Will you be giving hand-crafted gifts for the holidays?
By DIY Maven
In our local paper this weekend, there was an article entitled "GIFT TRIMMING: No money for gifts? No Problem. Here are some ways to fulfill your holiday gift list without resorting to stealing or crafting" complete with a picture of a cute, little, hand-knitted cell phone cozy. My first and only thought was resorting to crafting? I immediately copped an attitude and turned the page. I didn't even want to read the author's penny pinching gift ideas. Why the 'tude? Because I'm one of those people! You know, a crafter who gives hand-made gifts. But resorting to crafting? Is that what my givees will think of the things I made for them? This year crocheted snowflakes for my friend Kay, a sweater for my mom, and a funky Santa hat in Minnesota Vikings colors for my dad-in-law. Will they like them? Kay will; Mom will if the sweater fits, and Dad, well, he may or may not ever wear the hat in public, but that's okay. I'm just hoping it'll make him laugh.
So...what about you? What presents did you hand-craft this year? Have you ever gotten any handmade things that you loved? Didn't love? Do tell!
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Self-proclaimed Maven of DIY, I'm up for anything from gonzo rehab to dressing a room. Check...
DIY Maven
D--it was for my father-in-law, and I'm guessing the only time he's worn it was for that 30 seconds after he opened it and plopped it on his head. He's the kind of guy that feels anything new is too good to wear. Although, in this case, it might have been too purple to wear! It IS a great hat, though, isn't it?!
dewonangus
DIY Maven, is your Dad wearing his Christmas gift??? I was just browsing through some old posts ...
I hope so, it's a great hat!
DIY Maven
Jekyph--the dress-up trunk is a fabulous idea! And yes, it did take a lot of thought and effort.
Congrats on the new sewing maching!!!
Jekyph
not exactly handmade, but DID take a lot of thought and effort:
i made my 4-yr-old niece a dress-up trunk, with items i found at thrift stores and yard sales and craft stores. fairy skirts and wings, cheerleader outfit with pompoms, a pirate outfit (because there's some kids cartoon now where a duck dresses like a pirate...) and some junk jewelry and accessories, all in a nice box with lid. i started collecting stuff after halloween and found most of it for under 50 cents.
they sell sets at walmart, etc, but the material is cheap and itchy and didn't seem like it would withstand a 4-yr-old.
everyone else gets baked goodies, fishing licenses for the next year, or burned cds of music they'd never find themselves, wrapped in paper cd envelopes.
and my husband got me my first sewing machine for christmas, so next year i can REALLY diy. it's all about using the skills you have to make people happy... not just taking the easy way out and buying lots of junk.
DIY Maven
Thank you Elise! That's lovely.
asilnnigcm
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Thanks for saying that DIY it means so much to me! I've included a free poem from Executivehomemaker.com
DIY Maven
That's a cute idea, Elise! You should post pics!
asilnnigcm
Framed (recycled frames freshly painted ) paper snowflakes with an appropriate message or poem. Background varies with fabrics I have on hand.
Elise
DIY Maven
Love the idea of a zero $ Christmas challenge!
Thanks Lil'! I love it when gifts get a reaction like that. It's the best.
lilybee
Fab hat by the way!
lilybee
'...which is probably hand made somewhere by children making 50 cents an hour...' Well put Maven, you're absolutely right.
I'm really not one for religion and the only way I can justify celebrating Christmas is by having it be about family and friends. For me the gift giving part should say to those folks, 'here, have a present because I love you' and making something seems like the best way to say that. Even if I'm giving somebody something like a gift card or a book I'll make something little (and possibly silly) to go with it.I just wish I had a bigger skill set.
Last year I 'made' my friend Bill a pair of mittens, I appliqued and embroidered hand grenades onto a pair of store bought flip-top glove/mitts. First he laughed then he got all lump in the throat-y and told me that nobody had ever made him a present before. Which made me feel brill, so you know, win-win.
ebishirl
I've actually launched a Zero Dollar Christmas challenge at the Websites I write for (EcoLocalizer, Zero Dollar Christmas), and aim to make as many of my Christmas gifts as possible. It's not only the right thing to do for the environment, but it makes sense in today's economy as well. (Plus, it's a great teaching experience for my 5-year-old son!)
DIY Maven
THAT is a very good point. I too have tried to 'select' the right recipients. It's funny how some people prefer store-bought, which is probably hand made somewhere by children making 50 cents an hour, rather than something hand made by a loved one using materials produced in the U.S. Even if they don't appreciate the gift, they can still appreciate the thought, effort, skill, time and all the rest that goes into it.
dewonangus
... and here I have been disappointed with myself this year for not making any of the gifts (too busy renovating), but looking forward to 2009. I love to receive gifts that someone has made for me. So much more thought and effort!!! Many years ago my sister made me some beautiful beaded bell ornaments for the tree which get treated like gold. Even though I love to make gifts also, I have been selective over the years as to who I make them for as some recipients weren't very appreciative.
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