This Christmas, after a difficult year for everyone, there's a swing towards giving gifts that have been handcrafted and made with love.
Whether it's because people got hooked on hobbies like knitting or sewing during the Covid-19 lockdowns or they've had to tighten their budget or they've come to appreciate handmade presents over mass-produced, there seems to be a resurgence in crafting special Christmas gifts, says Nick Casey, PR and communications manager of retailer Spotlight.
"It's always been popular but I think this year people are seeing there is more value in giving a handmade gift that has had some thought and time put into it, rather than going out and spending heaps of money," he says.
"You can't put a price on the love and effort that goes into a handmade gift and I think a lot of people really appreciate them, especially if they have been personalised."
Even if you don't consider yourself to be "crafty", there are many options for different types of crafts anyone can tackle, from creating necklaces and bracelets using personalised beads, through to making bespoke candles and soaps.
"Our tagline is Life's What You Make It and I think that is important to remember. You don't have to be a master craftsperson, it's about the gift being meaningful. The act of giving is the most important thing."
Handmade Christmas cards and decorations is also popular, particularly among children, and Spotlight has a huge range of products to help.
"When school is finished and Christmas is around the corner and parents are run off their feet organising everything, giving the kids a Christmas craft pack to do is a double whammy," says Casey. "It keeps them engaged in something creative and, at the end of it, you have the very cool Christmas things they have made."
Meanwhile crafting packs like candle-making or embroidery kits make excellent gifts: "They're great to give kids because it keeps them occupied in the holidays and stops them staring at screens. It could start a hobby they want to continue."
And, if our summer does end up wet and warm this year, as forecast, crafting is a good way of keeping them busy while they are stuck inside when it's raining, Casey says: "Plus it gives them a great sense of accomplishment when they've worked on something and can see what they have achieved."
It's not just children who benefit – crafting appeals to people of all ages, says Casey. Spotlight is noticing a re-emergence of crafts many of us remember being popular when we were younger.
"There are a couple of trends from the 1970s that people are getting back into, which is really interesting to see," says Casey. "One of those is macrame, which has been bubbling away as a trend for about 12 months, perhaps because we are seeing a lot of 70s-inspired home décor.
"We stock macrame wall hangings in store but found that people wanted to be able to make them themselves. It's become so big that we're not only selling the products to make them, but we are producing our own books with patterns and instructions.
"The other thing that is really taking off is faux floristry using dried florals. It's definitely become a trend in the events industry – for example, a lot of people are asking for faux floristry for weddings; now people want to try it themselves."
The fact dried flowers last so much longer than fresh ones may account for some of the appeal, Casey says. "You can dye the flowers and get really creative with them and then you've got longevity with them."
Crafting is much easier to do these days, thanks to the huge range of products available and the fact there is plenty of inspiration to be gained online. Spotlight's website is full of ideas, while sites like Instagram and YouTube offer thousands of tutorial videos on every hobby imaginable.
"A lot of our customers share what they've made, and how they did it, online. They make incredible things, and you can see that the sky really is the limit."