I don’t celebrate the “usual” way… and that’s okay

After decades in retail, Christmas slowly became the hardest time of the year for me—packed schedules, long days, and honestly, the least amount of free time. There were years where I loved the idea of the season… but not the pace of it.

One year, I tried something that felt super practical and kind of rebellious: I did all my Christmas shopping in July.

And you know what? It worked… but it also kind of killed the fun of Christmas for me. No cozy sparkle, no last-minute excitement, no “I can’t wait to give this!” feeling. It was just a checklist… completed early.

That experiment changed my perspective in a bigger way than I expected.

It made me rethink what gifting is really for

I started asking myself questions like:

• Does there have to be a “right” time to gift?
• Can it be on my schedule?
• Is it okay to give without perfect reciprocation or matching timing?
• Can gifting be more about meaning… and less about the calendar yelling at us?

Because the truth is—gift giving is one of the sweetest ways we say what we feel about someone. And to be able to do it in a personal, handmade way? That is pretty darn cool. 💛

Last-minute shopping is stressful… even when you care a lot

Let’s talk about the other side of it: last-minute gifting can be so stressful. Even when you do care, you don’t want to be that friend who looks like they forgot… or like they didn’t try.

And sometimes you’re not actually late—you’re just busy, overloaded, or trying to do too much all at once. So here’s your permission slip: You don’t have to force it.

You don’t have to crowd everything into Christmas

If you’re feeling behind, overwhelmed, or just not in the mood to sprint through holiday shopping— there are so many other beautiful ways to gift:

• a gift to yourself (highly encouraged 😄)
• a Happy New Year gift
• a Valentine’s gift
• a Chinese New Year present
• a “just because I thought of you” gift in January, February, or whenever life calms down

Truly: don’t feel pressured to get it NOW just because the season is loud. Get it (or make it) when it feels right… when it’s available, when you’re inspired, and when you’re ready.

My favorite way to celebrate is helping you make gifts

So what do I do for Christmas?

I help other people make gifts. 💛

That’s the part that still feels magical to me: seeing someone pick out beads with intention, imagining who they’re for, choosing colors that mean something, and creating a piece that feels like a hug in wearable form.

Handmade gifts don’t have to be complicated to be meaningful. Sometimes it’s one beautiful strand, one special focal bead, one charm with a story… and suddenly you’ve made something unforgettable.

A little inspiration from my stash (and yours)

👇 Here are some lovely pieces I want to show you—hopefully they’ll inspire you to dig into your own stash and start making right away… or (no judgment 😄) message me if you can’t live without it. 😉✨

Want to shop from my stash? Keep scrolling for the pieces featured in the video, or reach out and I’ll help you pick the perfect “you’ve-got-this” gift item.

However you celebrate… I hope it feels good

If you’re celebrating big, celebrating quietly, celebrating differently, or not really celebrating at all— I just want you to know you’re not “doing it wrong.”

You’re allowed to create your own rhythm. And if making something beautiful helps you feel grounded, connected, and a little more you— then that counts as celebrating in my book.

With love,
Jamie (and The Bead Gallery Ohana) 💛✨