Thursday, November 20, 2008

Gifting Regrets

I really love to make my Christmas gifts. It doesn't happen for everyone every year, but if I can think of something I'm in love with (and think the recipient might love too), I'll make it. One problem with this is that I often have gifting regrets after the fact. When you buy a gift and someone doesn't love it, it's not that big of a deal. They can just re-gift it or return it and get what they really want. If you make something they don't like, there's no returning it!

When we got married someone gave us some doilies they had lovingly made. Doilies? I thought. What in the world am I supposed to do with doilies?? You see, I'm about as far from doilies as a person can get. I didn' t know what else to do with them, so I gave them to DI. I feel bad, but I thought it silly to keep them boxed up forever and ever.

A couple years ago I made my sister a Family Home Evening chart. It was a little rough, but I was pretty proud of it. It was before all the vinyl charts were mainstream and easily accessible, so I did the lettering by hand. I felt pretty happy with the end results at the time. Now that I'm more crafty and am better able, I kind of cringe at my rough first attempt. I hope she still likes it...

Past homemade Christmas gifts I've given include: a cookbook compilation that took me months, crocheted scarves, bracelets, Families are Forever boards (I definitely wonder about those...probably in a back closet now. I now realize it doesn't fit everyone's decor.), a blanket I sent to Matt on his mission (he still uses it!), and quilts. I go through crafting phases, so whatever I'm into at the moment is usually what is given.

Despite any regrets I have had, I'm still giving a lot of homemade gifts this year. I can't help but feel like I'm giving a little part of me along with the gift, and I like that thought.

8 comments:

Juls said...

I guess not everyone is bold enough to request their gift :)

Juls said...

PS It only gets worse when you are thinking of things your KIDS can make. It still amazes me that my father in law has a card board heart with dried beans glued on it painted yellow with silver glitter. YEAH. My attempt to have the gifts from the kids. Also one year we made scarfs (in laws in CA...hum...) another year we did tie dye shirts (although that year we only did them for mom and dad :)

Celia Marie (W.) B. said...

Suz requested her FHE chart too J. It was my craftsmanship I was worried about with that one...

Jodi Reeve said...

I think people who can make gifts are amazing and even if I don't like something I am way impressed and don't focus on that point. It is the thought that counts.

Celia Marie (W.) B. said...

Haha. My mom called me today to tell me my sister has her chart in her kitchen and still uses and loves it. Good to hear.

Brooke said...

My mother-in-law would LOVE you! She pretty much only likes home-made things and I'm not so creative. Bummer!

Th. said...

.

If you make food, it'll never get stuck in a closet.

Celia Marie (W.) B. said...

trash can maybe. closet, never.