Homemade gift giving tradition
It’s that time of year again where the trees are being decorated, Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals are going on. People are frantically figuring out what to buy for their family and friends for the holidays.
For as far back as I can remember buying all my gifts was not on my radar. What my norm was, was getting out the crafts and art supplies and making my gifts. I have vivid memories of being in Iceland coloring the cutest ceramic ornaments with special markers. I took special care to make sure I colored in the lines and that it was as neat as I could get it. I mean this ornament was for Grandma, and I just loved Grandma so much I wanted her to know how much I loved her by making her a special gift.
Some of my fondest memories are making gifts as a kid and a young teenager. Sometimes we made bigger gifts as a family that took team work to complete. Could we have afforded to go to the store and buy the gifts? Yes we could, but to us handmade was special. Taking the time to think about what the recipient would like and then spending hours making them something became our tradition that made everyone involved happy.
When I grew up and had a family of my own I still carried on the tradition of making gifts. I looked forward every year to make ornaments for family members and close friends. When the kids were small it became a project I did with them and it made for the best of memories. I loved seeing how excited they would get to make the ornaments and then how excited they were to give them to their family.
I also decided that yes we would buy our kids some presents usually 3 a piece (something they wanted, something they needed, and something to read). Then I would make them a gift or 2. See, as a lifelong artist and creative I loved pouring my heart and soul into a special gift for my kids. I would really think about what their current interests were and make something that might go along with that. I remember one year when zoo zoo pets were a big thing, I made all the zoo zoo pets their own blanket. Some years I’ve made silly character hats, doll clothes, stuffed animals, knitted snakes, blankets etc. My kids always seemed happy to receive the homemade gifts and they have kept many of them over the years.
I also really prefer making gifts for all my loved ones. Over the years there have been a couple occasions where the recipients you could tell were not homemade gift people. This would hurt sometimes but I tried to not to let it keep me from being me and would continue to make gifts. If someone really didn’t care for homemade I’d have my husband figure out a store bought gift and tried not to worry about it.
What do you prefer? Do you enjoy making homemade gifts too? Do you love receiving homemade gifts? Or is homemade just not your thing? No judgement here either way. One of my favorite things I love to do every Christmas season is looking at all the homemade ornaments that are on my tree. It’s like walking down memory lane. I’ve got ornaments made by my grandmas, great grandmas, my mom, my kids, and friends. I love to hang each one up and when I see them I remember the person and think of them fondly. The ones I made with the kids I fondly remember all the giggles and laughter we would have together as we created. Making gifts will always be my tradition for as long as I am able to create. Below are some of the ornaments either me, my kids, or family members have made over the years. What’s your favorite gift giving tradition?
