do Makers have to offer and where you can find their beautiful creations:


And one final thought: if you ever spot a piece of work you love on social media, do not be afraid to ask the maker if it is for sale. Our makers do not all have websites with online shops, but many create small runs or one-off pieces, and it can be a lovely way to own something truly unique.


Make Your Own Gifts

You are all here because you love making, and I know that you understand how deeply satisfying it can be to gift something you have made yourself. Not because it is perfect, but because it is personal. It might be a hand-painted card, a knitted scarf, or a small ceramic dish. The simple act of making slows us down and reminds us that giving can be about time as much as things.

If you have been thinking that you might like to make some gifts this year, here are a couple of lovely recipes that I thought you might enjoy. They are quick and easy but make utterly wonderful homemade Christmas presents:


Cranberry & Orange Relish

Makes 1.5 kg – keeps for up to 12 months


Ingredients

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  • 450 g cranberries (fresh or frozen)

  • 75 g caster sugar

  • Rind and juice of one large orange

  • 1 cinnamon stick (optional)

  • 1 heaped teaspoon freshly grated ginger (or ½ teaspoon ground)

  • 3 tablespoons port


If using fresh cranberries, chop or blitz them in a food processor before adding to the pan. For frozen cranberries, add them straight to the pan.

Pare off the coloured part of the orange rind with a peeler and cut into fine shreds. Add the orange shreds, juice, ginger, sugar, and spices to the pan and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook gently for five minutes.

Remove from the heat and add the port if you wish. Mix well, then ladle into hot sterilised jars and store. Refrigerate once opened.



Chilli Oil

Store in a cool place and use within six months

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  1. Split open 6–8 dried or fresh chillies. Pack into a dry, sterilised 500–600 ml jar or bottle along with 1 teaspoon black peppercorns.

  2. Heat 500 ml good-quality olive or rapeseed oil to about 40 °C, then pour over the chillies.

  3. Cover and leave to infuse for 14 days.

  4. Strain and re-bottle.




The Gift of Creativity

Finally, there is the gift of creativity itself: a Reef Make & Do gift voucher. Perfect for someone who might love a day of calm and colour in the new year, or for a friend who keeps saying, “I would love to try that one day.” It is a present that unwraps twice, once at Christmas and again on the day they come to join us for a day of making.

Our new electronic vouchers mean that you no longer need to ask me to book your workshop – each one now has a code that can be used directly at checkout. You can still opt for a physical voucher too; they come beautifully wrapped and ready to gift, or I can post them for you.


That is a wrap for now, but if this rather Christmassy post has got you thinking that you might like to join us to make a gift or simply enjoy some festive fun, then do take a look at the remaining workshops for 2025. There is still plenty to choose from.



Warmest wishes,

Rachael xx

 
 
 

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