I make gifts for family and friends all the time. Sometimes I get replies from the receiver, sometimes I don't. It is the joy of making that gift, and all the thoughts about the receiver while creating that gift, that gives me joy. Guess that is why I so enjoy getting a handmade gift over a store bought one. I know that I was thought about while the gift was being created. Take joy in the love of your creations......the one that really gets the joy of giving is THE ONE above watching over us. Give, and you shall receive.

I think they're great and I can understand why you're hurt. I think most young people (anyone that hasn't moved out on their own) don't understand craftmanship and doing something that takes alot of time and patience. I think they view quilts as "bedding" and something that's strictly utilitarian. Unless these kids ( and probably their mother too) have been around you and seen what goes into making a quilt they have not concept of the craft. Personally I wouldn't waste my time on anymore handmade gifts. And yes I would rather give money and not get thanked than to give a quilt with no acknowledgment.

Your quilts and ornaments are beautiful. I know how it hurts to work on something so hard and have it not appreciated. But know that you did a good thing. Maybe someday they will appreciate the quilts.

I have happen to me also, with grandaugthers

Your quilts are beautiful! It's too bad that some people were never taught basic manners.

I agree whole heartily!!!

I just texted their mom and she said they did receive them and were amazed. She is mailing their thank you notes today. Guess I need to start eating my crow!!! Thanks for letting me spout off here and for the advice to contact them. You guys are great.

Oh man that is awful If it were me I'd call to make sure they got it and wait for a response..

Your quilts and ornaments are beautiful and it is apparent a lot of time and love went into them.

I have had similiar experience and have changed my attitude.

Yes, it would be nice to get a written thank you and/or a telephone call but I've decided my "joy" is making the quilt and if I get a thank you it's just frosting on an already wonderful cake.

People who are not quilters have no idea how much time go into our gifts.

"WE" all appreciate your quilts regardless.

Your quilts and ornaments are beautiful! I'm so sorry that after all the work (and money)that you put in you've not heard anything. Manners are not taught much anymore so maybe a call from you, as suggested, would be a start, perhaps with a gentle statement that you'd appreciate hearing that gifts are received. Perhaps a thank you would be forth coming as well with a call or note. I'm sure you model these manners when things are sent to you. Take heart in your love and your gifts given to others regardless of the response or lack. It is you who give the love, seeds of encouragement, and even source of manners to others and you who suffer if hurt is held onto. Rejoice in your gift and your love given freely. Blessings!

Although an immediate phone call to you would have been nice it has only been a few days since the gifts arrived. Doesn't seem like it is past the time of common courtesy for a thank you. If you are worried whether or not they actually received the quilts giving them a call would definitely be appropriate.

Your gifts are beautiful! It's really a shame that some people do not realize the time and love, never mind the expense, of making a quilt for someone. Would you feel comfortable calling and just asking if they arrived? If they don't say thanks at that time, then I think you will get your answer on whether to keep sending gifts.

:thumbup: Love the purple quilt... Great work.. :thumbup:

I love both esp the purple, They are both beautiful. relatives can be ill mannered. What kinda person dont even say "thank you"?Sounds like the kids take after their mom. I would never waste my time making them another thing. People that dont quilt have no idea of the time and money.

I would tell them they were sent accidentally and ask them to send them back......they obviously do not appreciate your work and love......

Find a trusted charity which will acknowledge and appreciate your gifts -- Salvation Army, Quilts for Kids, Project Linus, for example. There are so many people out there who are in immediate need. Check with fellow quilters for even more agencies which will be most grateful. How about all the recent tornado victims who were left with nothing?

If mom doesn't acknowledge presents, that's where the kids got it from. I guess I'd just stick to buying something. I know when I make something for my DIL and son, and DGD's I always get a thank you by phone, and email, and a written card. Some times I think she goes over board, but I'd rather have that then no acknowledgement at all. Sorry this happened to you.

Those are beautiful! I would call to be sure they got them. I'd also offer to pay for the postage to send them back if they don't like them before they end up on ebay...

I like that.

I made all of my neices kitchen towels and bread liners one year for christmas . there are 5 of them and only one said thanks for the cutest things

Your gifts are beautiful. I recently made my son a quilt (I am a newbie) but not his fiance'. I made her a fleece tie blanket last year and recently spotted it in the dog kennel. She will not receive hand made gifts going forward.

