This month, Sewing Bee’s Stuart Hillard is making it his mission to get crafting ahead of the Christmas rush!

The countdown to Christmas has begun, and even though it’s a time of year that most of us look forward to, there’s also a certain amount of trepidation and stress that surrounds it. I love a festive film as much as the next person and wonder every time I watch one why my Christmas never looks quite the same. In the movies, Christmas magically happens, everything comes together perfectly at the last minute. Even though I know that the reality is a million miles from that, I can’t help wishing it would take care of itself! A great Christmas takes planning and preparation, and there’s usually one person who makes sure the big day goes with a bang so be prepared to shoulder the work or learn to delegate.

MAKE A LIST, CHECK IT TWICE

I love a list, it’s a great way to focus one’s mind and there’s no greater satisfaction than ticking off the jobs as they are completed. There are gifts to buy, groceries to order, calls to make and people to see. One of the first lists that I write each year is for the jobs that need to be done around the house and who is going to do them. Now, it would be easy to just write ‘Me’ next to every single one but I believe in sharing so I delegate and assign the chores to the rest of the family.

TIME IS TICKING

Starting early is key to being super organised. There’s a phenomenon known as the ‘planning fallacy’; it’s human nature to underestimate the amount of time and effort it will take to complete certain tasks and despite experience to the contrary, we keep making those planning errors. In my early career as a teacher, I learned the hard way that children often take three or four times as long to complete a task as I had planned – lesson learned! I now try to give myself at least twice as much time to finish a job as I think is needed. And if I finish early? Happy days! At this time of year, I get ahead as much as I can by simple tasks such as baking and cooking extras for the freezer when possible; no one needs to know that the ‘freshly baked pie’ they are tucking into on Christmas Eve was made back in November.

SHARING IS CARING

Hope suppers are when every guest brings a dish or element of the meal, it’s a simple way to make hosting a whole lot easier, but you could extend the tasks beyond cooking. Ask one guest to bring flowers or candles, another to provide the napkins or crackers, and so on. Make sure everyone understands the theme, if you’re going down that route, and see your job as the coordinator rather than the head chef, bottle washer and general dogsbody! Making everyone a part of the celebrations is a great way to have more fun and it means that no one is left feeling like they owe you a dinner back.

KEEP IT HANDMADE

When it comes to the gifts, I like to give homemade but I am a realist first and foremost. I make up kits for crafty friends which contain bits like yarn and needles, a little sewing project or some fabrics and a pattern. Crafters enjoy the doing aspect and anytime I’ve ever given a crafting friend a handmade gift they inevitably ask for the pattern. Giving a kit is easier, much faster and includes the joy of making. For those friends and relatives who can’t but would like to, I send a gift certificate for a one-to-one lesson or maybe a workshop voucher. For the others, I’ll embellish or personalise a bought item; adding embroidery to a pair of plain gloves or painting a mug are special gifts with a personal touch that won’t cost the earth and are quick to complete. It really is the thought that counts.

Catch me on this year’s Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas on Channel 4 where I’ll show you how to make a super quick and easy gift for family and friends which you can complete in an hour!