The festive period is a chance for families to meet up and spend quality time together. This normally involves mixing with older generations which provides a great opportunity to connect as well as learn key skills which are at risk of being lost in today’s society…
Crafting Is An Effective Form Of Relatedness
In her latest book, Craft Psychology: How crafting promotes health, Anne Kirketerp discusses how simple craft activities are an effective form of relatedness. Relatedness refers to feeling connected with someone/something. Anne goes on to explain that this feeling occurs when we are crafting for loved ones. This is through the love and time spent making something, as well as the joy felt by the recipient when they receive their gift. Creating something that becomes a family heirloom is a perfect example of handmade gifts creating a sense of relatedness across generations. Whether that’s a baby blanket that grandma knitted or a framed cross stitch piece that’s passed down the family, craft unites us.
An Opportunity To Connect With Older Generations
The festive period is a great opportunity to meet up with friends and family, which often means spending time with an array of different ages. Crafting together at this time is a great chance to create memories, build relationships and build bridges between generations. Traditionally, this is how needlecraft skills are passed down through families. There are many simple craft activities you can do with family members so that everyone can get involved. We have lots of beginner-friendly free patterns you can download, which is a great place to begin. Whatever your shared skillset, crafting can be a fun and rewarding activity for everyone.
Preserving Crafts For Future Generations
Research by the British Heart Foundation* identified that 57% of Brits say that sewing is a skill that is being lost in today’s generation, with 50% having to ask their mothers to help fix their clothes. This demonstrates how important it is to stay connected with the older generations to learn key skills before they are lost. Gathering together at Christmas time is a great chance for younger generations to learn such skills from elders and express creativity. Why not sit with older family members this festive season and get creative? There are many activities to try out such as painting, drawing, sewing, knitting and much more.