My thoughts also. I'd cross them off my list after that...only make for people I know would appreciate my quilts.

I now send a check. When they cash it I know they got it. My work is to good for people that don't like that kind of stuff, graduate without learning to read and write, so bad they can't buy a stamp, don't realize the worth of love spent to make a one of a kind item just for them.

Much less money spent and more for me to buy for my crafts/sewing. Your quilts are beautiful, we on the board all realize the work and money that went into a gift like that. I am sure many of us wish we were on your gift list. Thank you for them.

Graduation is a busy time, give them a couple of weeks and maybe you will at least get a card.

I'll be your niece or nephew!! And I won't miss a beat when it comes time for a little appreciation or recognition. It seems the younger they are the less appreciative they are. You do wonderful work. It is a shame no one has the time for a 2 minute "thank you" phone call. Maybe, if you become a little (FORGETFUL)at Graduations, Christmas, Baby Showers, Birthdays, etc. It might make a few people become more thankful for the things that you do. As the old saying goes, "Nobody notices what I do, until I don't do it".

I too have had this same experience with my nephews. I have made baby quilts for their children and no thank yous. So this younger generation has not been trained to send notes of thanks. To bad, they are missing the point all together. So just be glad you did what your heart said to do and send only a card from now on. YOu have paid for the future gifts with the quilt!!!!

I am happy to hear they are coming through with thank you notes! How could anyone NOT appreciate those quilts. It seems our lives get so busy that simple thank you's don't get done. I keep a "thank you" notepad so the special things people do for me don't go unnoticed! It's a wonderful way to keep friends and family close! My heart goes out to everyone who has made quilts (and other items) and there is never a thank you to be seen or heard! People can be so ungrateful. Hugs to all of you!

When I offered to make a quilt for my granddaughter and sent pics to her mom of the stars I was going to use and then didn't hear back, I decided that I'd just make her a tote bag with the stars. It's way too much work for something that may not be appreciated. I emphathize with you! My parents always had us kids write out thank yous before we could play with our gifts, so I don't get it when folks don't do this.

Good answer!

Good answer, Judi Marvin!

Great job...........Very pretty...

I'm glad they appreciated the gift.

So sorry this had to happen to you - I know the feeling when something is homemade and you would like for someone to appreciate all your time and efforts - but you must realize that people do what they KNOW:
apparently they were not taught to be Thankful - I read somewhere on this site: What I make with my hands - I give with my heart::: Your gifts r beautiful and be happy for a wonderful heart:

Those quilts are awesome and someday they will look back and see that they should have appreciated them more.
Just wait until they wrap up in one on a cold wintery night.
They will be thanking you then, and thinking how wonderful you are.

They are gorgeous! It is really a shame that some people don't even acknowledge gifts. I have some in my family too and am tempted to just stop sending gifts, but that would bother me more.

Wow! Those ornaments are gorgeous! And the quilts are beautiful, too. "You live what you learn." If their mother doesn't know enough to send a thank-you, the kids have never learned it, either. I'd call them and ask if they received them. There's no excuse for poor manners.

We keep hearing this story over and over again. I think from now on if I make a quilt/gift for someone and they don't acknowledge it within a reasonable time frame, I would not make them anything again. That seems to be the only way to find out if it is worth the time, energy, and money for a particular person. Make only for those who appreciate the effort and send, in some form or other, a thank you for the gift. Just purchase a gift for the others. Why do we punish ourselves this way? Your quilts are wonderful and the ornaments are fantastic!!! PS: As others said, apparently the parent does not send a thank you for gifts received so guess the kids were never taught. I don't care how old you are, manners matter!!!

I have found out that the young people in today's world do not want any gift other than money. Some adults are the same way. I was even told that by one adult that I know. So, now not gifts are given at all. Unless it is cash, and more of that the better, they don't want anything. They want the cash to buy what they want and not what you want to send them. It is a sad and thankless world we live in.

The gifts are beautiful. I would email the kids and say you are cking to see if the quilts arrive. Ask if they liked them and then tell them, if they don't like them, to please send them back. Then you can send them to me hehehehe. I have some grandkids that never acknowledge my gifts to them, some email and some call me, none of them send thank you notes.

love your ornaments! Mind if I ask where you found the pattern? My quilting friends always ask for new ideas and this is a winner in my book! Great job! Sorry about the lack of response from family.