Elves' Workshop Summit

3 Simple Steps to Create a Christmas Rich in Memories, But Not Bills

Hope Ware

• Pen and paper (family holiday tradition list, budget worksheet and gift list)
• Calendar for December (printed paper calendar, shared digital calendar, or magnetic fridge calendar)
• Colored markers
• Optional: Magnetic dry-erase fridge calendar set with weekly planner and list pad
• Optional: Free debt-free holiday gift guide (printable)

10 Things to Organize Before Christmas

Susan Santoro

• Pen and paper (or the free Organize Christmas Checklist workbook)
• Timer (for 30-minute sessions)
• Calendar
• Optional: Printer for the free workbook
• Optional: Gift wrapping station: bag or bin with wrapping paper, pen, scissors and tape
• Optional: Bag or basket for decluttering

The Ultimate Budget Holiday Toolkit: Decor, Gifts & Hacks

Chas Greener

• Gnome tree: Christmas tree (any size), Santa ornament for its beard (or a dollar store mop), red gloves, buffalo check stocking (for the hat), plastic ornament (nose), scissors, hot glue gun
• Candle holder tree: 5 glass candle holders (thrift store), E6000 glue, old baking sheet and wax paper, a bottle stopper, battery-operated color-changing LED light
• Cardboard gingerbread people: cardboard box, pencil, marker, craft knife or razor blade (or scissors), small bows, buttons, button eyes, pipe cleaners, zigzag ribbon, hot glue gun
• Reindeer treat pot: 4 in terracotta pot, chalk paint (brown), paintbrush, wax paper, adhesive-backed felt (antlers), pencil, scissors, 2 googly eyes, button (nose), hot glue gun, treats to fill
• Birch tree wine glass: wine glass, white and black multi-surface paint, paintbrush, alcohol prep pad, oven at 350°F
• Optional: String lights for the gnome tree
• Optional: Mittens instead of gloves; fiberfill to stuff the fingers
• Optional: Ornament hooks to hold the beard
• Optional: Poster board or foam core board instead of cardboard

Sew Cute Lavender Bags (With an Optional Embroidered Flower!)

Christine Burrows

• Cotton fabric, 14 x 6 in (large bag) or 11 x 4 in (small bag)
• Embroidery thread in purple and green
• Embroidery needle
• Heat-erasable pen or pencil (to draw the design)
• Ribbon (one length to tie the bag)
• Pins
• Scissors
• Sewing machine and thread (or hand sew)
• Chopstick or the back of your scissors (to poke out corners)
• Dried lavender
• Optional: Separate fabric square for the embroidery patch, 3 in (large bag) or 2 in (small bag)
• Optional: Different shades or variegated purple thread
• Optional: Rice or toy filling to bulk out the lavender

Chunky Cowl, Quick Win: The Last-Minute Handmade Gift They’ll Actually Wear

Heidi Rodriguez

• Super chunky yarn in two colors, about 82 m of each (Hayfield Bonus Super Chunky used)
• 10 mm crochet hook
• Stitch markers
• Yarn needle with an extra-large eye
• Scissors

Stash, Stitch, and Slow Down: Start a Kerchief in Just 10 Minutes a Day

Kirsten Joel

• Enoree Kerchief pattern (sold in the speaker's shop)
• Yarn (see the pattern for weight and amount)
• Knitting needles: double-pointed needles to start, circular needle once stitches increase
• Stitch markers (rust-proof, so they can stay in during wet blocking)
• Tapestry needle
• Smooth yarn in a contrasting color for lifelines
• Timer (for 10-minute sessions)
• Optional: Interchangeable circular needles (thread lifelines through the needle's hole)
• Optional: Blocking wires

