It's that time of year again and the holidays are fast approaching.
Don't blink.
Every year our family makes homemade items we send to relatives for
Christmas (substitute your holiday that you celebrate here). It
originally started out necessity. Way back when, we spent $35 on baking
supplies and turned it into 15 gifts. Then it became something that
people looked forward to receiving (they've said as much--unless they're
lying) and now it feels strange if we don't bake, we tried it one year.
It has become part of our celebration and tradition. We bake one loaf
of pumpkin bread and one of cranberry bread (truth is the cranberry
bread doesn't always get made--it's a 50/50 shot) and an assortment of
cookies or bars per gift box. Over the years we've branched out and
experimented by adding an additional homemade item and have tried making
hand-dipped beeswax candles (from a kit), packed bulbs in flower pots,
ornaments, and decorated picture frames, to name a few. Making
something helps me find meaning in the holiday, it feels less
commercial. Depending on the recipient, we may include a book or
journal, boxes of tea or food items, locally handcrafted soaps, etc.
One year we sent a Chinese food kit to our siblings and that was a big
hit. I'd do that again except I like to make something. My husband
feels differently. He's been wanting to give it up, make things easy
and give gift cards. I have to admit it sounds a bit tempting to give a
gift card, but between our two families we still send 12 gifts to
recipients in 10 states--so we couldn't pick just one card--we'd have to
figure out which store was near them and the more I think about it, it
feels like a cop out. My husband says people like gift cards, they can
pick out what they want. He went on. He said people make their own
bread and cookies, they might not miss ours. Ouch. You think?
So I need some new ideas. And I need whatever it may be to be
reasonably lightweight. The last couple years we spent as much on
shipping as we did on the cost of the gift. I thought this year I'd
make jam from our own blueberries and raspberries I picked however,
that's another heavy item (and glass jar) to mail. So I scratched that
idea.
By the way, I recently read Hundred Dollar Holiday (subtitled The Case
for a more Joyful Christmas) by Bill McKibben and was inspired by the
book.
What does this list full of inspiring and creative homesteaders do for
gifts for the holidays? What do you make--or do you make some or all of
your gift? Please share some of your tried and true or your favorite
holiday gifts. Only 42 shopping days until Christmas. Sorry, had to do
it. Thanks much.