Christmas is coming up fast and the season for going into debt and gift giving is about to start. I really wonder if people are going to be spending again this year like economists are predicting? I think not, but that’s another post.
Here’s an interesting question are homemade gifts tacky or lovely? Is it frugal or cheap? How to decide?
There are awesome points to both sides. Homemade gifts can be awesome (I think so!) and I adore them. To me personally they show how much time and effort the giver put into thinking of a gift, making it, and then giving it. I love getting cookies, candy, fudge, etc. Actually since I’m not very skilled at any homemade stuff, I sometimes bake and give away food as well.
But on the flip side, some people hate homemade gifts because they feel the givers are giving away the hobbies they enjoy instead of gifts people really want. Or are justifying a gift that isn’t really thoughtful.
For example a person wrote “Is it tacky to give away soap in a bucket I made?” I say no, but some people said, is it nice? Are you giving the same thing to everyone? Is it made in bulk or personalized? How do you know people can even use that type of soap?
I’d personally think it cute, probably something I’d toss since I have sensitive skin and certain soaps do irritate it. But I’d feel awesome at the nice gesture. And yes I understand it could a way of being cheap and giving everyone the same gift isn’t very original. But at least the person put the time and effort to make me a gift. Granted a homemade gift of a photo album or picture frame to me is always lovely.
Where do you stand on homemade gifts? Does it depend on the gift?
11 responses so far ↓
1 Meg // Nov 27, 2009 at 10:17 am
As with ANY gift, it should be thoughtful. But if it is, then they usually are more thoughtful, imho.
For example, giving regular cookies to your friend who has a gluten allergy just because that’s what you’re giving to everyone isn’t very nice if you know she has a gluten allergy, and probably still a bit inconsiderate if you didn’t notice that she doesn’t eat regular cookies but baked them anyhow thinking “Everyone loves cookies!”
However, if you bake absolutely 100% gluten free cookies for her and package them up really nice, then I think that would be a nice gift (unless she’s on a diet or just really hates cookies or you make a big deal about her condition around others).
2 444 // Nov 27, 2009 at 10:49 am
I think they’re usually ugly knick-knacks that I have no idea what to do with. Clutter objects that gather dust.
3 Ginger // Nov 27, 2009 at 11:37 am
I think it depends on what you’re giving.
This year I’m doing mostly homemade gifts, but they’re all things that people can use, with a lot of heart and wrapped up nicely! Most of my friends don’t get to eat delicious homemade goodies and they all like my baking, so I’m going to give them some elaborate items as gifts, along with some canned fruit & apple butter I made in the summer.
I think the gifts will be well-received because they know I put thought and effort into it, and it’s something they wouldn’t get anywhere else!
I’m doing everything in bulk, but it is all recipes, etc. that will suit all my friends, so there will be no gluten-free gaffe as another commenter mentioned!
Besides, it’s either homemade or nothing for xmas this year. I don’t have the money to do anything else.
4 Marie // Nov 27, 2009 at 3:49 pm
I think the same standards apply to homemade gifts as to store-bought ones: is whatever it is attractive and well-made? Is the receiver likely to genuinely appreciate it? I think it’s possible to overstate how “special” handmade is– it can be special, but it can also be poorly made or a bad choice for the recipient… but the same can certainly be said of store-bought, too!
5 Lindsay // Nov 27, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Homemade gifts should still reflect the recipient in some way, not just the gift-giver. I don’t think I would ever make the same thing for everyone I know, even though I might make everyone different homemade gifts. This year I’ve sewn pillows based on people’s decor colors, made jewelry for those that will enjoy it, and ornaments for others. I also paint and draw and sometimes will paint something with someone particular in mind, which people seem to adore. For other people (like people who work for me) I would never give them homemade because it wouldn’t seem to fit.
6 min // Nov 28, 2009 at 10:21 am
Homemade gift should be the way to save money during this economy meltdown. Homemade is thoughtful and meaningful coming from ourselves.
7 eemusings // Nov 29, 2009 at 9:44 pm
Hmmm. I’m doing gift baskets/hampers, and filling them with a mix of store bought stuff and some home made stuff (baking). I’m hoping our families appreciate them – and I think it’s more fun, and cheaper, than just going out and shopping for presents.
8 Abigail // Nov 30, 2009 at 1:41 am
Personally, I’m a big fan of homemade gifts. To me, the thought behind the gift matters as much as the actual thing. (Though it’s always nice to get something you can use and that you actually like.)
The gifts that make me happy tend to be the ones that show the person was really thinking about me as a recipient. That’s probably why homemade gifts always strike me as great. It also means you don’t have to feel guilty about giving a frugal present of your own, which is fabulous!
That said, as Meg pointed out, you need to be aware of the recipient’s needs. Don’t give regular cookies to someone with a gluten intolerance. (But if you make them specialty cookies, you’ve probably just made a friend for life!) Don’t give a diabetic homemade jam. In other words, it’s all about making sure some thought goes into each gift, whether it’s choosing the person’s favorite color or catering to dietary needs.
9 Thinkingaboutit // Dec 1, 2009 at 11:39 am
I’d love to get some of the homemade items already mentioned in these responses! Wish I had a knitter friend who was going to make me a wool beret and a long, long scarf. Or one of Lindsay’s pillows matched to my decor. I’d be happy with the soap too!
I’d love some re-usable cloth bags made of the giver’s own recycled fabrics. Homemade jelwelry–yes! Art I could hang on wall, plate of cookies, your home-smoked meats…Lots of things!
10 LAL // Dec 1, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Meg, great point. I think of it like giving a vegetarian friend dish made with chicken broth!
444, I like cooked homemade gifts, not so much knick knacks like knitted stuff, etc. I don’t think they are as useful.
Ginger I love homemade cookies and stuff. But I wouldn’t use homemade soap because my DH has allergies.
Marie, definitely true, Homemade can be very attractive, but is it really useful?
Lindsey, I’d love pillows that matched. but I’m not so sure about paintings, etc.
Min, sometimes homemade gifts are made in bulk to save money. But maybe a nice card without the dust catcherness of the gift would be nicer.
Eemusings, I like baked goods and jams/jellies, etc. But I’m not keen on soaps, knitted stuff, crocheted, etc.
Abigail, I agree it’s the thought that counts.
11 LAL // Dec 1, 2009 at 12:19 pm
I think that part of it is the clutter. I have one scarf, how many more do I need or hats? Or paintings or pillows? Now cookies and meats, yum.
Soap, not good because i have sensitive skin right now, so I use special soap.
I think it also depends on whether your friends like clutter or are very simple people. If they live very simply with one or two items they use forever. Then giving them more stuff sometimes even homemade isn’t worth it.
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