During my entire life, my family has celebrated a special Christmas tradition of handmade gift-giving. Even as a small child, I took part. Each of us proudly created one special gift for each family member. This didn’t mean that all our gifts were handmade—just one, but it had to be thoughtful and meaningful. If anyone struggled with crafting, the gift would be purchased from a local artisan or commissioned through family or friends. The process involved genuine care, ensuring that each gift would hold significance for its recipient. My sister is especially talented in the needle arts. The hand-crocheted ornaments above are gifts from her over the years.
Creative Expression Through Art
As a lifelong artist, this tradition was perfect for me. I honed my skills and experimented with new materials and techniques. Over the years, I learned to work in almost every medium imaginable. Every year was something different. One time I made hand-painted note cards. Another time I created a bronze sculpture. Other years I made hand-tooled leather wallets, or ceramic plates painted with Christmas designs. One especially memorable gift was a cross-stitched pillow I made for my grandmother. She loved her flower garden, so I filled the pillow with embroidered garden blooms.
The Heartfelt Gift Above All
Our handmade gifts quickly became the most anticipated presents under the tree, cherished above all others. I established a rhythm of beginning each project the first of November. This gave me a full year to complete gifts for the following year. Once completed in November, I would immediately start for the next year’s holidays, setting off a continuous cycle.
Memorable Gifts and Family Reactions
One of my most memorable years was when I painted an oil portrait for each family member. For my sister and brother-in-law, I created a portrait of them as babies, though they met in college. It was a playful painting that symbolized the idea of two soulmates destined to meet, and it was warmly received.
Trying to Continue the Tradition with New Family
When I married, I attempted to introduce the tradition to my new in-laws. I made hand-quilted Christmas stockings, hoping they would appreciate the handmade touch. However, when my mother-in-law opened the gift, (whispering to my husband, within earshot), asking if we were in financial trouble! In my family, handmade gifts were treasured, so I was stunned by her reaction.
A Holiday Mix-Up
That year, we gave my parents a boxed set of meats and cheeses from Hickory Farms. This was a gift my husband’s family always enjoyed. But my own parents were deeply disappointed, expecting another carefully crafted gift. Both my mother and my father were too speechless to respond. Our first Christmas together as husband and wife was memorable but not exactly in the way we hoped.
A New Tradition Begins
Years later, my in-law’s large family decided to add a handmade element to Christmas. By now, they had come to love and appreciate the handmade gifts. It even became a friendly competition, with each family member vying to create the best handmade item. My father-in-law, who had never painted before, made a beautiful birdhouse. I was disqualified from the competition because of my professional status, but I enjoyed watching everyone else embrace the challenge.
Handmade Gifts with a Personal Touch
I no longer make a handmade gift for EVERYONE on my list. Life is too busy, but I still try to find unique, artisan gifts for each person. I have friends who are artists, and I love browsing art festivals and galleries for meaningful finds. Last year, I commissioned my friend, Emily Joyce, a talented enamel jewelry artist, to create custom earrings for my daughters-in-law. Involving my sons in the design process made the gifts even more special, and both young women were overjoyed.
For Danna, the earrings featured her favorite color, green. It included an inscription: “Bee Brave” on one earring and “Bee Fierce” on the other. “Bee” is a personal theme in her life, given by my son, who affectionately calls her Danna Bee. These words reflect her resilience and independence … as she maintains their family while my son serves as a pilot in the Air Force.
For Kate, my other daughter-in-law, we created a tribute to her Ukrainian heritage. Her earrings featured the colors of the Ukrainian flag. Symbolic designs on each earring represent her homeland, where she and her family recently had to leave for safety. The tears in her eyes showed how much she treasured the gift and the thoughtfulness behind it.
Supporting Art and Craft
Buying directly from artists is a heartfelt way to support their craft. Giving a hand-crafted present brings joy and significance to its recipient. The process of choosing or creating a meaningful item is like any other act of thoughtfulness… it shows that you know and value the person receiving it.
Why Choose Handmade Gifts This Year?
If you haven’t tried it yet, explore an art festival or a local gallery. You’ll discover items that are truly one-of-a-kind and created with love. Shopping at these places can slow down the frantic holiday pace, making it an enjoyable experience for you, too. There’s a unique joy that comes from knowing it’s something the recipient won’t find anywhere else. So, start your own tradition of giving handmade, and enjoy the process—it’s a gift for yourself as well.
If you’d like to start your first art experience with me, then I suggest you join my Priority List. You can sign up by going to my HOME page and scroll to the bottom for the sign up. My Priority Listers have first dibs on specials. They are offered artwork, limited editions and gift sets not found on my website and not available to anyone else.
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