We all know the feeling: January 1st hits, and we’re suddenly buried under a mountain of tangled tinsel and half-finished projects. But what if 2026 wasn’t just another year of “I’ll get to it eventually”?

Instead of waiting for the ball to drop, let’s get a head start! Here are 10 modified crafting resolutions you can start right now to make sure your 2026 is your most creative, stress-free year yet.

1. The Pre-Game Reflection

Before the holiday chaos reaches its peak, take five minutes with a mug of cocoa. What was your favorite handmade gift you made this year? What project made you want to pull your hair out? Use those “lessons learned” to pivot your 2026 goals before the new year even begins.

2. The “Future You” Ornament Audit

Don’t just toss broken baubles back into the bin on December 26th! As you decorate now, keep a small “Hospital Box”on your craft table. If an ornament loses a hook or a bead, fix it immediately or set it aside for a dedicated repair session before they go into storage.

3. Organize as You Go

Instead of the post-Christmas “shove everything in a box” method, prep your storage containers today. Label boxes for “Handmade Knits,” “Vintage Glass,” and “DIY Garlands.” Future You will be doing a happy dance when you find exactly what you need next November.

4. Rescue the Paper Goods

Holiday cards are tiny works of art! Instead of letting them clutter the mantel, resolve to save the best ones. Grab a hole punch and a binder ring to create a “2025 Card Flipbook,” or prep a scrapbook page now so you can slip them in as they arrive.

5. Be Your Own Paparazzi

We often forget to photograph the gifts we give away! Make a resolution to snap a high-quality photo of every craft you finish this December. These photos will be the blueprint for your 2025 portfolio (and great for Instagram!).

6. The “Waste Not” Gift Wrap Station

The recycling bin shouldn’t get all the glory. Save those sturdy cardboard tubes and the “too small to wrap a box” scraps of paper. They are perfect for making 2026 gift tags, junk journal pockets, or mixed-media art.

7. The Great December Finish-Line

Got a half-knitted scarf from last winter? A painting that’s “90% done”? Challenge yourself to finish one lingering project before Christmas Day. Clearing that physical and mental space makes room for all the shiny new ideas 2026 will bring.

8. Scout the Post-Holiday Sales

Resolution #8 is all about the “Replenish.” Keep an eye out for end-of-season sales at thrift stores and craft shops. Stocking up on red yarn, glitter, and fabric at 75% off in late December is basically an investment in your 2025 creative budget!

9. Build Your “Dream Big” List

While you’re waiting for the cookies to bake, start a digital or paper Crafting Wish List. What technique have you been dying to try? Macramé? Pottery? Woodburning? Write it down now so you can hit the ground running in January.

10. Say “Yes” to the Mess

Don’t be afraid to try a new technique on your holiday DIYs this year. Experiment with a new embroidery stitch on a stocking or a new painting style on a gift tag. Embracing a small challenge now builds the confidence you’ll need for your big 2026 projects!