Comments on: the giving of gifts and the receiving of stress? http://whipup.net/2006/12/12/the-giving-of-gifts-and-the-receiving-of-stress/ handcraft in a hectic world Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:20:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Donnahttp://whipup.net/2006/12/12/the-giving-of-gifts-and-the-receiving-of-stress/#comment-27150 Donna Fri, 15 Dec 2006 19:30:45 +0000 http://whipup.net/2006/12/12/the-giving-of-gifts-and-the-receiving-of-stress/#comment-27150 I just found this blog today and this post, as others have said, comes just in time. I wish I could make all my gifts but with working full-time and part-time its just not possible. So, each year I buy some and make some or do some for other holidays. As far as I can tell most of the recipients seem to love what I make. I also think most people are more responsive to handcrafted gifts except for certain label conscious people which luckily aren't in my group of relatives and friends. My husband loves for me to make gifts for his family as well as make food gifts with me to give to friends. Also, since my mom died I have this sense of responsibility to carry on the tradition of making gifts. It just seems more like Christmas when you make things for your home and for those you love. It is the thought that counts and how great you feel when you make something out of love. I just found this blog today and this post, as others have said, comes just in time. I wish I could make all my gifts but with working full-time and part-time its just not possible. So, each year I buy some and make some or do some for other holidays. As far as I can tell most of the recipients seem to love what I make. I also think most people are more responsive to handcrafted gifts except for certain label conscious people which luckily aren’t in my group of relatives and friends. My husband loves for me to make gifts for his family as well as make food gifts with me to give to friends. Also, since my mom died I have this sense of responsibility to carry on the tradition of making gifts. It just seems more like Christmas when you make things for your home and for those you love. It is the thought that counts and how great you feel when you make something out of love.

]]> By: Alishahttp://whipup.net/2006/12/12/the-giving-of-gifts-and-the-receiving-of-stress/#comment-27048 Alisha Fri, 15 Dec 2006 06:51:10 +0000 http://whipup.net/2006/12/12/the-giving-of-gifts-and-the-receiving-of-stress/#comment-27048 After reading this post and the previous 29 comments, I have come to the conclusion that I've always worried that the things I make aren't "special" enough to the people who know me, and thus are most likely to receive handmade gifts. For example, before my husband and I were married, but only 6 days after we moved into our first house, I painted a 3x5 canvas for his birthday, with him and our new love in mind. I nearly made myself sick with worry regarding how he would react. To my skittish mind, I though he might think, 'she could do this anytime, why bother to make a gift of it.' I suppose I hold that fear each time I make something, whether for gifts or for sale -- I do not have the resources of a multinational company, so what makes me think that I could pass my things on to others? I'm getting over that feeling, but it sticks much more than I would like. After reading this post and the previous 29 comments, I have come to the conclusion that I’ve always worried that the things I make aren’t “special” enough to the people who know me, and thus are most likely to receive handmade gifts. For example, before my husband and I were married, but only 6 days after we moved into our first house, I painted a 3×5 canvas for his birthday, with him and our new love in mind. I nearly made myself sick with worry regarding how he would react. To my skittish mind, I though he might think, ‘she could do this anytime, why bother to make a gift of it.’ I suppose I hold that fear each time I make something, whether for gifts or for sale — I do not have the resources of a multinational company, so what makes me think that I could pass my things on to others? I’m getting over that feeling, but it sticks much more than I would like.

]]> By: nicolehttp://whipup.net/2006/12/12/the-giving-of-gifts-and-the-receiving-of-stress/#comment-26998 nicole Fri, 15 Dec 2006 01:41:42 +0000 http://whipup.net/2006/12/12/the-giving-of-gifts-and-the-receiving-of-stress/#comment-26998 art and fear is one of my most treasured reads! and you picked a perfect quote from it. i hope your holiday stresses turn into holiday happiness! art and fear is one of my most treasured reads! and you picked a perfect quote from it. i hope your holiday stresses turn into holiday happiness!

]]> By: Shellyhttp://whipup.net/2006/12/12/the-giving-of-gifts-and-the-receiving-of-stress/#comment-26955 Shelly Thu, 14 Dec 2006 22:39:28 +0000 http://whipup.net/2006/12/12/the-giving-of-gifts-and-the-receiving-of-stress/#comment-26955 This is the first Holiday season where I am knitting all my gifts and this very fear runs through me every time I finish up an item. Thank you for this post. It's very much needed encouragement at this time. This is the first Holiday season where I am knitting all my gifts and this very fear runs through me every time I finish up an item. Thank you for this post. It’s very much needed encouragement at this time.

]]> By: Chellehttp://whipup.net/2006/12/12/the-giving-of-gifts-and-the-receiving-of-stress/#comment-26948 Chelle Thu, 14 Dec 2006 21:54:56 +0000 http://whipup.net/2006/12/12/the-giving-of-gifts-and-the-receiving-of-stress/#comment-26948 I do agree about the relatives not appreciating handmade things.....I guess that would be good consideration for getting them a gift card or something. I might even do what Rachel does.....make some cocoa mixes..something easy and quick and hopefully with few complaints....and I agree with Jennifer..i would be in heaven if everyone got me handmade gifts..I cant wait till my little one can go to school and make me things...:) I do agree about the relatives not appreciating handmade things…..I guess that would be good consideration for getting them a gift card or something. I might even do what Rachel does…..make some cocoa mixes..something easy and quick and hopefully with few complaints….and I agree with Jennifer..i would be in heaven if everyone got me handmade gifts..I cant wait till my little one can go to school and make me things…:)

]]> By: Elizabethhttp://whipup.net/2006/12/12/the-giving-of-gifts-and-the-receiving-of-stress/#comment-26880 Elizabeth Thu, 14 Dec 2006 16:02:59 +0000 http://whipup.net/2006/12/12/the-giving-of-gifts-and-the-receiving-of-stress/#comment-26880 I do agree with what Kay says, though. My time is precious, so I only give homemade gifts to people I know care about that kind of thing...everyone else just gets storebought stuff. I do agree with what Kay says, though. My time is precious, so I only give homemade gifts to people I know care about that kind of thing…everyone else just gets storebought stuff.

