Sustainable Christmas Day 2 - Buying Less in the Festive Season

Vlogmas with a twist - looking at some sustainable ways to use sewing over the festive season including a quick tutorial to make a fabric bowl cover.
Hearth & Vine Blog:tinyurl.com/3m8dtdps
Sustainablish Podcast: tinyurl.com/4ueddf8s
Stats Sources: tinyurl.com/2mhh8uu7 www.finder.com/uk/unwanted-gifts
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[@jacmary6580]

As I live on my own I tend to shop the deals like those meal deals that the big supermarkets have that feed 2 and make them last for 2 of my dinners. However some of them have wine or chocolates as part of the deal and as I don’t love wine and try not to sit and devour a whole box of chocolates, I repurpose those for small gifts for friends, work colleagues and or my granddaughter’s teachers and make a gift bag from a non seasonal material so that it can be reused for something else (might make it seasonal with a bit if ribbon and a tag) 😊 just another sustainable idea I thought I’d share 😊

[@Frugalisama]

Those are all great ideas & frugal too - love it 👍 Thanks for sharing 🤗

[@karenbensdon4643]

Great idea. Thank you! It’s not only more sustainable but healthier than plastic that is likely not PBA free touching the food.

[@Frugalisama]

Yes. good point 👍

[@cecilehoare3053]

Due to unforeseen circumstances our income was cut drastically at the beginning of the year and that hasn't changed until today. With it being this close to Christmas I decided I was making gifts for EVERYONE-call me crazy, my husband did! lol I'm using all stash fabric, I bought one pattern during Black Friday but other than that I've used all patterns I had. I did show my daughter the patterns for her husband and my son to get them okayed before I cut them out-not millennials but the generation before! Even the grands are getting hand created gifts! If you already have the supplies why not!

[@Frugalisama]

Absolutely & good on you, may the tradition live on too 👍

[@kristymcmillan7481]

Great tutorial! I’ve made gifts for some family members this year, from fabric or yarn I already had. Also charity donations are being given as gifts, as well as e-vouchers. I’m 100% certain we won’t be spending anywhere near £1,000 on the festive season, nor have we ever. It just seems so mind blowing!

[@Frugalisama]

Glad you enjoyed it Kirsty - I know what you mean, it's a lot of money for what is essentially one day 😳

[@elisa4620]

As someone with a tiny tiny budget all year round, and for ethica rans, I have been slowliy working my way through living mre sustainably and ethically (not always compatible with frugal living 😅 ). This includes gift giving, of course, and there have been some misses ... This sustainable sewing playlist is full of inspiring ideas. Thank you.

[@Frugalisama]

You're welcome - glad that you've enjoyed it 🤗

[@dorothybond3528]

Hi Sam, love your videos, always enjoy them. Great idea the food covers, the simple one's are always the best. Keep well and safe. Xx

[@Frugalisama]

Yes you're right, there's usually a simple solution to most problems isn't there 👍

[@Tess-FrugalLiving]

Great, easy, sustainable idea, as always Sam.

[@Frugalisama]

Thanks Tess 🤗

[@dianamann3198]

Great gift idea. Would also be good for backyard summer pool parties. And make some for the drink cans and cups to keep the bugs out of your drinks. Thank you for sharing!

[@Frugalisama]

Oh yes, great idea, never thought of drinks cans 👍

[@EileenR11]

Thanks so much - that's a great little tutorial. I will definitely try some of these. Might and some kind of wipe-clean lining fabric also. Great idea to have a separate short vlog - I can then save it in my sewing folder, which has lots of good tutorials.

[@Frugalisama]

Oh yes a wipe clean fabric should work, or oilcloth too - glad you liked the separate tutorial, I can never remember where I've seen them if they're hidden inside other videos 🤗

[@nancyhilborn885]

Thanks Sam! Good statistics to start the conversation with loved ones. Our next generation have mostly asked for experiences for their gifts. Certificates for ski passes, museum entry or spa days seem popular. I know your bowl covers would be a hit too. Might have to pop it in my favorites for next year.

