In 1996, my husband was hurt on his job and became very ill. he was unemployed with very little income. We are firm believers in 'fix it up, wear it, make it do, or do without." to make a long story short we had a lot of financial challenges for about 4 years. All my birthday gifts and christmas gifts given to others were made on the sewing machine. My husband became extremely skilled at being a wood carver at the time, and all of his given gifts became hand carved. There is not one person i can think of that didn't appreciate the homemade, handmade gift. My husband started a folk art nativity set to send out to 10 of our closest friends and relatives. Every year for 5 years, he would carve 3-4 pieces and that would be the xmas gifts he gave out. At the end of the 5th year, the nativity set was complete for everyone, and you could see the beauty of the carvings as they became more detailed every year. When we visit friends and relatives each year during holiday time, we see my husband's artwork set out for display and i also see my sewing projects that I have made. Give me hand made, with love, any christmas time.