If you’re anything like me, you’re already starting to gather your supplies for Christmas crafting . . . because we know (from experience!) that getting started early makes the whole process so much more enjoyable than rushing at the last minute. Anything, then, that can be done ahead of time is completely worth considering.

But, what about food gifts, can they really be started early? I think so! Granted, not your cookies and cakes, but there is a very common ingredient that’s in nearly 75% of all the Christmas baking recipes I make that I think qualifies. I’ve experimented with this delectable elixir throughout the year also to discover that it adds a depth of flavor and richness to recipes that don’t actually call for it. It’s both the perfect gift for your culinary friends and for use in your own Christmas baking. The best part is you can make it yourself for about 5 times less than if you bought it at the grocery store! But, you must start now. The ingredient is . . .

PURE VANILLA EXTRACT!

It’ll take you only about half an hour to make it, and then another 4-6 months for it to develop into its delicious goodness. All you’ll need to do in December is fill some fun bottles, and wrap! Here’s the recipe I use:

Ingredients

1 750 ml bottle of inexpensive vodka

24 vanilla beans (check Amazon if you’re grocer doesn’t carry them)

Instructions

• Pour out about 1/2 to 1/3 cup of the vodka and set it aside.
• Split the vanilla beans and scrape the seeds out.
• Funnel the seeds into the bottle, cap it and shake gently to combine.
• Add the vanilla pods to the bottle and the vodka that was set aside in step one, and cap.
• Stash the bottle away in the basement or other dark, cool place for 6 months.

That’s it! When the vodka is dark and syrupy, it’s ready! Pick up some cute little bottles, fill and give as gifts to your culinary friends. They’ll think of you every time they bake.

Photo credit

Did you know there are only 221 days until Christmas? Some of us never quite put Christmas away, it’s forever in our heart! We’re always thinking and planning, dreaming up something new and creative, hiding away gifts year-round for the people we love.

Crafters are busy creating their best handmade gifts for holiday fairs that thousands of people count on for their holiday giving. Christmas tree farmers are planting and trimming and shaping; can’t you just see them, smiling and whistling as they do their work?  And, even nonprofit organizations are getting in on the fun with their “half-Christmas” benefits.

I read this morning about one such event that takes place in Chaska, Minnesota every year called Christmas in May. Modeled after a national program, groups of volunteers in the Chaska community get together for one day to do home repairs for free for homeowners who apply to the program. They paint. They fix decks. They landscape.  And, this year the city is joining in the effort and kicking in new energy efficient appliances, utilizing the funds in their Conservation Improvement Program. Christmas in May has been at this business of blessing the socks off of lower income homeowners now for 17 years.

Are you thinking of someone right now who you’d like to bless the socks off of too? While they’re fresh in your mind, go ahead and browse through our online store and find just the perfect stocking or decoration for them. Not sure what they would like? We’ve got you covered with gift certificates, available in any amount.

We’ve also been busy pulling together some new, fun items that we think you’re going to love. Look for them in our new catalog, due out here in a few short weeks.

So, ignore those naysayers who disparage stores who pull out Christmas items early. It is never too early or too late to show some Christmas spirit!

Photo courtesy of Chaska Herald

We were recently sent a photo of the kit entitled “The Skaters”. This is a 2012 released Bucilla Stocking kit measuring 18″. For ordering information, click here: The Skaters Bucilla Stocking Kit. Thanks for sending the photo M. Wood!

Today we were sent a completed photo of a completed Bucilla stocking kit entitled “Irish Santa”. The stocking was done very well and looks awesome! Notice the clear sequins were swapped out for a “crystal” look, a very nice touch. Thanks to Betty for sending this in!

Irish Santa Bucilla Christmas stocking kit

Today’s post is a photo of the fourth and final Bucilla stocking that will be released in April 2013. This kit is entitled Gingerbread Frame Bucilla Stocking Kit and uniquely has a place for a photo. Take a look!

Today’s stocking, Traditional Santa Bucilla Stocking Kit, is the 3rd of 4 new kits that are going to be released sometime in the month of April. Stay tuned early next week for the release of the fourth image. Check out our Facebook page to save money on the new kits coming out: Facebook.

As we stated on Monday, Bucilla is releasing four new Christmas stocking kits in April. On Monday we revealed one of the four stockings forthcoming – Peace and Love Santa Bucilla Stocking Kit. Today’s stocking that we are sharing is called Snowman with Presents Bucilla Christmas stocking kit. Please like us on Facebook and get a code to save money on these new kits! If you are interested in that, here is the link: New bucilla stockings on Facebook. Stay tuned for the revelation of the last two Bucilla stockings coming out in April of 2013. Thanks for reading!

Bucilla is coming out with four new Christmas Stocking Kits in a few short weeks. MerryStockings will of course have the new stockings in large supply as well as the other Holiday decor items such as wall hangings, ornaments, etc. Over the next few days we will be posting a photo of forthcoming items for you to see. We have a discount code that is available for these new stockings that can be “uncovered” by liking us on Facebook. If you are interested in that, here is the link: New bucilla stockings on Facebook. The new stocking that we are showing today is called Peace and Love Santa Bucilla Stocking Kit, check it out:

In the fall of 2012, MerryStockings partnered with Bucilla and brought to market an old Vintage Bucilla Stocking kit entitled Black Bear Bonfire. This effort was very successful and lots of our Bucilla stocking customers snatched this adorable kit from our virtual shelves. This fun, adorable Christmas stocking kit has matching Christmas tree ornaments. The colors and general motif of the stocking are matched in these ornaments. The Black Bear Bonfire ornament kit has 6 pieces and all the of them are about 5″x 5″ in size. We have an image of the kits shown below and think these adorable ornaments will be a great compliment to the stocking kit. Thanks for your support and if you have questions, comments, or want to see another Vintage kit brought back into production, let us know about it!

Thanks much,

MerryStockings

$23.99 and available at MerryStockings.com

MerryStockings has partnered again with Bucilla|Plaid Enterprises to bring back some discontinued/vintage Bucilla Christmas stocking kits. This release of kits will be available in 2013 during the month of March. This is our largest release of older discontinued kits to date. We are very excited about this list and believe it will fulfill the desires of our customers who have been searching for these older kits. The list can be seen in this cute graphic below. Thanks for shopping MerryStockings for your Bucilla Christmas Stocking Felt Applique Kit needs. We appreciate your business!! These kits will ONLY be found at MerryStockings.com.

This graphic shows the Bucilla Felt Stocking Kits that MerryStockings is releasing in partnership with Bucilla in March 2013. NO other distributor will have these kits!