[@Frugalisama]

Some lovely experience gift ideas there Nancy. The bowl cover takes no time to sew at all 👍

[@elizabethsawyer5906]

Thank you💕

[@Frugalisama]

🙏

[@sheelaghheugh9152]

Thanks Sam I am going to try adding beeswax to one to see if it will keep bits fresher for longer too 😊

[@Frugalisama]

Let me know how you get on Sheelagh 👍

[@sewing_myhappyplacepauline223]

For a number of years I’ve been encouraging friends in particular, not to buy gifts but arrange a get together or meal I prefer this for birthdays too. It’s surprising how difficult it can be to change mindsets. Conversely I donate to charity instead of Christmas cards but would be disappointed not to get a birthday card 😊

[@Frugalisama]

I know what you mean Pauline, the cards have already started arriving 😳 & yes I still appreciates a birthday card, although my son doesn't send them now which is a good start 🤗

[@annettecowburn1096]

Great Sam, might try one on bread while proving. Those stats are scary.

[@Frugalisama]

Oh yes it'd be great for that Annette 👍

[@seasidestitches615]

I am so loving these new style vlogs of yours Sam. Thanks so much for your frankness. It’s good to see that some of my sewing friends are spreading the word, and it’s great you are sharing ideas of how to do things differently for this and future Christmases. Much love, Susan x

[@Frugalisama]

Thanks so much Susan, glad that you're enjoying it 🤗

[@mairead5891]

There is a product called OdiCoat which is a BPA free liquid that turns fabric into oilcloth. The fabric is still washable, but is impermeable like beeswax wraps. I haven't tried it yet, but I've seen is used to make bowl covers like this. Might be worth investigating if it makes the covers more resilient.

[@Frugalisama]

Oh yes I've heard of OdiCoat before, good idea 🤗

[@elisestewart5416]

Great idea. I am going to make some of these. I have tried the beeswax ones but find them hard to use and to clean.

[@Frugalisama]

Hope you find them useful 👍

[@magsohara7908]

Morning Sam. Thanks for this tutorial and the Vlogmas chat. The friends that I normally exchange Christmas gifts with - we have decided not to exchange Christmas gifts and only exchange Birthday gifts which takes a bit of financial and the “what am going to get for them” pressure off at this time of year. I usually have a spreadsheet with a budget for each person with notes on what I’ve purchased and to be purchased. 😂😂😂 🤓🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@Frugalisama]

Now that's what I call organised Mags 👍

[@InAgatasCottage]

The amounts people are spending on Christmas is terryfing for me. Some kids from Alice class are getting gifts worth over a 1000 e each. We always do something that's needed -like clothes (previously bought now I make them), slippers, a book or a board game. I usually ask for some makeup (I.e. I buy myself and they wrap it). Hubby is getting head shaver. His old one broke after many years of service, sister in law is getting travel mug (we have same company one for 5+ years and they are still great so she asked for one -they are on more expensive side but well worth), Alice is getting kindle - from us and SIL. She is avid reader and she loves going back to books few days/weeks after she finished reading them so library books aren't ideal for her. There is only 4 of us for Christmas so we don't do turkey (anyway I am only one who actually likes it). We do normal roast chicken or lion of pork. We cook and bake a lot but I also freeze a lot of it so we can enjoy few weeks later. We don't buy many decorations. Usually 1 special one per year, rest we make ourselves. I don't understand buying whole new furniture for Christmas (and it is a thing here - at least that's what I noticed - waiting lists for new sofas and carpets etc) For me best part of Christmas is sitting around table, playing board games, drinking hot chocolate and eating cookies.

[@Frugalisama]

Sounds likr the perfect Christmas to me Agata, it's not about more stuff, making memories is priceless 🤗

[@InAgatasCottage]

@@Frugalisama exactly. In our house Santa brings small gifts - and anything big for Alice (like tablet 2 years ago or scooter last year) are from family And in years to come she will not remember what she got but what we did together

[@kaywilliams3435]

Thanks Sam, another great vlog. I’m busy making gifts and I will add this to my list. Got a question for you don’t know if you will be able to help! Im also making microwave bowl cosies. Do you think I could use 100% cotton facecloths instead of batting inside the cosies? Thanks😊

[@Frugalisama]

I don't see why not Kay just make sure that any thread is removed or cut around, as there could be polyest in those 🤗

[@kaywilliams3435]

Thanks Sam, I think I will give it a try. I’ve run out off cotton batting and not sure how soon I’ll get it with the present Royal Mail situation.

[@Zzzzzzzzz216]

I’m still shocked by the Amazon fact 😡

[@Frugalisama]

I know 😳