Hi folks, As I mentioned last week, I've been thinking about ways to make Christmas-crafting fun, festive, and affordable. I had a few tips (start early, make a list, be realistic, watch the sales, make multiples, order takeout) and many more have been pouring into my inbox all week. Here are some of my favourites from all the tips you shared.

• Always be on the lookout for supplies: Buy year round to stock up, check the January sales, check dollar stores and discount bins
• Don't constrain yourself to Christmas-y colours or styles. As Sarah writes, "My best tip is to not be restrained in your color choices, a handmade card or ornament in pink may be just as beautiful as the green, red, silver or gold you'd planned...work outside the box a little. Some of my best peices got made due to a lack of supplies!"
• You don't have to make everything yourself. Amy says: "I would also suggest that if you don't have the time or energy to make everything yourself don't be shy about supporting fellow crafters through Etsy or local holiday craft sales. Handmade is always better whether it's your hands or not."
• Accent purchased gifts with homemade surprises: "Quite often you can purchase something simple and add your own touches to them or include it with something purchased; i.e. home-made dog biscuits added to a gift pack including a bowl and leash. Or buy a container or bowl and fill it with your own home-baking," says Pat.
• Stay cool: "Don't panic if something isn't ready on time," says Mimi. "Everyone in my family is more surprised when I actually am on time!! They appreciate homemade gifts and I will not be satisfied with something that I had to rush to finish because more often than not that is when big mistakes happen."
• Look everywhere for inspiration: library books, nature walks, kid's crafts, magazines and websites, shop displays,
• Pay attention: "I usually make jewellery for my girlfriends," says Lily, "and try to make each one as unique as they are. To do that, I have a secret list that I keep throughout the year where I make note of things that I know they like. For example, if they're into certain colours this year or a specific themes."
• Work together: Organize a "crafternoon," like Nadine or Elonda, and enjoying crafting with your friends or family.
• Make it personal, like Laura's cross-stitched ornaments: "To ensure that each ornament is special to the recipient, I try to choose a pattern that includes something significant that happened to that person during the year, and always include the year on the ornament."
• Be selective: Neala advises, "My best craft tip is to not worry about making EVERYONE a home-crafted gift. Choose one or two people and work on those gifts, and then if you have time you can make more for others. Those people who 'missed out' can get your crafty gift the following year."
• Watch out for Fido and Fifi: Conni has a good point! "My tip for crafters who are also pet owners is: clean up and put away all those crafts you just made and whatever is on your craft table if you need to run out to the store for more supplies. Your dog and cat think that crafts make the yummiest appetisers and the greatest toys....after all, why would you spend all day with crafts instead of your pooch or kitty if they weren't absolutely, irresistably fabulous?!!"
• And there were tons of good gift ideas: including a variety of ornaments; home-baked Christmas goodies; recipe books (Camila F.); make your own gift wrap, cards or tags; personalized stockings...the list goes on.

Of course, there were many many more great ideas. See them here. A great big thank-you to everyone who commented!! As promised, I've got two prizes for two lucky tipsters. Congratulations to Jeannine, who wins two tickets to the upcoming Seasons Christmas Show at the International Centre in Mississauga, and to Laura, who wins a copy of Tree Top Decorations by Emma Hardy. Please check your inboxes! Still gathering ideas? This might be a good place to start. See you all tomorrow!