is the gift given more important than the gift receive

Iwould be thrilled to receive a hand made gift it would be nice to think someone had put body and soul into it on my behalf.I would think it would be nice like I say to get something hand made or to eat,if it is hand made you have a special gift to keep forever.Like you said something you really need,I asked my daughter what she would like me get the grandchildren and she asked for pyjamas they seem to be a popular choice these days,I got my eldest grandaughter some acrylic paints as she studies art,Ihave also got them a few treats to go with their main present.With money so short it is nice to get something you need so it releaves your finances a bit,but I think a gift is a gift and I am happy to receive anything and I am always pleased with what I get.

With the economics the way they are, giving a homemade gift is something that most can afford..I am giving a gift in a jar to my neighbor because they are very nice to us and I want to show them my appreciation..I am not going to go over and ask, "what would you like for Christmas", but I am giving something that is edible, and healthy since the man has to watch what he eats..I would hope they appreciate it, if not, well then maybe I can give them something next year they like..(I already know they like my bread, so they are getting some of that too) As for family and close friends, I feel that the giver should know the receiver enough to know their likes and dislikes..Like I know my daughter wants all these DVD's, but I can't afford all of them..So she is only getting a couple and then some handmade or reused gifts..

I love to give gifts that I know the person really wanted. It is a good feeling when they look astonished and say "how did you know I wanted that?". It is because I listen and they could have said it in conversation months before but I usually remember and make an effort to find that particular gift.

Well although I am the kind of person who believes that its the thought that counts but on the other hand I do think through when buying gifts for anyone because I would like my gift to be useful to the person and not just lay down in some drawer and closet catching dust. I know what you mean that when we get a lot of gifts, few are actually something that we get around to using them and the rest are stored away after a use or so.

I would take it into consideration first if the person I am giving the gift would suit and meet his/her personal taste, if that person I have known for quite sometime, I would have known what he/she prefers to. It is far more better to give someone a present with what would suit him/her best. Personally, if I would be the one to receive any gift for that matter I would truly appreciate it, be it a handicraft or something homemade baked or whatsoever, the thing that matters to me, is the idea of a thought that the person has in me. Merry Christmas suspenseful !

its better to give than to recieved.its just a great feeling

I have actually stopped crocheting and Knitting due to the fact that I know that it wasn't appreciated and wasn't something that people like or enjoy anymore. I like to give gifts that will be used and not tossed in a corner or in the trash as soon as I leave with a what the @%#& was they thinking. So now days unless it is asked for I don't crochet it. Just faster,easier and less time consuming for me to buy it pre-made and so that if they don't like it they can return it for something they like better..Kinda hard to do that with homemade gifts. I love making stuff but takes all the joy out of it for me if instead of a smile you get a funny look and a forced oh thank you.

I like practical gifts, too. But, any gift is good because the person is usually sacrificing something to give it to you be it time making it or money. No one is obligated to give me a gift, so something given to me is always nice. Sure, practical gifts are great, especially if the person giving it to you knows that you need it and will use it, but all gifts are good.

You know, I think some people prefer mass produce products over homemade. I guess it really depends on the individual. I gave a family member one of those hot/cold microwave pack because she had joint pains. I could see she were not thrilled. She has it in a closet. She brought one of the name brand item at the store and used that even though it was not very effective. I now ask them what type of handmade items they would like before I make it. My middle daughter last two years requested scarfs so that's what I crochet. Last year one of my daughter brought knitted slippers and they were a hit so this year I make them two pairs. I always appreciate the gifts I receive because I know they took time to make it.

Well i had rather give something that i know the person wants or really needs,rather than just whatever pops into your mind,or even a homemade gift...My problem is the ones that i give gifts too,mostly has all they need ,so its really hard to choose a gift for them,so i just have to do the best i can & hope they will like what i give them.i always give something that i want myself...

When I was younger I would have rather gotten the C.D. I think it's a matter of maturity more then it is a matter of the gift. If your more mature you realize that the gift was well thought out, not that it was your favorite mind you, but that they made it for you. Appreciating it and liking it are two different things, you can appreciate the time spent on it, but not necessarily the design used. I guess it's just opinions though, true the one making it should make sure you'd like what they're making before they spend their time on it... That may be their fault, but if they didn't, you should still let them know you appreciate it.

If you are giving fudge to someone who loves fudge, then you are not showing off! If you give a scarf to someone and you think about the colors that they like, you are not showing off! But ....... if you give something homemade to someone and you really don't know if they will like or will use it (food, crafts etc), then you are not being very thoughtful. I think making things for someone that they can use is very frugal and actually very thoughtful if you keep the recipient in mind. You took time to think about them and put some actual work into the gift. You can be unthoughtful when you PURCHASE a gift too. Even an expensive one. That would be showing off!

I really don't possess any craft skills and I am not the kind of person who bakes cookies and takes them to a friend's house as a gift. I just don't do gifts. so I am sure that every member of my family and every friend in the world would appreciate a cd over anything that I may have made. Blessings

I always believe in giving people gifts. And especially, if that gift is made by yourself instead of something that could be bought with money. That really shows a lot of sincerity in it. And i'm now, in a dilemma of trying to get a gist for someone.

I think it really depends on the age of the person receiving the gift. Little kids and teens really could care less getting something hand made. But do start appreciating them when they get older. I know I never cared for that stuff when I was a teen. As it reminded me of old people. As a teen I sure wasn't old. But people in their late 20's and 30's were. Lol....Boy did I ever have a wrapped sense as a teenage. I love all that crochet stuff now and wished I paid attention a little bit closer.

OH I love things that are made for me! I dont care what as long as they took the time to make something I love it.

i really dont know i can only speak for myself not for others...but in my opinion i really appreciate a gift that was been made even though if its not what i really like but for me what counts is the thought and sincerity of the gift giver...

Well, as some people say "its better to give than to receive". I think its really the though that counts, i would really appreciate even if i would be given just a simple gift knowing that it was given to be because i was appreciated by someone. I think i really dont mind receiving any kind of gift, the fact that someone remembered me is already enough to make me happy. I think other people would only appreciate gifts which they find useful to them, i guess it just depends on the person receiving the gift.

Good topic mate! If you do love someone you do like receiving gifts from them. But nothing could beat the feeling in your heart when you actually give a gift to them! I say : The gift given is really more important compared to the gift received

In my experience, I do more happier by giving gift to someone instead of receiving gift. I do give a lot of gift to my girlfriend and I felt very happy when I gave, I saw her happy and I'm happy! Opposite, I'm happy to receive gift too but I'm not that excited, this is what I don't understand myself. =.=" Do you have the same situation with me?