The topic of two separate conversations I had this week - real, true chat, not fictional debate on which to base a blog post - was "giving and receiving". During the first, my friend and I agreed that we love to give, a simple act that gives us joy. We discussed no details of why or how that joy was evident, just an affirmation that we are both on the same wavelength and prefer to give than to receive.
With another friend, the conversation was much deeper, more searching and more thought provoking. Also, very much longer! The conclusion was the same though - we both take more pleasure in giving to, and helping others, than we do in being recipients.
Christmas is a time when many of us celebrate by the giving and receiving of gifts. For those who don't celebrate this particular festival, there is usually something in their calendar that constitutes similar traditions.
Here are some questions for you - I don't need you to answer them, but perhaps think about them and be truthful to yourself with your private replies.
Is a small, handmade gift as acceptable as a very expensive present that your loved one could never have afforded to buy for themselves? Be honest...
Should we avoid making someone a gift because "they wouldn't appreciate the amount of work I put into it?" Think about it before deciding...
If I could make it myself, would I want a handmade gift from someone else? It's a no brainer in my opinion...
My truthful replies, respectively:
Yes! More so!
No, never!
Yes, definitely!
In my humble opinion, thought, time and effort put into a gift, is of much more worth than monetary value.
When I look this sentence again, I understand why you may be thinking it a little nauseating. You know exactly what I mean! But, as sentimental as it may sound, that is exactly how I feel. Only yesterday, I watched while someone was delighted and tearful at receiving a handmade advent calendar from their Grandchildren. You know the sort, a window to be opened every day during advent, a little drawing inside, no gift, no chocolate, just daily a reminder that someone (in this case, more than one special person) loves you enough to spend time making it just for you.
I have deliberately included no photos in this blog post. Just one empty space:
This is a space for you to insert whatever comes to mind. Fill it with ideas about the gifts you give this Christmas or indeed at any time of year, to celebrate life. This is a safe space, a few moments to think about what's important - the money you spend or the effort and love you put in.
You are a crafter. I know that because either I've seen your work, or you're reading a blog post on a crafty website, so you have an inside interest. And, because we can all make something, even a hand drawn and crafted advent calendar. You may not think your work worthy of being gifted to others but you are wrong. Your best IS good enough and your worst (we all have bad sewing days) IS still acceptable.
If you're stuck for ideas, or stretched for time, make the simplest gift, and make someone's Christmas. All over the country and in far flung parts of the world, people are finding handmade bears. Okay, so we don't hear about every bear that has been found, but visit and revisit the Facebook group (link below) and see how this random act of kindness has touched someone you've never met.
Your giftee will be equally touched when they find their handmade present under the tree this Christmas.
Happy sewing, happy gifting and Happy Christmas to everyone.
See you in 2025!
Kath x
Kath these are such beautiful words and I agree with all you've said. Love the blank picture for our own thoughts and it just endorsed how I feel about handmade gifts from the heart xxx