I used to always HAVE to give home made gifts to family (due to a step-family that was large), and friends. My friends ALWAYS enjoyed the gifts. My step sibs always just hurmped!!! the gifts (but it didn't stop me year after year). Then one year I took a job at "The Mall" and was SOOOOOOO happy with my employee discount, that I bought ALL my gifts that year. I still gave a few home made gifts to my friends (but family got MALL gifts). You should have seen the LOOKS and COMMENTS when the family opened the gifts (NO HOME MADE GIFTS!!!!). My oldest step-sister in a big loud voice said "HOW COME I DIDN'T GET MY QUILT THIS YEAR!!!!!!". Each year I would make one large (husband & wife gift along with all the other home made gifts), quilt for one of my step-sibs. One of the others said what about all the home made candy and cookies???? We didnt get any of them only this (gift from the mall). On one hand I was sad, because no one liked the gifts that I had gotten them. On the other hand I was happy, because for the first time in 10 years they told me that they loved my home made gifts. Before the night was over, my oldest step-sister told me what I was to make them for the next year!!! (I got the last laugh on them - I only made gifts for the people who ALWAYS valued them - the rest get MALL gifts - my step family still remembers this and they have had a lot of fun with it over the years).
Happy Sewing
Snooks