Christmas gift question :)
 

I am wanting to make a couple of table runners for Christmas gifts for an Aunt and a neighbor. Would you make it in Christmas fabric (thinking that Christmas would already be over when they opened their gift) or would you make something that could be used year round??????

I know this is a personal preference~ I just want to see how many of you tend to go each way!

Thanks :)

I would whatever your heart feels

I would make it year-round or spring-like. If they are opening the gift at Christmas, it's really too late for a Christmas-themed gift. Those are best given earlier, around Thanksgiving.

My thought is always that Christmas decorations never have to really match anything else and people don't feel obligated to use it all year so they won't hurt anyone's feelings.

Could you make a reversible one that could be used for Christmas or year around.

Why not reversible? Holiday themed fabrics on one side and the other in the colors of their decor? Much more versatile.

Christmas doesn't end on Dec. 25th in my house. We keep the decorations up until the feast of the Epiphany, Jan. 6th. So I would use Christmas place mats for another week and a half. However, I like the idea of reversible place mats. They would get a lot more use.

Do they like to decorate for Christmas? If so, make them with Christmas fabrics. If not, then see how they decorate their homes and go with your instinct. I am sure they will be treasured because you took the time to make them something special!!

I like Tartan's idea! :thumbup:

If I could finish it by Thanksgiving, I'd do a reversible one with Christmas on front and winter scene on back. If giving it at Christmas, I'd do a snowy scene on one side and a spring scene on the other. Either way, they'll get 2 seasons out of it. And I would try to find fabrics in the tones they decorate with, regardless.

I also like the suggestion of reversible!

If Christmas fabric is used, you could direct that the gift be opened early - as soon as received.

this was my thought also

I like the idea of reversible - Christmas on one side, and spring/summerish on the reverse. More bang for the buck!

I would make it Christmas on one side and everyday on the other. Give it to them, wrapped, a couple weeks before Christmas. Make sure to tell them to open them soon.

This is me as well. I'd continue to use the Christmas for a period. But reversible with a spring/summer theme is good as well. Or a fall theme. Then they could just migrate from fall to Christmas????

I like snowmen or snow flakes fabric it's winter but can be displayed longer than just Christmas.......calla

I know a lot of people going to craft shows look for winter rather than Christmas , so they can get more use.

Well, I think I'd make a winter themed quilt, or maybe a star themed quilt instead of a Christmas quilt. My guess is that many people will only use a Christmas quilt for about two - four weeks a year, but would use the others for much more of the year.

Either one would be a great gift, however, I love the suggestion of the reversible runner.

Thanks everyone~I think I may try for a winter/spring reversible........:)

I host and run the table runner swaps here on the board. I personally think something in Christmas fabric should be delivered well before Christmas as a gift. If its a Christmas gift why not use winter fabric? the beautiful blues/whites/silver snow fabrics? absolutely make the back a reversible could use in another time frame.. just bind it in coordinating colors to match both sides. Say if you use blue/white then do the back in hearts and roses for valentines day you could bind it in white so it is easily flipped. Those are the runners that make everyone happiest I think a dual usage item.. keep in mind the persons home colors when making them and they will get lots of love for a very long time. (ie if they have rust and green don't make a blue and pink runner)..

I also use tartan's idea when I make seasonal table runners too. If it is a winter themed on one side I make it either fall or another season on another. Or it could be Christmas on one side and winter on the other to extend the use time.

But, if you want it to be used year round, make it with something that fits the colors and theme of their dining room.

The year before last I made runners for all of my sister's in laws and my two sisters. They were Very well received. (They fit the color scheme of their homes.)

This year I am making purses. I hope they all like them as much as the runners.

When I give something made with Christmas fabric I give it at Thanksgiving.

Check out the blog at Salt Water Quilts. She does this and I think she might have a tutorial, as well.

I wouldn't worry about a Christmas themed piece being too late if opened Christmas morning. It can be used that day and will surely be used next year, it won't be thrown away like wrapping paper. In my house Christmas is celebrated till Jan. 6 also.

If you make it in CHRISTmas fabric, I would definitely give it to them about two weeks before letting them know that you wanted to make sure they would get a chance to use it.

Tartan wins again on her suggestion, makes it very useful for a long time.

I did Autumn/ Fall. On one side and Winter pine ones and snow on the other. I made a second one with winter birds for January and reversed to hearts for Feb, the third was green shamrocks for March and pastels for Easter.

I'm not much of a holiday decorator, I would appreciate something with a winter tone that would carry through the winter or something that matches my decor for year round use.

I don't see what state you are from? Here in Wisconsin it is winter for a long time. After Christmas the snowmen collection comes out until the end of February, so a snowflake runner would be perfect for a resident of a northern state. The snowmen take a bit of bite off the winter doldrums that I always get after Christmas. So I say go with a winter motif.

I made two last year for my sister for Christmas and made them to match her bedroom (as dresser scarves). But the reversible idea is very smart! If I had used Christmas fabric I would give it to them early and tell them it's an early Christmas gift.

I've given Christmas themed quilts at Christmas, there has never been a problem with the gift needing to be put away with the decorations. They enjoy it for a few days or a week then pack it away. It is always appreciated again the next time Christmas is unwrapped.

How about Christmas theme on one side and a spring or year round theme on the other. Then they could just flip it over as the seasons change.

I agree with making the runner reversible. I made one for my sister last Christmas and did a spring theme on the reverse, she loved it. Runners have to be one of my favorite projects, so many options and being a smaller project I can play with learning new quilting techniques. Whatever you decide it will be the right thing.

I think giving a Christmas themed gift at Christmas is great if she's the type that decorates for Christmas. She can put it away until next year and the years after. It's always nice to have something fresh to bring out next year. The problem is I usually struggle to remember who gave it to me!

It could be WINTER or seasonal themed

I like the Winter/ Spring idea for a Runner... Off white binding in a blender print would pretty well go with any of the fabrics you choose for a Reversible Runner.. It will be much loved ...