Lesson six: batch making is your friend

Personalised presents have been the height of covetability since Burberry offered to emblazon its cashmere scarves – softer-than-a-new-born-lamb – with your initials. After all, we all want to be the givers of heartfelt, dynamic gifts.

But in a world where almost everyone we know, has almost everything they really need, the likelihood of giving a gift, which packs any kind of emotional punch is slim. Handmade adds significance to what could have become – through years of friendship – a perfunctory ritual. It says “I have spent time on you; I have exerted myself to give you something that no-one else in the world has, something that is as unique as you.” (Cue waterworks).

Having said that, I didn’t actually have loads of time so I quickly whipped up four lemon and thyme sea-salt body scrubs (a tip from the Stylist beauty team – mix sea salt and almond oil to a slushy consistency then, per jar, add the zest of one lemon and a teaspoon of fresh thyme). It took all of 15 minutes, they smelled zingy and delicious and altogether cost around £20. I’d highly recommend, they’re pretty and practical (my mum will find one in her stocking this year).

Lesson seven: lino print

While there are certain makes that I probably wouldn’t attempt again (felt doves. In fact, any felt decorations, much too fiddly), I did thoroughly enjoy lino printing.

It was the most soothing part of the entire crafting-Christmas bonanza. I made each person their own design and framed it. I found that there was something particularly gratifying about carving with a sharp implement. It felt a bit dangerous. And when you’re spending your days baking and sewing, you do start to crave a bit of danger. It made me wonder how exactly Kirstie Allsopp gets her kicks…

Lesson eight: get your pals involved

If I attempted handmade Christmas again I’d also rope in some friends. Having someone to share the burden would have made it all vastly more manageable. It’s just nice to have someone to turn to when you successfully pop up your first origami Christmas tree and go, “Look! It stands on its own!”

Ultimately, the drunker they got the more effusive my friends became about my success. “How did you ice all those biscuits?” (Badly, don’t look too close). “What did you use to glaze the mushrooms?” (Were they glazed?) And I guess there’s a lesson in this too: ply them with enough booze, and your friends will love anything you make this Christmas.

*an entirely made-up syndrome

'Tis the season to DIY: Stylist attempts a handmade Christmas (and how you can do it too)