When the Wrapping Steals the Show: Coiled Gift Baskets

Crystal Martin

• 5 mm braided cord for wrapping (Bobbini used; yarn, T-shirt yarn, fabric strips or macrame cord also work)
• 3/8 in braided cotton filler cord
• Large plastic yarn needle
• Scissors
• Optional: Drop of glue to secure the final knot
• Optional: Hot glue and a center embellishment (wood button, snowflake, shell)
• Optional: Gift fill: pint jar of hot cocoa mix, printed label on cardstock, holiday fabric circle cut with pinking shears, mug, tissue paper, peppermint sticks, greenery

High-End Holiday Gift Bags from Reused Christmas Decor

Gina Tepper

• Plain gift bags (and brown paper lunch bags)
• Leftover wrapping paper
• Ribbon (plaid, wired, gold, green mesh, red and white trimmed)
• Quick-dry clear craft glue
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Scissors
• Gold twist ties (for bows)
• Decorations reused from last year: artificial flowers, poinsettias, berries, leaves, mini ornaments
• Tissue paper
• Craft foam (eyes) and a hole punch (eye shine)
• Pom pom and buttons (snowman bag)
• Outdoor fuzzy ribbon, faux fur trim and large pom poms (Santa sack bag)
• Pencil (to tie bows around)
• Tape
• Optional: Tissue paper alternatives: decorative napkins, 7 coffee filters with a wooden skewer, foil wrapping paper fan, wired ribbon bow with a paper straw, a Santa hat or plushie
• Optional: Lamppost decoration: wrapping paper roll, tissue box, small boxes, cardboard, plastic dome lid, water bottle cap, gesso/primer or white paint, red and green paint, floral foam, red trim, holiday greenery, ornaments, tea light
• Optional: North Pole decoration: wrapping paper tube cut to 22 in, white and gold paint, red ribbon, Styrofoam ball and base, dowel or paper straw, wooden finial, free North Pole sign pattern (printer), red cardstock, gold 3D paint, stuffing, plastic icicles, white glitter

Beautiful Botanical Tags, Cards & Gift Wrap with Eco Printing

Nicola Brown

• Paper (wallpaper lining paper preferred; cheap watercolor paper, photo paper or brown kraft paper also work)
• Old reactive pot with lid, not used for cooking (aluminium for beginners; cast iron or copper also)
• Heat source that can keep the pot boiling about 2 hours (gas burner preferred)
• Work table with a protective cover (party tablecloth)
• String (T-shirt yarn) or bulldog clips or rubber bands
• Ceramic tiles or metal plates that fit in the pot (or heavy cardboard)
• Plant material: onion skins, leaves, thin flower heads, seed pods, black tea leaves, eucalyptus
• Vinegar and water (for dipping paper and adding to pot)
• Bowl for dipping paper
• Dry sponge
• Towel
• Iron
• Closed shoes and fitted clothing; good ventilation
• Optional: Rusty metal or an old horseshoe in the pot (deepens color)
• Optional: Black tea solution or plain water instead of vinegar dip
• Optional: Scissors to trim thorny backs off bramble or rose leaves
• Optional: Beeswax or artist medium to seal finished prints

One Fun Fold, Endless Occasions: Make a Gift Card Holder

Patti Dolan

• Cardstock card base, 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 in (A2)
• Cardstock Z-fold piece, 9 3/4 x 4 1/4 in (scored at 3 1/4 and 6 1/2 in)
• Patterned paper, 4 x 5 1/4 in (card base front)
• Patterned paper, 4 x 3 in (top fold)
• White cardstock, 4 x 3 in (inside sentiment layer)
• Patterned paper strip, 4 1/4 in wide (gift card pocket)
• Red and white cardstock circles (die cut)
• Die-cut oval/branch pieces
• Sentiment stamps (Merry Christmas, Love and Joy)
• Green ink pad and red ink pad
• Paper trimmer with scoring blade
• Punch (or die) to cut a thumb notch in the pocket
• Strong double-sided tape (Tear and Tape used)
• Adhesive
• Liquid glue
• Foam dimensionals
• Gingham ribbon
• Scissors (ribbon scissors)
• Glue dots
• Small gold embellishment
• Gift card
• Optional: Embossed layers instead of patterned paper
• Optional: Different papers to adapt for birthdays or other occasions
• Patti's own paper crafting supplies

Create a Vintage-Style Christmas Tags Bundle

Adeline Ma

Supply list coming soon. Check back closer to the event.

