I don’t know about you, but the holiday season sparks a burst of creativity in me. My Pinterest boards fill up, craft supplies magically multiply, and my brain buzzes with visions of handmade gifts, wreaths, ornaments, quilts, candles, cards—beautiful things that warm the season with personal meaning.

But somewhere between the hot glue gun and the gift wrap aisle, reality steps in. There are only so many hours in a day, only so many quiet mornings before my family wakes up and daily doings start, and only so much mental capacity I can give.

And that’s when the huge slap of reality hits me full on in the face.

I mentioned in my previous post about some cross stitch projects I planned to give as gifts. The ones for my kids (the smaller ones) have been finished, but concerning the two larger projects…I’ve decided to be a quitter.

The project on the right is 3/4 of page 1 done. There’s still 4 more pages. The one on the right…that one has so many color changes across 6 pages that my fingers ache just thinking about it, lol.

I feel guilty when I think about abandoning these projects, but I’ve realized that trying to finish them with a little less than six weeks left before Christmas is stressing me out.

Crafting is supposed to be calming, joyful, creative, and grounding. Yet during this holiday season, it’s turned into a race against time—a pressure to create “perfect,” meaningful, handmade everything.

That pressure steals the joy instead of adding to it.

And so, I’m quitting…just the two unfinished projects, not the holidays, lol.

And it’s okay. I’ll be okay, Christmas hasn’t been ruined…at least, that’s what I have to keep telling myself. A bit dramatic, but my anxiety-riddled, stressed out brain tends to be dramatic. And again, it’s okay.

Half-finished projects shouldn’t whisper “not enough” every time you see them. They’re simply ideas waiting for the right season—not obligations.

So, whenever I happen to see those unfinished projects sitting in the corner of my craft room, I tell myself:

I don’t have to finish everything.
I don’t even have to try.
Postponing doesn’t mean failing.

I think the kindest thing I can do for myself at this point is place a bookmark in the project and return to it later. I’m thinking…next holiday season. Besides, there’s other things that need to be done, things that I can manage and accomplish without feeling like a cloud of doom is hanging over my head.

My peace is more important than cross stitch (even though it’s currently my number one crafting obsession!). There’s beauty in choosing presence over productivity.

As I’ve agonized over whether or not to postpone these projects, I’ve come to realize that my worth isn’t measured in handmade gifts, decorated tables, or beautifully embroidered stockings.

This season is about love, warmth, connection, and rest—not achievement.

Crafting can wait. Peace can’t.

So here’s my gentle encouragement to myself (and to you, if you’ve found yourself in the same boat): close the craft bin, pour a cup of something warm, and let yourself enjoy this season without the glue-gun guilt.

Your projects will be waiting.

And when you return, they’ll feel like joy again—not pressure.