Crazy A$$ Christmas Crafts Circa 1972


There's a tongue twister of a title for you! Given the relentless Christmas advertising that begins as soon as the Halloween costumes come off, I had promised myself that I would resist posting anything related to the yuletide holiday until the day after Thanksgiving. But when someone sends me scans that include a Toni Tennille wannabe wearing a clear plastic...um, apron (?) how could I not share it sooner?

We can thank the lovely Therese from TrekkerScrapbook (a must-visit for any Trekkies) for this delightful atrocity, Wright's Christmas Book of Trims. Therese came across this booklet in her mother's house and was kind enough to scan and send it to me. It came out in 1972 -- the same year I was born -- and features all of the usual crafts that scream Christmas. You know, clowns, owls, and belts. Yes, the '70s truly were a different time. Let's take a look...if we dare.




"Easy to follow instructions"? "Over 100 things to make"? I'm getting psyched already...




Let's start with some "Fantastic Frolics." Any of these looks will be a big hit at the office holiday party or Christmas Day with the family. And I'm sure that sexy green skirt that completely covers the lower half of your body down to the ankles should entice any red blooded male to "trim your tree."




The kids in the family are going to be expecting gifts. No Xbox or X-men for them, though. Who needs toys when you can whip up cardboard circus animals? Nothing says seasons greetings like helpless zoo animals trapped behind bars in cramped circus train cars. Speaking of the circus, what goes better with circus animals then...




Clowns. Totally creepy clowns made from coffee cans. At least that doggie serves a purpose; he's supposed to be a piggy bank. The clowns? Just there to be the nightmare before Christmas. 




Clowns not your thing? No problem, we have an owl, a pussycat, and some snakes made from something called "rick rack rope." (Actually, I think the snakes look kind of cool...but have no business being in a Christmas craft book.)




Well, we're back to the Little House on the Prairie look. One of these is called the "Captivating Carpenter's Apron." Hmmm...carpenter as in Karen?




Then of course, we have that plastic see-through what-cha-ma-call-it. An apron? A rain slicker? A sci-fi, mod baby doll negligee (when worn with nothing underneath it)? The versatility is up to you or the wearer; what a lucky person to receive this under the tree!




More gift ideas for the cheapskate to make...belts made of ribbon and a desk caddy made of fabric covered soup and tuna cans. (Be sure to clean the cans before you cover them.)




Now we're finally starting to see some Christmas-oriented crafts. It's a shame that they suck. 




This may be the only project in this book that actually makes sense and that I have heard of people making...saving pretty Christmas cards for future purposes. 




Bonus: an advertisement. For step-by-step crocheted hotpants. Out of all of the crafts in this booklet, I think we've found our winner!


A big thank you again to Go Retro fan Therese for thinking of me! 

3 comments:

  1. Oh, this brings back memories of my Mom's yearly craft extravaganza! We'd make all our family friends a craft to send with a card. It was fun...for the first 100 crafts...

    The plastic apron should be called "2001: A Crafting Season."

    Nice job, Pam! Love the retro.

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  2. In the 70s there was a brief, and thankfully short, blip on the fashion radar of see through plastic clothes. I guess they were considered sexy or something. However the see through plastic apron-thingy really sets the standard!

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  3. I like many many things of he 70's, but the fashion always seemed almosty deliberately "experimental" shall we say.

    There is a website, PlaidStallions, on the 790's, that often features 70's fashions:
    http://plaidstallions.com/fashion.html

    http://plaidstallions.blogspot.ca/search/label/fashion%20mockery

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