More Than a Christmas Card: Create an "Open When" Gift They’ll Reach for All Year

Corinne Schmitt

• Envelopes (any kind: plain, kraft, colored, mini or manila)
• Paper or note cards for the letters
• Pen
• Container to package the set (ribbon, small box, recipe box, bin, basket or gift bag)
• Optional: Stickers, stamps or doodles to label and decorate envelopes
• Optional: Instruction card
• Optional: Gift tag
• Optional: Small fillers: photos, a family recipe, small gift card, confetti, puzzle or Sudoku pages, brain teaser, stickers, gum, bandages, wipes
• Optional: Free Open When gift starter pack (prompts)

Think You Can’t Letter? Create a Charming Holiday Chalkboard in Less than One Hour

Brittany Bly

• Chalkboard sign (small A-frame used)
• Printed reversed (mirror-image) lettering template, black lettering on white background
• Printer
• Dry chalk
• Chalk ink markers
• Popsicle stick, old credit card or scissor handle (to rub the template)
• Paper towel, tissue or rag, with one edge dampened (for fixing lines and erasing)
• Optional: Painter's tape to hold the template in place
• Optional: Canva or other program to make and flip your own template
• Optional: Mirror (to preview a reversed template)
• Optional: Chalkboard paint, foam brush and a smooth wood board to paint your own chalkboard (2 coats, dry fully)
• Optional: Primer (for metal or mirror surfaces)
• Optional: Lightweight clear acrylic spray coat (to make the design permanent)

Interactive Snowman Surprise Card with Your Cricut

Elena Anderson

• Cricut machine with Design Space
• Speaker's snowman card SVG file
• Light grip mats
• Fine point blade
• Scoring tool (scoring stylus or scoring wheel; Joy: foil transfer tool)
• 0.4 mm black Cricut pen
• Heavyweight cardstock, 100 lb / 300 gsm or more: light blue (full sheet) and dark brown (small piece)
• 65 lb / 176 gsm cardstock: white (about half sheet), white glitter or shimmer (about half sheet), black, red, dark red, light green, medium green, dark green, tan, orange, green glitter (about a quarter sheet each)
• Fine-tip glue bottle
• Scissors
• Bone folder
• Tweezers
• Gem picker
• Fine-tip dark brown marker
• Cool gray alcohol marker
• White gel pen
• Small bronze brad
• Black crystal drops, black glaze pen or a black marker darker than your cardstock (bird's eye)
• Optional: Brayer and spatula
• Optional: Magnetic discs (holds the hat closed)
• Optional: Metal snips (to trim the brad)

A Printable Cottage Core Christmas: Create Charming Cards Without Expensive Craft Supplies

Janet Trieschman

• Speaker's two printable card designs (green and pink)
• Printer and printer paper (32 lb used)
• Two 4 x 6 in card bases (cream watercolor paper used)
• Paper trimmer
• Scissors (for fussy cutting)
• Pencil
• Tape runner
• Foam tape
• Ink blending tool
• Brown ink (any brown)
• Wet glue
• Optional: Ribbon (sheer) for a bow
• Optional: Glitter glue (crystal and gold)
• Optional: Baby wipes
• Optional: Heat tool
• Optional: Fray check or a lighter to seal ribbon ends
• Optional: Scrap paper

