Giving Handmade Gifts

I love giving and shopping for handmade gifts.  Sure, you can find me online filling an Amazon cart with great books, board games and the latest Xbox releases for anyone on my list, but it’s the handcrafted items that I get excited about.

Does the thought of giving handmade gifts conjure images of your five-year-old self, proudly presenting a glue-dripping, glittery concoction to a loved one? Remember how happy you felt with what you created using your own hands? Let’s think about how satisfying it could be to do that now as an adult, using less glue.

I believe that each of us is creative in our own way.  Using your creativeness could result in a unique and awesome gift for someone.  Not convinced? Haven’t found your niche? Let the web give you some inspiration. Check out Instructables where you can get step-by-step guidance on practically anything, from making Cherry Liqueur Chocolates for the party host to knitting a hat for your sister.  Or visit this site and learn how to make Coconut Cream Soap for your stylist.  You can learn a new skill and surprise them with a thoughtful gift.

If you feel crunched for time / don’t have the right tools / need a gift where the recipient is difficult to shop for, have some other crafty person do the work for you.  Check out the merchandise at local art fairs or coffee shops.  Craft fairs abound during November and December.  If you have a week or two that you can spare on shipping, browse Etsy. It is a storefront for a global community of sellers with thousands of handcrafted and vintage items.  I got this awesome shirt for a teenage boy last year from Etsy and even he loved it.

So while you are scurrying this holiday season to buy the latest and greatest gadget for each person on your shopping list, also think about giving them something personal.  Something special that was made with time and love.