Christmas is getting closer

I had this grand idea of knitting my mother a Muir shawl for Christmas and a pair of Firestarter socks for my sister. That's not going to happen. When my finger joints started to ache a couple of weeks ago as a result of too much knitting on small diameter needles, I had to put these projects on hold. And now I realize that Christmas is not as far away as I thought it was...

I'm not in a Christmas panic. Don't worry. And I'm not thinking that my knitted (or sewn) objects are essential to the Christmas spirit. So, I just step back and start thinking about other gifts for them instead. There's no way I'm going to even attempt getting the Muir shawl ready as it means a minimum of seven rows each end every day from now 'til Christmas Eve. I know I won't be able to do that.

So, what else can I do or get for them? I'm thinking about sewing a bag for my sister. First I thought about making her a High Street Messenger Bag but just getting the fabric that I want for it will be ridiculously expensive so that one is off the list. I have some bag designs in my head that I think would be appropriate for her but we'll see... I know she wants some fingerless mittens so I might make her a pair of those instead.

Just remembered that my mother also asked for fingerless mittens last year when she saw my Fetchings... My mother has also hinted about a cardigan she's seen in a yarn store in her home town. It's knitted with linen (flax) yarn and she's even been in there to ask about the price of the yarn. Maybe I could get the yarn for her and knit the cardigan during the spring?

I'm going to be an aunt in March and yesterday I ordered this pattern to sew a Mei Tai Baby Carrier for my brother and his girlfriend. Is that a good gift for them? They are both very modern and trendy in the things they like and neither of them minds spending money on designer clothing. I wonder if they'll think a handmade baby carrier is silly... As I'm sure they'll spend lots of money on getting the latest and hippest pram... On the other hand, baby carriers are trendy again, aren't they? Don't all celebrities wear one? :) I was thinking I'd get them each something personal too so they don't feel like their Christmas gift in fact is a gift for the little one. Or maybe that's just stupid thinking on my part?

I have no idea what to get my father this year. He's always difficult as he seems to be one of those people already owning everything you think he'd be interested in having. And if you ask him what he wants, he'll tell you to get socks or underwear...

I would like to make something myself for everyone this year but I know I can't. There's not enough time (Christmas is getting closer and we have a move coming up) and I can't really justify it financially to spend loads of money on material (yarn or fabric). It's funny how homemade often ends up being much more expensive than store bought...

And at the same time as I'm planning gifts for others, I'm contemplating asking my parents and siblings not to get me anything this year. I love my birthday and I don't feel too bad about getting gifts on my birthday, but, for whatever reason, I've started to feel weird about asking for things for Christmas. My parents want a list of things that they can chose from. And I feel too old for that. And I feel too financially independent (from them) now. It's not like when I was a kid or a student and couldn't really afford things. I get a salary every month now. Anything I consider my parents to be able to afford getting me, I can get myself. You know what I mean?

I'd love it if they surprised me with something creative, something personal. But to be honest, my sister is the only one to do things like that to me. And with my parents moving in a couple of weeks, I don't want to make Christmas "difficult" for them, by forcing them to be creative...