8 Holiday Tree Cards

Einat Kessler

• Card bases
• Cardstock and double-sided patterned paper (scraps work)
• Scissors
• Glue
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Scoring tool
• Ink for edges
• Foam tape
• Transparency sheet (shaker card)
• Sequins and small beads (shaker card)
• Stickers, rhinestones and small embellishments
• Squares from 3 1/2 in down to 1 1/2 in, in 1/2 in steps (folded origami tree)
• Circle cutter, or a plate to trace (half-circle tree)
• Paper strips about 1/4 in wide (strip tree)
• Double-sided cardstock, 4 1/2 x 11 in, scored at 1/2, 2 3/4, 3 1/4, 5 1/2, 7 3/4, 8 1/4 and 10 1/2 in (pop-up tree)
• Optional: Mesh or textured paper for a background
• Optional: Tree die or template (instead of hand-cutting)
• Optional: Velcro dot or magnet (so the standing card can be mailed flat)

Holiday Cards in a Hurry: Batch-Friendly Watercolor Backgrounds Made Easy

Linh Van

• Watercolor paper, 8 1/2 x 11 in (cold press or hot press)
• Water mister / spray bottle
• Lindy's Gang Magicals dye powders (one flat and one shimmer; one light and one dark color, e.g. two greens or two reds)
• Glass craft mat
• Watercolor paintbrush
• A2 card base, 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 in folded
• Red solid cardstock (mat layer)
• Watercolor panel trimmed to 4 x 5 1/4 in
• White cardstock panel for the sentiment
• Sentiment stamp (Merry Christmas)
• Tree dies (to die cut from the green panel)
• Black marker (inexpensive) for outlining die cut edges
• Low-profile foam adhesive
• Peel-off sticker strips (Love from Lizzie used)
• Optional: Heat gun (to speed drying)
• Optional: Gold metallic watercolor or white paint for splattering
• Optional: Diluted Magicals powder for splattering
• Optional: Scanner and color printer to reprint favorite backgrounds

Create Festive Christmas Tags and Treat Toppers with Any Cutting Machine

Terri Johnson

• Cutting machine (Silhouette or Cricut) with software that uploads SVGs
• Speaker's SVG files (Santa, shaker elf tag, treat bag)
• 12 x 12 cutting mat
• Glitter cardstock (red, white, pink)
• Textured 12 x 12 cardstock (black, green, white, skin tone and other colors)
• Green foil cardstock (top layer of shaker frame)
• Acetate sheet (thin is fine)
• Fine-tip liquid glue that dries clear
• Tweezers
• Glass craft mat
• Scrap paper (to blot excess glue)
• Treat bags with adhesive flap
• Candy (Hershey's Kisses used)
• Glue dots or tape runner
• Shaker bits (sequins, crystals, small shapes)
• Damp paper towel (to clean dried glue off foil)
• Optional: Glue press bottle holder (helps with arthritis)
• Optional: Magnetic ruler
• Optional: Small cardstock label for To/From names

Oh Christmas Tree: Paint a Watercolor Christmas Tree

Elyse Dean

• Mixed media sketchbook, 9 x 12 in (or watercolor paper; smaller paper for a card)
• HB pencil
• Eraser
• Watercolor paints (any colors)
• Watercolor brushes
• Water
• Table salt
• Paper towels
• Gel pen or art pen (black)
• Optional: Watercolor paper (buckles less than mixed media paper)
• Optional: Heat gun to speed drying

Paint It, Gift It: Create an Easy Watercolor & Acrylic Winter Tree Scene

Jackie Partridge

• Watercolor paper (fold in half for a card, or keep flat)
• Watercolor paint (palette or tubes; blues and purples for the sky)
• Cup of water
• Salt
• Painter's tape (or washi tape) for the tree trunks
• Acrylic paint: white, cadmium red, cobalt blue, Mars black
• Metallic silver or pearl acrylic paint
• 1 in flat brush
• No. 6 round brush
• No. 2 detail brush
• Optional: Palette knife or plastic knife for thick snow texture
• Optional: Payne's gray instead of black for bark lines
• Optional: Piece of birch bark for reference

From Holiday Chaos to Christmas Keepsake: Create a Planner You’ll Actually Want to Save

Allie Trumpower

Supply list coming soon. Check back closer to the event.

