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2012 - The Year of Handmade Gifts!

2012 - The Year of Handmade Gifts!

Old 12-27-2011, 08:55 AM
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Default 2012 - The Year of Handmade Gifts!

I know it's early for resolutions, but I've been sitting here watching the news. I cannot believe the crowds that were out there for Boxing Day Sales, and it's continuing on today.

I have decided in 2012, that I'm not buying anything for my knitting and sewing unless I need it to complete a UFO.

I have decided in 2012 that money will not be spent on gifts for our adult sons. I will make them things they can use in their homes, be that a quilted item, a food item, whatever.

I have decided in 2012 that our little granddaughter will receive lessons in sewing and also in making doll clothing for her 18 inch doll. Her gifts will be doll clothing, a Barbie quilt for her bed at her daddy's house, dresses made by Grandma for summerwear at the trailer and time spent going to interesting destinations.

I have decided in 2012 not to go to as many expensive quilting retreats. I will attend Sulky School because I learn so much. I will go to visit friends and sew for a couple of days in the States, and I'll attend one retreat with a very good friend here at home in Canada. Other than that, I'm not going to pack up all my stuff, cross the border, and sit and sew on banquet tables in uncomfortable chairs with really carb-laden food for days on end. It's not worth it anymore. I'll miss seeing people, but truly cannot justify the time and expense when I have a fully furnished and equipped sewing room here at home.

I have decided in 2012, I'm not going to be tempted to buy anymore Featherweights, no matter how much I'd like to fix them up...I have 3. I could be tempted by a 301, but it'd have to be extra pristine. I have one already.

And all this because I cannot cope with the brand of consumerism I saw on the television. I have a good part time job and can afford to buy things, but really it just doesn't seem necessary to me. Am I losing it or just showing my age?

Last edited by LyndaK; 12-27-2011 at 08:59 AM.
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Old 12-27-2011, 09:25 AM
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I think you are a very wise woman.
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Old 12-27-2011, 09:37 AM
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I think you are just being reactionary. It will pass. I AGREE with you in part. We stopped exchanging gifts when my youngest sibling was 18 and out of high school. Only children in the extended family receive any kind of gift. We do more for each other during the rest of the year (I don't work well to deadlines). However, homemade food or sewn gifts are welcome by everybody except one.

I think it's a fine thing to teach your granddaughter sewing skills. But, lets remember she still deserves to get some new things, even packaged in plastic!

As far as the retreats, if you get little value from them, then pick the ones that you particularly enjoy. I never went on retreats due to health problems. I feel a bit of an outsider (and very envious) since nearly every other quilter I know goes to them. But, that's the way it is.
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Old 12-27-2011, 09:49 AM
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we as a society are prone to so much excess that often we don't even realize that we are doing it. i stop collecting many years ago and would rather spend my money collecting memories from trips i take, cruises with friends, packing up my car and visiting a friend who needs it and spending time meeting new and visiting old relatives.

my family and friends are the jewels of my life. it's been said friends are the family that we chose and i have some really wonderful friends both here in the u.s. and internationally. i cannot build memories with another new piece of fabric or another antique sewing machine or another bolt of warm & natural or another sewing notion or collecting quilty things that i may never get to use. that is just my perspective. my family and friends are loving the things that i have been making them. the quilts last, the potholders last (for a while at least), they loved the cookbooks i put together for them this year for christmas and the dresses i will be making my youngest niece. i have made double sided baby blankets & quilts for my great niece & nephew and my friends first grandbabies.

yep handmade is good, leaves a lasting impression and is so much better than consumerism and collecting we have become prone to. spend wisely in 2012. of course this is all my opinion and how i have chosen to live my life.

Last edited by Havplenty; 12-27-2011 at 09:51 AM.
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Old 12-27-2011, 09:54 AM
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I'll second that!

Originally Posted by BLAP View Post
I think you are a very wise woman.
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Old 12-27-2011, 10:53 AM
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I made my first advent calendar this year for DGD and made most of their gifts. My daughter got towels for the guest room that I embroidered, my SIL got neck bands with crystals that hold water for mowing the lawn in the summer, I did snap bags (with tape measure pieces) for almost everybody and got rave reviews from all. I have always made some things, but I made it a point this year to give hand made items. I saved a ton of money as I had a stash of dish towels and fabrics for the items. I customized for each person and took my time and talent to give things that would be used and kept. My daughter called after the gifts were opened and started telling me about the day. The girls opened their vests with sherpa lining and put them on and wore them all day! They can't stop talking about the advent calendar. They were very excited about the corduroy skirts, and my daughter said every gift (except those from outside friends and family) were in my cloth, reusable drawstring bags! She is using aprons and potholders from years gone by, and the new table runner is great! .....I have left my mark! I will be remembered! I saved money! I used resources and my talents to give pleasure! What plastic wrapped toy gives that kind of pleasure? At my son's home I counted 5 broken toys before the end of Christmas day! Tears! Anger! Disappointment! Not from me, but good lesson learned..I am with you! Linda
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Old 12-27-2011, 11:23 AM
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I too think you are very wise If this kind of thinking means we are ageing then I am really old ......
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Old 12-27-2011, 11:25 AM
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If this means we are showing our age then I am really old lol. I think you are as someone else put it very wise!
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Old 12-27-2011, 11:34 AM
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I think you are on the right track. I wish more people thought the way you did. We don't need to "buy" our family....we just need to be there for each other. I made most of my gifts this year and they were all loved. That makes me feel good. I get to take my hobby that I love to do, and make gifts for others which are useful. The items that you make have meaning and I know my kids think it is the greatest to have handmade.
One of my daughters gifts were that we re-did her room. It cost me a gallon of paint. Everyone worked together and took everything out of her room, we taped it off, painted and put it all back together in 2 days. I made her new curtains too(she had to pick from my stash). It was something that she really wanted and we all had a blast working with each other(and the little ones get a learning lesson on how to paint).
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Old 12-27-2011, 12:12 PM
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I stopped buying presents for Christmas years ago and as I said on another thread, I give gifts through out the year, things wanted or needed just because I can in the moment. Retreats with friends can be had in the comfort of our homes with friends, and strangers now and then.
We don't ever need new things wrapped in plastic, when new things can be made for us or by us with love from family and friends.
I support you absolutely.
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