This Holiday Season, Buy Handmade!
By beccajo
Why pledge to buy handmade this season?
Although I try to make as many gifts myself as possible, sometimes you run out of time, steam, or ideas. What I don't make myself this year, I'm going to aim to buy them directly from another artist/maker and not from a giant, big-box store. Ok, maybe one or two things. And obviously, my supplies have to come from somewhere...but.......
My brother brought home his girlfriend (now wife) for Christmas in 2003. My brother, parents, and I all gave her pretty much the exact same gift-a basket full of lotion, body spray, and soap. As she opened each one, I thought to myself, "Great..... What is she going to think about all these generic gifts?" After opening my Grandma's gift (just lotion, but a really NICE lotion), she asked us, "What, do I smell that badly?"
It was a humorous way to learn an important lesson.
If you're going to give a gift, why not make it as special as you can?
Giving a handmade gift is like giving two gifts in one. Yes, the recipient benefits, but the artist who created the work gets the validation and pride that comes with selling something they created. Even if they're not there when the package is unwrapped, the artist is still present in that moment.
It means a lot that the maker's efforts are going to someone who is going to appreciate their work. It means the giver has gone to special effort of their own to find a one-of-a-kind item for a one-of-a-kind person. It means the recipient is getting something unique in the world. And obviously, it also means the artist is able to pay bills, buy more supplies, and keep bringing new creations to the marketplace.
Buying handmade, directly from the artist or from small, independant retailers, means that fewer resources are spent in transportaion, storage, and packaging. It also keeps down the possibility of sweatshop labor being a part of the production of the gift, as the artist can usually tell you where their materials have come from. Try asking a big-box retailer the same question, and you probably won't get an answer.
It takes a little more effort to make things yourself, or buy handmade, but it's part of the fun. Great options abound-local indie retailers, arts and crafts shows, websites like etsy.com plus you don't have to fight the insane crowds on 'black friday'!
If you're ready to take the pledge to buy handmade this holiday season, visit buyhandmade.org.
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beccajo's blog (138 posts)
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I'm obsessed with making the world a prettier place. I make my living as a production...
Gracie
My husband and I have told all of our children and family that we will only be giving handmade gifts, or gifts of our time for presents this Christmas as well as through the next year. In return, we are asking for the same, only a gift that has been made, or the gift of their time to us. And honestly we are hoping for the gift of their time, that will be the most precious gift of all, something that is priceless to us!
The world will be a much better place if we all could get back to the basics.
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