Create 7 Beautiful Christmas Ornaments with Affordable Dollar Tree Supplies

Jasmine Kaur Dhillon

• Acrylic or craft paint (including red, gold, black, white, light blue, orange)
• Paintbrushes, including a thin detail brush
• Hot glue gun
• Twine or string for hanging
• Paint swirl ornament: clear fillable ornament, 3 paint colors, disposable cup for draining
• Snowflake ornament: wood round ornament
• Sock snowman: white sock, cotton balls, rubber bands, toilet paper roll, scissors, orange felt, permanent marker, Christmas ribbon (scarf)
• Disco ball ornament: blank ornament and self-adhesive gold mirror tiles
• Snowman star ornament: wooden star
• Antique frame ornament: small gold frame (place card holder), paper towel, a small painting on canvas paper (or old Christmas card or printed photo), tape
• Clothespin nutcracker and reindeer: wooden clothespins (natural and brown), paint markers (black, red, skin tone, gold, white) or paint with a detail brush
• Optional: Gold paint undercoat on the disco ball before tiling

Mix, Mold & Make: Easy Cornstarch Dough Christmas Ornaments

Shelly Carlson

• Baking soda, 1 cup
• Cornstarch, 1/2 cup
• Water, 3/4 cup
• Saucepan, 2 quart
• Wooden spoon
• Measuring cups
• Stove (medium heat)
• Bowl
• Wet washcloth or towel (to cover dough while it cools)
• Cutting board
• Parchment paper
• Rolling pin (roll to 1/4 in thick)
• Holiday cookie cutters
• Cookie sheet
• Drinking straw for punching hanging holes (or a chopstick)
• Household items to press patterns into dough (old chain, cookie stamp/press, cup lid, salt shaker, fork, evergreen sprig)
• Oven at 175°F
• Ribbon or cord, about 7-8 in per ornament
• Optional: Essential oil (peppermint or spearmint) for scent
• Optional: Food coloring
• Optional: Mini cookie cutters for center cutouts
• Optional: Lace or a doily for texture
• Optional: Fine sandpaper to smooth edges
• Optional: Paint (use as little water as possible)

Crochet Wreath Ornament

Cindy Hopper

• Green yarn in two shades
• Red yarn (small amount, for the bow)
• Size H crochet hook
• Yarn needle
• Scissors
• Optional: Jingle bells (three used)

Quilt as You Go Holiday Ornament

Siobhan Fitzpatrick

• Fabric scraps in a range of sizes (at least one 5 1/2 in long for the tree base)
• Backing fabric, at least 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 in
• Batting scrap about the same size as the backing, at least 5 x 5 in (or thick flannel)
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Fabric scissors
• Pinking shears
• Ruler
• Optional: Rotary cutter and cutting mat (recommended)
• Optional: Buttons
• Optional: Twill tape or ribbon (hanger or tree trunk)
• Optional: Embroidery floss
• Optional: Fabric pen or marker (for reusable gift tags)

From Boring Bauble to Handmade Treasure

Nancy Hall

• DK yarn (leftover scraps are fine; two colors used)
• 4 mm crochet hook
• Stitch marker
• Scissors
• Tapestry needle
• Christmas bauble to cover
• Optional: Ribbon, twine or yarn for a hanging loop
• Optional: Small bow
• Optional: Charms to hang from the bottom (mini bauble, Christmas jumper charm, pearls)
• Optional: Metallic or white yarn instead of red/green

