Finding Calm in Creativity: Art as an Anchor for the Holidays

The winter holidays are a time of joy, but they can also bring their fair share of stress. Between social commitments, endless to-do lists, and the pressure to make everything perfect, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. This year, consider using art as your anchor—an outlet for mindfulness, connection, and joy. Whether it’s through decorating, gift-making, or simply spending time creating with loved ones, art offers a unique way to slow down and make the season truly meaningful.

Handmade Holiday Traditions

Art doesn’t have to be complicated to bring people together. Adding a creative touch to your holiday traditions can transform ordinary activities into cherished memories.

DIY Decorations with Heart

Store-bought decorations are convenient, but handmade ones tell a story. Gather friends or family for an afternoon of crafting:

• Personalized Ornaments: Use simple materials like glass baubles, wooden slices, or salt dough. Paint them with family names, dates, or winter scenes. For a modern twist, try acrylic pouring techniques or add gold leaf for an elegant finish.
• Natural Wreaths: Forage for pinecones, evergreen branches, and dried berries. Arrange them on a wire or grapevine base, and personalize with painted wooden beads, ribbons, or clay figures. The result? A beautiful, nature-inspired decoration—and a fun bonding activity.

Thoughtful Handmade Gifts

Gifting handmade items shows care and effort, creating keepsakes that last.

• Handmade Christmas Cards: Crafting personalized cards adds a heartfelt touch to your holiday greetings. Leia recommends trying your hand at watercolor cards, and this Skillshare Staff Pick class, Handmade for the Holidays: Easy Watercolor Christmas Cards, is a great place to start. You can explore this class and thousands more by trying out Skillshare with this link: https://skl.sh/3GaRJEr.
• Hand-Bound Journals: Create beautiful, hand-bound journals or photo albums. Decorate the covers with unique patterns and leave space for the recipient to fill with memories.
• Unique Wrapping: Turn your gift wrap into part of the present. Use craft paper as a canvas, and decorate it with hand-drawn patterns, stamps, or paint. Top it off with twine and a handmade clay tag or a dried flower sprig.

Creative Activities to Bond and Relax

Creative activities can also become holiday traditions themselves:

• Collaborative Painting Projects: Set up a blank canvas and let everyone contribute. Choose a theme like “Winter Dreams” or let it flow naturally. The final piece will reflect your family’s dynamic and creativity.
• Holiday Sketching Nights: Gather around with sketchbooks and pencils to draw festive still-life arrangements or playful portraits. It’s less about creating masterpieces and more about spending quality time together.

Black Friday Picks: Get Ready for Creative Holiday Fun

If you’re planning to stock up on art supplies for the season, Black Friday is the perfect time to prepare. Here are some of my favorite shops offering amazing deals:

• Etter Art Shop: Enjoy 20% off their products this week (https://www.resin-shop.de).
• Boesner: Their Winter Offer Season runs until December 20th, so it’s a great time to stock up (https://www.boesner.com/aktionsangebote).
• Gerstaecker: Find discounts ranging from 10% to 51% on essentials like brushes and paints (https://www.gerstaecker.de).

These stores have everything you need to check off your holiday shopping list and prepare for creative activities that bring people together.

Quick disclaimer: These are the three online shops I personally use for art supplies here in Germany. If you're based elsewhere, I recommend checking out local suppliers first. They often have great deals, shorter delivery times, and you might even get to browse in-store—which always makes the experience more enjoyable!

Embrace the Joy of Creating Together

Art has a way of grounding us, especially during busy times. It encourages mindfulness, sparks connection, and reminds us what the holidays are truly about—creating moments of joy with the people we care about. Whether it’s crafting decorations, painting gifts, or simply spending an evening sketching by the fire, these activities offer a chance to slow down and appreciate the season.

This holiday season, let creativity be your anchor. Start a tradition of making art together. You’ll be giving yourself and your loved ones the gift of shared experiences—and creating memories that will brighten your holidays for years to come.