Did you make any of your Christmas gifts this year?
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
Canada
December 27, 2010 11:12am CST
It's been a long time since I gave a handmade gift, I have to admit. But this year, I made a gift out of necessity and I was thrilled that it was well received! My niece is going on a trip with her school at the end of the year. They are going to New York City. She is very excited and her parents have told her that, while they are paying for her trip, she has to save up her own spending money. So, my sister suggested I buy her a piggy bank for Christmas and put some US money in it (we're Canadian). I wanted to get her a New York themed bank but found none around at all where I live. So, I bought a plain white ceramic pig which is a good size and very cute. Using Sharpies, I drew "I (heart) NY" logos all over the body, in colors that match her bedroom. The logos are different sizes, all the lettering is in a deep purple and all the hearts are varying colors. She was SO excited about it. She said she never had a bank that was an actual pig and that she has been asking my sister to get her one. So the gift was a huge success and I couldn't be happier! Did you make any of your gifts this year and how were they received?
1 person likes this
7 responses
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
30 Dec 10
I did make a bunch of the smaller gifts I gave...these little containers for Bath and Body hand sanitizers...cute little gift packs actually....I love doing handmade gifts....and most people really do appreciate that you took the time to do it for them!
2 people like this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
2 Jan 11
That sounds really lovely! I agree with you that handmade gifts are appreciated. People seem to have gotten into this mindset that, unless you buy an expensive gift at the store, the recipient isn't going to like it or be happy about it. I don't think that's true. For some reason, people lack confidence to give something they've made. Even people that aren't crafty at all can make gifts... you made me think of gift baskets. The stores are FULL of all kinds of pre-made baskets at the holidays. If you look at the price and what you actually get in the contents, it's a lot better to make your own. I always keep tissue, basket wrap and curly ribbon around for that. There are so many options too... food, coffee, tea, chocolate, DVDs and "movie snacks", toiletries, cosmetics, even hardware/small tools... it's not hard to do something nice and it can be really personalized for the person who will use it.
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
4 Jan 11
You're right! I love getting them as much as giving them... it's fun to unwrap them and dig in to see exactly what's in there LOL
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
2 Jan 11
Wow that's great! I've never made magnets but that sounds like a fun idea... will have to look into how those are done. I haven't had much time for crafting lately so new ideas will be inspirational! When you mention making a blanket, it reminds me of a funny story... one year, for Christmas, I received a rather big box from an in-law. When I opened it, there was one strip of a crocheted afghan. Evidently, she hadn't finished making it (she was the family procrastinator, through and through). So she wrapped up the piece she had made to show me what it was going to look like - and then took the strip back home with her to continue crocheting. Never did get that afghan, either LOL
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
1 Jan 11
I made puppets for some of the kids I know. One of them really liked hers, and the rest of them I haven't heard about. But the one little girl asked if I could make her another one for her birthday.
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
3 Feb 11
How nice! You must be really good at those, for her to ask for another. How do you make your puppets? What style are they?
@danishcanadian (28955)
• Canada
1 Jan 11
Not this year, but last year I designed some really nice personal stationery on my computer. Unfortunately this year the printer isn't working, so I was unable to do the same. I ended up ordering all of my gifts on line.
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
4 Jan 11
Personalized stationery is a really thoughtful gift! I love that idea. Was it designed to be used for printer, for handwriting or good for both? I ordered most of my other gifts online this year too... I LOVE online shopping because I can't stand the crowds at holiday time. I really only made 2 or 3 trips out to the stores this year and that suited me JUST fine :)
@carolscash (9492)
• United States
30 Dec 10
I did make some cookies and candy for gifts and I made a gift jar for a friend. I plan to do a lot more of these next year and I plan to make two scrapbooks for my girls. I think that they will enjoy them.
I love the idea that you mentioned here. I am glad that she liked it that well. She will use it and that always makes for a better gift.
2 people like this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
2 Jan 11
I think you've pointed out a trend, carolscash... I do believe that, more and more, people will begin going back to handmade/homemade gifts. Sometimes, it's a question of finances. The holidays are expensive, no matter which way you handle them. I think food gifts are always well-received - people love to eat LOL I've made peanut brittle, chocolate truffles and various baked goods as gifts. One year, all of my daughters' teachers got tins of truffles and they seemed to love those. Scrapbooks are a lovely idea... something your girls will be able to keep and enjoy. My niece did say that the piggy bank is good for saving for her trip but it will also be a souvenir after the trip is over. I'm glad I did it :)
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
28 Dec 10
I did have a really lovely Christmas, thank you oldchem1 :)) I hope you did too? I think it's wonderful that you made doll's clothes for your granddaughter... what a beautiful thing for her to have! What type of fridge magnets and coasters did you make?
1 person likes this
