POLL: Store-Bought or Home Made?
#227226 - 11/25/05 10:23 AM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Tell me something, Guys -- if you had a choice between receiving a store-bought gift or a home-made gift, which would you prefer?
I'm an old broad, and times have certainly changed, but there was a time when home-made gifts were the ONLY thing to receive; they were special, they meant a lot. Now, however, I don't think that's the case anymore. At least you never see folks making things and giving them away; proof of that is all the mobs at the malls.
So which is it? Which would you prefer?
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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time and love goes into the gift no matter what it is.
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Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
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I would SO much rather get something handmade. I have a tiny wish list on Amazon for the family members who are really at a loss (or who, like my brothers, insist that they *can't* hand-make anything), but 'most everyone who knows me knows that I want handmade goodies over anything else. My mother just told me a couple days ago that she's almost done with something for me, and I'm all giddy now - I can't wait to see what it is! She knit me an incredible Celtic knotwork sweater 2 years ago, it's one of my most treasured possessions. Seriously!
And I, for one, will NEVER be a part of the mob at the mall ever again. For the past 3 years, I'd say about 95% of the gifts I give are handmade items. (The rest are bought online throughout the year, and some are even re-done secondhand items or antiques.) If they don't like 'em, tough dookie. They're more than welcome to give the gifts back, and I'll pass them on to someone who will be more appreciative. So there!   
Edited to add.... I'm not knocking anyone who shops at the mall. I know a lot of people, some of my family included, who make a huge tradition out of running off to the mall on Black Friday. I think I worked retail enough years, though, that I'm completely burned out on it. I seriously have set foot in a shopping mall ONE TIME in the past year!
Edited by atomic rose (11/25/05 11:16 AM)
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Some homemade gifts are fabulous, some are awful! I do love homemade gifts from kids no matter what they are -- it's really touching to me that they care enough to want to make me something. And I love stuff like scrapbooks. I think the biggest thing that gets me about homemade gifts are that they reflect what the giver wants to give, not what the giver thinks I want to receive. Like, so, if you're going to spend hours and hours making this great quilt, why are you making it in violent shades of magenta, purple, and lime-green when you know that my favorite colors are muted pastels? Or, if you make me soap or bath salts, weren't you paying attention the last 7 years when I'm constantly whining about how my skin is so sensitive that nearly all bath products give me rashes? Or, I know that for some reason you get a kick out of covering dead wreaths in gold spray paint, but have you noticed that I have NO DEAD WREATHS in my house? Or, that heartening plaque you carefully painted with friendly geese and the legend "Welcome To My Home" may be all sweet and country-esque, but haven't you noticed that everything in my house is all modern chrome and glass?
I mean, I'm not saying everything above actually applies to me (I hate chrome and glass (and friendly geese)), but honestly, I just don't think it's right to expect someone to love a homemade gift just because you spent three hours on it instead of $30.
And, yes, store-bought gifts can suck just as much as homemade gifts. It's not how much time or money you spend -- it really is the thought that counts. And the thought is whether or not you're making the effort to find out what the other person really wants.
I have a feeling that this sounds very grinchy. I don't mean it that way. Or maybe I do. I haven't gone Christmas shopping yet and the only thing I know for sure is that my sister will be getting cash.
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jen
"It's one of the most serious things that can possibly happen to one in a battle -- to get one's head cut off." -- LC
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Homemade hands down.
Couple of years back, I didn't have enough money to buy everyone gifts, so I ventured out (in the idiocly brave/stupid move on Black Friday) to get some fleece at sale prices at the fabric store, and made double layer fleece no-sew throws for everyone. Since most of the people who got them were old and rather cold natured, they LOVED 'em.
Last year, those who we could get to after christmas (big snowy storm here), got homemade Baklava (one of my specialties). Some got cookies.
I love making things for people becuase I think it shows more thought, and that you would take as much time to make something as you would hunting through the mongol hordes at shopping centers. Sadly, I just don't have the time to make all that stuff now (pesky management job). I may start something next year where some lucky person gets a nice crocheted afghan, but that kinda thing takes me a whole year to work on.
Hey! I could give doilies this year. I have a metric ton of the damn things at home. That's my fidgeting. Crocheting doilies. 
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Jonna, IBS-D
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... and say store bought. For this year, anyway. There is a lot of stuff that I NEED that I can't afford to buy for myself and that can't be home made. Like, I don't have any good pots or pans. I need knives, as I have none. The other thing I am asking for is a magazine subscription because I love, love, love home magazines and I spent too much buying them at the newstand.
For me, the other problem is that nobody I know is really into homemade so if I asked for home-made I might end up with macaroni art, hee hee! Just kidding.
Actually, my mom has started learning to crochet and she has been making everyone else these hats so I expect to get at least one homemade gift.
I am completely incapable of doing anything artsy, so I am pretty pathetic at making things.
I do disagree that presents you buy for people can't be personal, though. I have gotten lots of presents, and given lots of presents for the good old mall that have been really awesome pressies that were very well received.
Hmm... does cash count as store bought or homemade?  I always get some cash from my grandparents, which is nice but unfortunately always goes to Mr. Visa or Mr. Mastercard or Mr. Car Insurance.
Happy Holidays everybody!
--Steph
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~~I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell-I know right now you can't tell~~Matchbox 20
IBS-D,pain.
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When J and I got married we were just 1 year out of university and had NOTHING to our names except a futon mattress (no frame) and a couple of desks. We were the easiest people to buy for for a few years because we had NOTHING!!!!! Wedding gifts for us were so easy - just buy anything - we were guaranteed not to have it (or if we did, it was a 30 year old hand-me-down).
