When Should You Start Holiday Shopping for Handmade Gifts?

I know, I know… it’s September. The kids are barely back in school, the leaves are only just barely starting to change, and some of us are absolutely not ready to hear the word “Christmas” yet.

But hear me out.

If handmade gifts are on your list this year, September and October are actually the perfect time to start thinking about them. Not necessarily to have every gift purchased and wrapped before Halloween, but to start making your list, finding the pieces you love, and ordering anything handmade before the holiday rush begins (because handmade businesses are so, so busy this time of year).

Handmade Takes Time

When you purchase something handmade, there isn't a warehouse filled with thousands of identical products waiting to ship.

There is a real person behind that order.

At Nicnakknits, each blanket is handmade by me, Nicole. From choosing materials and creating colour combinations to actually making and finishing each blanket, there is time, attention and a whole lot of my heart in every single blanket that goes out my door.

As we move closer to the holidays, order volumes increase, and the truth is that there are still only so many hours in the day and blankets that one pair of hands can make.

Shopping earlier gives your maker the time they need to create your gift without the pressure of those last-minute December deadlines.

You'll Have the Best Selection

If you've ever found the perfect gift only to discover that the colour or size you wanted is sold out, you already know where I'm going with this.

The closer we get to the holidays, the more likely popular colours, collections and sizes are to sell out.

Shopping in September or October means you're choosing from a much wider selection instead of deciding between what's left.

And when you're buying something as personal as a handmade blanket, you want to be able to choose the one that immediately makes you think, "That's SO them."

A Blanket Is One of Those Gifts That Actually Gets Used

We all have enough stuff.

That's why I love giving gifts that are beautiful but also genuinely useful.

A handmade blanket isn't something that gets opened on Christmas morning and forgotten about a few weeks later. It becomes part of someone's home and their everyday routines.

It's there for movie nights and Sunday morning coffee. It's thrown over the couch, brought to the cottage, curled up under with a good book and grabbed on chilly evenings.

And because Nicnakknits blankets are machine washable, they're made to actually be lived in and loved, not just looked at.

They're Perfect for the Hard-to-Buy-For People

You know the ones (I have so many of them in my life).

The parents who tell you they don't need anything. The couple who already seems to have everything. The person whose answer is always, "Don't get me anything!"

A beautiful handmade blanket feels special without requiring you to know someone's exact clothing size, favourite skincare product or what's currently sitting on their Amazon wish list.

Choose a colour that suits their home, pick the right size, and you have a thoughtful gift they'll be able to enjoy for years.

They're especially lovely gifts for parents and grandparents, newlyweds, new homeowners, hosts, teachers, close friends—or even as one larger family gift.

Starting Early Makes December Easier

This might be my favourite reason of all.

Imagine entering December with some of your biggest gifts already purchased.

No panic ordering. No obsessively checking shipping notifications. No wondering whether something will arrive by Christmas Eve.

You can actually just enjoy the most magical month of the year.

Starting your holiday shopping early doesn't mean you need to turn on the Christmas music in September. It simply means spreading out your shopping, supporting small businesses before their busiest season, and giving yourself one less thing to worry about later.

And Yes, You Can Absolutely Gift Yourself One

Holiday shopping rules clearly state that if you find something you love while shopping for everyone else, you're allowed to add yourself to the list.

Okay… maybe I made that rule up.

But I'm standing by it.

Whether you're shopping for someone you love or finally treating yourself to the blanket you've had your eye on, buying earlier means you'll have it ready for the entire cozy season ahead.

So, When Should You Start?

If you're planning to give handmade this holiday season, September is the perfect time to start looking, and October is a great time to start ordering.

You don't need to finish your Christmas shopping tomorrow. But making your list now (and checking off those special handmade gifts early) means you'll have the best selection, plenty of time, and a much less stressful holiday season.

And every time you choose handmade, you're doing something else pretty special too: you're supporting a real person, a small business, and the work that allows makers like me to keep creating.

So maybe we're not officially Christmas shopping yet…

We're just planning ahead. 😉🎄