More About Christmas Presents
Someone posted a comment on my “Christmas Presents” entry, asking what gifts I buy for other people. I would love to tell you here, but all those people read my blog! But I can give you an idea of the kinds of gifts we give.
I usually give a mix of handmade and store bought gifts. Throughout the year, I keep an eye out for craft projects that I think would make good gifts. Usually I’m making something for myself and I realize that someone on my gift list might like one, too. I try to get started on a handmade gift as soon as possible so that I can finish it in plenty of time. In years past, I have been frantically waiting for projects to dry so I could package them up and send them off. Now I make a point of having all handmade gifts completed by September. The kinds of gifts I’ve made run the gamut. They usually reflect my favorite crafts of the moment. Some of my favorite handmade gifts I have given were a small wall hanging size quilt, a folk-art painted fireplace screen that looks like a row of shops and a stack of handmade cards.
Hand crafted gifts tend to be very time consuming and I want the process to be relaxing and peaceful, not hectic and pressured. So I don’t make all of my Christmas gifts. But I don’t deliberately choose who gets a homemade gift. I just wait for a project to speak to me. Sometimes a purchased item really calls to me instead. The present I bought for my grandma and grandpa this year is one of them. As soon as I saw it, I thought of them. Without giving too much away, it reminded me of Christmastime in their home when I was a little girl. One of their great-grandsons spends a lot of time with them and I thought he might enjoy seeing it, too. I knew right away that it was what I wanted for them.
I used to stress out over buying Christmas presents. I felt a certain pressure – from where, I’m not sure- to out-do the previous year’s present. What I’ve come to realize is that it truly is the thought that counts. “I thought of you when I saw this,” is all I’m trying to convey. Was last year’s present better? Maybe. I hope you’re not keeping track.
So that’s it. I try to keep things low stress and enjoyable. I keep an eye out for potential gifts all year and buy them or make them as soon as I can. I have a gift box in my closet to hide everything in and I keep an inventory in my household organizer.
