I can’t believe I just sat down to write a post about Primitive Christmas starting TOMORROW! Where does the time go? My staff and I have been working so hard to make sure that we hit the ground running for this event that I think I might go into shock and then withdrawal once it’s all over. This annual Primitive Gatherings holiday tradition keeps getting bigger and more popular with every trip around the sun, and I really couldn’t be happier about it. I absolutely love seeing hard work and creativity come to fruition, and this is a perfect example of that! I have some brand new holiday patterns releasing during the event that I’m really proud of, along with a handful of darling make-n’-take projects that are worth a stop out to Primitive Gatherings all on their own! As if all that’s not enough to get you here, this year we’ve added an extra special feature to sweeten the pot – the 2022 Red & White Challenge Quilt Show, which will be officially open to the public (with a $5.00 admission fee) starting tomorrow!

Now I realize that there are probably several of you wondering what the heck I’m even talking about because you’ve never heard of Primitive Christmas before, so let’s talk details! Primitive Christmas is an open-house event we put on every year designed to welcome the holiday season with open arms. Guests are invited to join us here at Primitive Gatherings and The Gathering Thursday November 17th through Sunday November 20th, 2022 for fresh cookies and hot cider, make-n’-take projects (Thursday through Saturday), exclusive FREE newly released holiday patterns (with a minimum purchase of $40.00 – sorry, offer does not include pre-ordered items), and more! Yes, you read that right. Primitive Christmas is your chance to get four of my most recent holiday pattern releases FREE (including one kit!) along with our annual calendar of events just by doing something you were most likely going to do anyway – spending $40.00 at Primitive Gatherings (purchase must total $40.00 before tax and shipping – offer available both online or in-store)! Have I piqued your interest yet? Check these out!

Aren’t they adorable? And none of these projects are excessively difficult. With a little determination you could easily get at least one or two done by the time the 25th of December rolls around – just in time to hand them out as gifts to a lucky family member or friend.

Did somebody say make-n’-takes? Why, I believe that was ME! I said make-n’-takes! In addition to the holiday must-haves you’ll be getting with your minimum $40.00 purchase, we also have four quick, easy, and ADORable make-‘n’-take projects available to make Thursday November 17th through Saturday November 19th, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. CST (all make-n’-takes will be at The Gathering). Projects available will include a 2022 cross stitch ornament, painted Santa rocks, a fleece wine bottle hat and scarf set, and our brand new fresh-cut wool and homespun Christmas tree pillows (the make-n’-take project is the small size tree = appx 8″).

Are you at cuteness overload yet? Because I have more cuteness than you can probably handle in store for you coming to Primitive Gatherings this Friday, November 18th, 2022. Each Primitive Christmas we choose a charity to benefit from your generosity combined with a portion of the profits generated by this great event. This year I’m absolutely thrilled to announce that our charity of choice is Our Pack Animal Rescue – a WI based, non-profit organization looking to improve the lives of animals, share education, and give back to the community. Though they are located in New London, WI they service pets and shelters in need all over the Fox Valley in WI. Their mission is simple: Rescue. Rehab. Re-home. Repeat. Now that’s something I think we can all get on board with! I am really excited to say that this Friday from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Our Pack Animal Rescue will be at Primitive Gatherings with some VERY cute and adoptable special guests! Come see what we have to offer, have a cookie, see a stellar quilt show, and maybe even go home with a new best friend. You never know!

If you’d like to help homeless pets in need this holiday season, it’s easier than ever during Primitive Christmas! In fact, if you make a donation to Our Pack Animal Rescue during the event (either from their wish list or a monetary donation of at least $10.00) we will automatically give you $10.00 OFF your Primitive Gatherings purchase that day – both online and in-store (please note: in order to receive the FREE Primitive Christmas Event patterns and kit, your purchase must total $40.00 or more BEFORE your donation of $10.00 to the shelter)!

As I mentioned above I’m excited to have our Red & White Challenge Quilt Show going on simultaneously with Primitive Christmas this year, so even if you’re not in the mood to shop (is there such a thing?) you’ll still have plenty to look at. Not to mention, part of each $5.00 entry fee collected will go to Our Pack Animal Rescue. This is one of those “win-win” situations I love so much – and so easy too! My dream was to have the retreat house filled with red and white quilts just in time for the holidays. In my mind I imagined a beautiful sea of red and white quilts hanging all together on display in The Gathering for the Christmas season. I wanted it to be something like when the American Folk Art Museum in New York installed 650 red and white American quilts into the historic Wade Thompson Drill Hall back in 2011. Picture that! 650 red and white quilts, all hanging in one 55,000 square foot room… Crazy! What’s even crazier is that all 650 of them were on loan from the collection of one single person by the name of Joanna S. Rose. It was the largest exhibition of quilts ever held in New York City. If you’re not familiar with this exhibit, check out these spectacular photos from the event (photo credit: American Folk Art Museum – Gavin Ashworth)!Wow, right!?! Even though it’s not quite as large as the Wade Thompson Drill Hall, The Gathering is a fabulous place to show off your work. Our 10,000 square foot retreat house features endless wall space, a super tall ceiling, and excellent lighting. I literally designed the entire space to hang and display quilts – no matter the size. We just finished hanging the last of 150 quilt entries today, and man… It is truly the definition of spectacular! Quilts range in size from mini to huge. Ribbons will be given out for Best of Show, Best of Show – Mini, Best Workmanship, and Viewer’s Choice. Let me tell you, judging all these magnificent works of art isn’t going to be an easy task. It’s pretty obvious I have a lot of talented quilters in my corner, that’s for sure! I wish I could show you all some photos but that just wouldn’t be fair to everyone who plans to attend in person. We will announce ribbon winners after the contest is finished. I do plan to let you get a peek after the first of the year once the show is over and everything has come down, so hang tight. If you can’t see it in person, I promise I won’t keep you in the dark forever! 

Alright gang, back at it for me. It’s been dark outside for over an hour already tonight, but I won’t be going home anytime soon. Primitive Christmas starts promptly at 12:01 a.m. tomorrow (that’s midnight tonight!) and the clock is ticking – loudly, too! We don’t have a lot of time left to make sure our ducks are in a row, so I really better get to it. Want a sneak peek into what’s happening around here? Remember to watch me tomorrow on my STITCH with Lisa Bongean YouTube channel at 1:00 p.m. CST where I’ll be coming to you LIVE on location during the event – you know, jus to say hi. LOL! Hit the STITCH button below to watch! Ready or not, here comes Primitive Christmas… I’m excited. Are you? Take care everyone, and I’ll see you there! ~Lisa