I’m not one of these people who starts preparing for the holidays in August. Sadly, those kind of organizational skills were not gifted to me. I’m a Type C person - lots of lists, lots of thinking and planning, and yet there’s always some last minute rushing around and wishing I had started sooner.

One of the ways it’s really important to me so make the holidays feel meaningful is to make as many of my gifts as possible. I’ve had some flops, like the tiered stand made of vintage plates that fell apart and dripped glue on my sister the moment she opened it. But I’ve had some hits too, and we all know it’s the thought that counts.

As I write, it’s early November slipping into mid November and we have exactly enough time to pull off some simple hand made gifts. It’s my time to shine - there’s enough time to make it realistic and not so much time I can put it off or over-plan.

Simplicity is key. Use the skills you already have and don’t strive for perfection, just something simple (and ideally practical) to show a loved one you were thinking of them. Here’s a roundup of a few of my favourites that are easy to pull off and add a little coziness to the holiday season.

1. Baking mixes

It’s always lovely to receive a halfway to homemade mix such as chocolate chip cookies or savoury soups. There’s are so many recipes online, just pick one that sound simple and delicious. If you can find some, use vintage or thrifted jars, decorated with ribbons and handmade tags, or cut a circle of fabric to cover the tip and tie with twine for a rustic look.

2. Handmade ornaments

Pinterest is a goldmine of ideas that can be as easy or as complex as you like. One of my favs is dehydrated orange slices with a cinnamon stick and a small spring of faux greenery glued to the top for an old fashioned Christmas vibe.

3. Freshly baked goods

There is nothing better than someone bringing fresh goodies to your place. Cookies are always a hit, but I also love showing up with a fresh loaf of bread. Bonus points if you tuck it in a thrifted basket and add a jar of flavoured butter (rosemary garlic or cinnamon honey are both easy and delicious).

4. “Meat gift”

In our area we have a plethora of great local farms. My husband and I over the years have developed a habit of what we call “meat gift” - gifting some of our hard-to-buy-for friends farm fresh meat. For people who eat meat and don’t like random stuff, it makes the best and most unexpected gift, plus you’re supporting a local farm.

5. Shop local

I love doing a “best of Uxbridge” gift basket and it’s super fun to put together by popping into a few local stores and make a small purchase and bundling them together into a basket with a handwritten tag. In our little town’s tiny downtown it’s easy to round up goodies like candles, books, cheese, wine, coffee and a million more things. Trust me - small businesses appreciate every sale this time of year, even small ones make a difference.

6. Kids’ gifts

There is nothing better than an adorably handmade gift for grandparents or special loved ones. Last year my littlest was an ornament making machine, churning out more than we knew what to do with. Salt dough ornaments are a classic, and adding cinnamon to your dough makes a gingerbread ornament that smells great too. Decorating a picture frame or reusable shopping bag makes a great gift too. Most importantly, it teaches them the joy of handmade gifts that hopefully will stick with them for years to come.

In the weeks that remain until Christmas, hopefully you can carve out some precious time to make a handmade gift or two. Remember, it’s supposed to be fun, so don’t get caught up in perfection and try to have the spirit of a happy four year old chaotically painting a macaroni necklace for joy’s sake!