Create a Lightweight Clay Poinsettia Brooch or Ornament

Kira McCoy

• Sculpey Ultralight clay (white)
• Small amount of yellow Sculpey Souffle or Premo clay (flower centers)
• Alcohol inks in green and red (Ranger Meadow, Watermelon, Cranberry used)
• Ink applicators
• Metal brooch pin back (style with holes)
• Glitter (green and holographic gold)
• Smooth unglazed ceramic tile (baking surface)
• Oven at 275°F
• Flexible clay blade
• Dotting tool / ball stylus
• Clay sculpting tool with flat edge
• Small silicone dish
• Inexpensive throwaway brush
• Gloss glaze (Sculpey UV gloss glaze or acrylic gloss medium)
• Acrylic paint for the back (copper iridescent used)
• Gold paint pen
• Optional: Oven thermometer
• Optional: Texture sponge for the back
• Optional: Logo stamp
• Optional: Ribbon (to tie onto a wine bottle or hang as an ornament)
• Optional: Convertible pendant/brooch finding

From Toe to Tradition: Crochet a Classic Santa Stocking

Melissa Steiner

• Yarn, about 3 oz each of two colors (about 6 oz total if one color)
• 5 mm crochet hook
• Scissors
• Darning needle
• Optional: Third color for heel and cuff (white used)

Holiday Door Gnome

Katherine McCrory

• Wreath ring, 14 in (larger ring = larger gnome)
• Red fabric, about 32 x 32 in square (for hat on a 14 in ring)
• Light-colored fabric, 10 x 10 in square (for nose)
• Stuffing or batting
• Yarn or wool (beard, mustache and pom pom)
• Ruler
• Chalk pen
• Pins
• Thread matching the hat fabric
• Hand-sewing needle and thread
• Scissors
• Strong crafting wire (red used to blend with hat)
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Piece of cardboard (for wrapping the pom pom)
• Grommet/eyelet kit with setting tool and hammer (for hanging hole)
• Optional: Craft-only hairbrush to brush out the yarn for a realistic beard
• Optional: Ready-made pom pom instead of making one
• Optional: Extra batting to stuff the hat for a rounder look

Mason Jar Magic: Turn Dollar-Store Jars into Glowing Christmas Luminaries in One Cozy Afternoon

Robin Simmons

• Mason jars, pint and quart (wide mouth)
• Battery tea lights
• Battery fairy lights (one or two strings)
• Twine
• Ribbon scraps
• Frosted jar: rubbing alcohol and paper towel, plain school glue, foam brush, Epsom salt, shallow dish, spoon, wax paper
• Silhouette jar: speaker's printable wraps (free kit), printer, printer paper or vellum/parchment paper, scissors, tape, piece of string for sizing
• Greenery jar: faux pine sprigs, berry stems, small pine cones
• Optional: Zip-top bag and rolling pin to crush Epsom salt finer
• Optional: Real greenery sprig tucked into the twine
• Optional: Hot glue gun (pine cone at the knot)
• Optional: Clear cellophane (keeps fairy lights from sinking)
• Optional: Small square of burlap (hides the battery pack)
• Optional: Kettle steam to fluff flattened faux pine
• Optional: Craft box, shredded paper and gift tags for gifting

Shake, Sip, Sparkle: DIY Holiday Garnishes That Wow Every Guest

Susannah Brinkley Henry

• Oranges
• Limes
• Apple
• Cinnamon sticks
• Whole cloves
• Vegetable peeler (straight or Y-shaped)
• Sharp knife
• Toothpick
• Oven (lowest setting, about 200-225°F) or air fryer
• Fresh rosemary sprigs
• Kitchen shears
• Simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water) or rosemary syrup
• Granulated white sugar
• Paper towels
• Airtight bag for storing dried fruit
• Optional: Coarse cane sugar / sanding sugar (second texture)
• Optional: Ground cinnamon (sprinkled on apple slices)
• Optional: Watered-down honey instead of simple syrup
• Optional: Other citrus: grapefruit, lemons, blood oranges
• Optional: Mandoline slicer (use with care)
• Optional: Fresh cranberries (for sugared cranberries or extra color)

Think Outside the Ornament: Make Your Own Christmas Tree Picks!

Paula Iniguez & Cori George

Supply list coming soon. Check back closer to the event.