]]> By: Loriehttp://whipup.net/2006/12/12/the-giving-of-gifts-and-the-receiving-of-stress/#comment-26842 Lorie Thu, 14 Dec 2006 12:19:44 +0000 http://whipup.net/2006/12/12/the-giving-of-gifts-and-the-receiving-of-stress/#comment-26842 I've thought about this post for a long time. It's brought me out of lurk-dom! I too, make gifts, and it is interesting that there are those who "get-it" and those who don't. Usually a creative-minded (though not always a crafter!) person. I agree with those above, I usually make for those who will appreciate, though not always. I try for spirit and soul in my creations, even if it's a smaller, easier item that's made. I guess it's an easy way out, but it is dissapointment to put your hand/mind/spirit into something that is dismissed. It would be a great honor to receive anything handmade, either from someone I know or not..excellent post, thanks. I’ve thought about this post for a long time. It’s brought me out of lurk-dom! I too, make gifts, and it is interesting that there are those who “get-it” and those who don’t. Usually a creative-minded (though not always a crafter!) person. I agree with those above, I usually make for those who will appreciate, though not always. I try for spirit and soul in my creations, even if it’s a smaller, easier item that’s made. I guess it’s an easy way out, but it is dissapointment to put your hand/mind/spirit into something that is dismissed. It would be a great honor to receive anything handmade, either from someone I know or not..excellent post, thanks.

]]> By: Kayhttp://whipup.net/2006/12/12/the-giving-of-gifts-and-the-receiving-of-stress/#comment-26755 Kay Thu, 14 Dec 2006 02:36:27 +0000 http://whipup.net/2006/12/12/the-giving-of-gifts-and-the-receiving-of-stress/#comment-26755 Thank you for the quotation--truly food for thought. As for handmade gifts, I've been there, done that. Now I make things for people only if I want to do the work for my own satisfaction or need to create. Selfish I know. But I'm not young, and I feel like I have more money than time. Time for creativity is precious to me, and I won't use it on people who won't appreciate it. This is not to belittle your work at all; it's just that we're probably at a different point in life. Thank you for the quotation–truly food for thought. As for handmade gifts, I’ve been there, done that. Now I make things for people only if I want to do the work for my own satisfaction or need to create. Selfish I know. But I’m not young, and I feel like I have more money than time. Time for creativity is precious to me, and I won’t use it on people who won’t appreciate it. This is not to belittle your work at all; it’s just that we’re probably at a different point in life.

]]> By: Rachelhttp://whipup.net/2006/12/12/the-giving-of-gifts-and-the-receiving-of-stress/#comment-26677 Rachel Wed, 13 Dec 2006 19:03:44 +0000 http://whipup.net/2006/12/12/the-giving-of-gifts-and-the-receiving-of-stress/#comment-26677 in past years I have knitted gifts for in-laws which I now look back on as a complete waste. didn't matter what it was or made of. This year my family & his are getting homemade apple butter, spiced grape jelly & peppermint hot cocoa mix. The cost is only slightly less then purchased gifts but I am looking at these as consumable as a good way. I decided not to do any cookies or candy this year due to comments in past years about 'was I trying to make them gain weight' when I gave cookies at the holidays. in past years I have knitted gifts for in-laws which I now look back on as a complete waste. didn’t matter what it was or made of.
This year my family & his are getting homemade apple butter, spiced grape jelly & peppermint hot cocoa mix. The cost is only slightly less then purchased gifts but I am looking at these as consumable as a good way. I decided not to do any cookies or candy this year due to comments in past years about ‘was I trying to make them gain weight’ when I gave cookies at the holidays.

]]> By: Jenniferhttp://whipup.net/2006/12/12/the-giving-of-gifts-and-the-receiving-of-stress/#comment-26474 Jennifer Tue, 12 Dec 2006 23:29:19 +0000 http://whipup.net/2006/12/12/the-giving-of-gifts-and-the-receiving-of-stress/#comment-26474 Yes, please, keep making those handmade gifts! It's a wonderful thing, IMHO. I'm a crafty person and often make my gifts. I know not everyone appreciates them, even if they would retail for a lot of money. (And I normally can't spend a lot on everyone's gifts!) I try to customize what I make and make it special for every person.And you know what? I would LOVE it if I got handmade things! Yes, please, keep making those handmade gifts! It’s a wonderful thing, IMHO. I’m a crafty person and often make my gifts. I know not everyone appreciates them, even if they would retail for a lot of money. (And I normally can’t spend a lot on everyone’s gifts!) I try to customize what I make and make it special for every person.

And you know what? I would LOVE it if I got handmade things!

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