Christmas Craft Supplies: What to Buy Before Starting

Buy Christmas craft supplies from a project list, not from a list of everything a crafter might own. Decide how many finished pieces you need, measure each decoration area, and work out the material layout before choosing sheet packs or rolls. Include one trial piece and the finishing supplies that make the gift usable.

The three sample lists below cover gift tags, vinyl ornaments, and fabric gift bags. Their quantities are planning examples, not tested yields. Replace the dimensions with your own and check the usable cutting area in your software before buying.

Write a bill of materials for each project

For every project, record five things: finished quantity, blank size, design size, material type, and finishing method. “Twelve ornaments, each with one name and one ribbon loop” is useful. “Christmas vinyl supplies” leaves too many decisions until the cutting machine is already running.

Separate supplies you consume from equipment you already own. Check the correct blade, mat, and application tools before replacing anything. Our beginner Cricut tools guide covers those basics; this list focuses on quantities for your chosen projects.

Project one: 24 handwritten gift tags

For simple single-layer tags measuring 2 by 3 inches, start with this list:

• Four Letter-size cardstock sheets: three production sheets and one trial or spare sheet.
• A pen that writes clearly on the chosen cardstock.
• Twine for 24 ties, plus a little extra to try the knot.
• A way to cut the rectangles and make the attachment holes.

A 3-by-3 arrangement of these tags, with quarter-inch gaps, occupies 6.5 by 9.5 inches. That fits inside a 7.5-by-10-inch planning area on an 8.5-by-11-inch sheet. Nine tags per sheet means three production sheets provide 27 blanks for 24 gifts. Confirm that your cutting method can use that layout.

If each tie uses 12 inches of twine, 24 ties use 288 inches, or 8 yards. That is the bare requirement, not an allowance for mistakes or larger bows. Tie one sample before cutting every length.

You do not need adhesive or transfer tape for this single-layer, handwritten design. If you machine-cut the tags, choose the mat for the actual cardstock and test the cut. Cricut's cardstock instructions distinguish mat choices by material and specifically say not to use transfer tape on cardstock.

Project two: 12 named flat ornaments

Keep this batch to one vinyl color and one name per ornament. Measure the usable decoration area, excluding the hanging hole and any border, before deciding the name size.

• Thirteen compatible flat ornament blanks: twelve gifts and one sample.
• Adhesive vinyl with room for thirteen name layouts and a little spare space.
• Fresh transfer-tape pieces in the grip specified for that vinyl.
• Ribbon for thirteen trial-and-finished hanging loops.
• A blank-compatible cleaning method and a scraper for application.

Suppose every name fits within 2.5 by 1.25 inches. Reserve a 3-by-2-inch block for each name to allow working room. A 3-by-5 grid needs a 9-by-10-inch usable area and provides fifteen blocks: twelve names, one test, and two spares. A nominal 12-inch sheet is not a promise that every inch is cuttable; verify the preview.

Use the same block size to estimate transfer tape, and do not budget on reusing one piece indefinitely. Cricut does not recommend reusing its transfer tape because its grip decreases with use. For thirteen 10-inch ribbon pieces, 4 yards provides 144 inches, leaving 14 inches after the planned cuts.

Confirm that the blank and vinyl are a suitable pair. Cricut's adhesive-vinyl instructions call for a clean, dry surface. Follow the blank supplier's preparation guidance rather than assuming every plastic or coating tolerates the same cleaner.

Project three: six fabric gift bags

For six finished bags with one 3-by-4-inch motif each, plan for seven heat-compatible fabric blanks so you have a full sample. Match the HTV to the actual fabric rather than buying by color alone.

• Seven compatible bags, counting the sample.
• HTV with room for seven 4-by-5-inch planning blocks.
• The product-specified carrier or pressing sheet and any required protective supplies.
• Compatible pressing equipment and a suitable pressing surface.

Two blocks across and three down make an 8-by-15-inch production layout for six designs. Add a separate 4-by-5-inch test piece. That 15-inch layout may need a longer compatible mat or splitting into smaller cuts; check your setup before choosing the roll length.

Use the Cricut Heat Guide for supported Cricut material and press combinations, or the instructions for your chosen product. Include preparation and care time in your schedule, not just cutting time. For example, Everyday Iron-On's instructions include fabric preparation and a 24-hour wait before washing.

Check the layout before adding a waste allowance

Start with the number of complete designs that fit, then add the trial and spare pieces. Dividing total design area by sheet area can underestimate what you need because it ignores margins, gaps, and awkward shapes. Count each color separately when a design has multiple layers.

Check labeled scraps before opening a new roll. A narrow strip may cover the ornament names even when it cannot fit a bag motif. Use our scrap-size project guide to sort usable leftovers, keeping adhesive vinyl separate from HTV.

If you change the tags to a printed project, check the printer's media limits and the material's printer compatibility before buying. Avery explains why inkjet and laser materials are not automatically interchangeable. Then complete one sample from blank to finished gift. Buy the remaining supplies only after that sample confirms the dimensions, materials, and finish you want.