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Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
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The gifts I love best are the ones that you can tell someone put some love and thought into their purchase or something they made. For me it is what is behind the gift...not so much the gift.
My grandmothers wish was to make all of us an afghan for our weddings. Her hands gave out a couple of years before I got married...that would have been a treasure for me.
I need to get started on afhgans for my kids...
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Have a blessed day!...Rachel
stable and sooooooo thankful!
I have IBS but it doesn't have me!
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was a quilt that J's 90 year old Grandmother made us. We picked out the squares and the material, and her nieces sewed it together on the machine, and we all helped quilt it. Everytime I look at it, I think of her loving hands stitching it. We even got some mennonite women to come over for a day to help! They'll do anything for ice cream, God bless them! And they're the best quilters around here. They have quite a reputation. Wonderful people, they are. That quilt is one of my prized posessions. I will NEVER let go of it. I will pass it on to one of my children when I am old.
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Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
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It depends on who the giver is, of course!
Considering who I know...storebought is infinitely preferable.
But, actually, Bevrs...I don't really care! Mostly, I just like hanging out with people that I cherish. The gifts are sort of beyond the point. Mostly the holidays are a reason/excuse to enjoy each other.
I avoid malls and just give gift certificates.
Kate.
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Quote:
It depends on who the giver is, of course!
Lol, I agree with Kate on this one. For instance, my great aunt makes the most GORGEOUS quilts, and the couple of times she's given them to me I've been ecstatic. But I can't really think of anyone else in my family who makes anything nice themselves. So rather than get something tacky I'd end up tossing, I'd have to say I'd prefer storebought.
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"Anyone can exercise, but this kind of lethargy takes real discipline." -Garfield
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...some home-made gifts I've received in the past have been completely unwanted and I've just received them and thought: "why the hell are you giving me this?!"!
I like that saying that you should only keep stuff that's useful or beautiful. If a gift falls into those categories for ME and had been bought with me in mind then it's wonderful whether it's homemade (tho they can be more precious) or store-bought. But if someone can't be bothered to think about what I might like in a gift, I'd prefer they gave me cash!
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Thanks guys. I like all your opinions. Very interesting.
Well, this old lady always makes her gifts. Yep, everyone gets a home-made gift if at all possible. I try to see what someone wants or needs, find out their color schemes, and get myself out to the yarn store or craft shop. When I see them wear the item I've made, it really warms my heart. When I see them wear it a SECOND time, I know I did the right thing.
On the other hand...... it's actually very selfish on my part, because it's really ME who gets the joy out of the gift, not the recipient. I should re-think this some more, obviously.
I would like to believe that, if I knew someone was in need of things that I could not make them, then I'd trek out to the mall, but if I thought for a minute that they wanted to decorate their bedroom with a jazzy throw pillow and matching tissue box holder, I'd find out their color scheme, and that's what I'd make 'em.
I could never give cash or a gift certificate. I need to give something from ME.
See how I am? 
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Bevrs
#227294 - 11/25/05 05:01 PM
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With your talent, I think someone would be crazy not to appreciate something you have made! The sweater you made Barbie is gorgeous...
I think I would keep going just the way you are now!
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Have a blessed day!...Rachel
stable and sooooooo thankful!
I have IBS but it doesn't have me!
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but ...
#227305 - 11/25/05 06:36 PM
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jen1013
Reged: 05/06/05
Posts: 1322
Loc: the wabe
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OK, first off, let me say that I am fairly new to this gift thing. My family never did holidays so it's only been within the last 4-5 years that I've actually started doing Christmas, birthdays, etc. So apologies if I inadvertently offend anyone.
Having said that --
Quote:
For the past 3 years, I'd say about 95% of the gifts I give are handmade items. (The rest are bought online throughout the year, and some are even re-done secondhand items or antiques.) If they don't like 'em, tough dookie. They're more than welcome to give the gifts back, and I'll pass them on to someone who will be more appreciative. So there!
This kind of makes me wonder -- why? I mean, OK, so I'm giving you a gift. Right? Well, I'm giving YOU a gift because I want YOU to have something that YOU will use and/or enjoy. Sorry, Casey, not picking on you in particular -- I've seen a lot of people (not just here on the boards) express the sentiment that "well, if they don't like it, that's just tough" about gifts. And this bewilders me. Like, maybe I am just missing something here??? I mean, I know that some gifts are more an obligation than anything else ... but gift-giving is about the recipient. Right? I mean, if gift-giving was about me and how I feel, then why am I getting another person involved? Maybe it makes you feel proud and talented to give people boxes of homemade stationery, but if I don't write letters and you know I don't write letters, then what does this become?
OK, maybe this totally doesn't make sense. But I'm still so lost in the gift culture thing. I don't really understand the way people approach this.
*** NO OFFENSE INTENDED *** NO OFFENSE INTENDED *** NO OFFENSE INTENDED ***
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jen
"It's one of the most serious things that can possibly happen to one in a battle -- to get one's head cut off." -- LC
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ROTFL--yes, I'll take what my Dad makes best any day--MONEY!!!
Honestly, Kree--I'm with you. Everything my Grandmother sews is one of a kind/designer/made to order. I love my Aunt's pottery. I love my Dad--and I love his money too. But, even without it, I'd love him (and I have during his broke/spent moments).
Some people are crafty--others (like me) need a class/lessons.
Mostly the holidays are about partying for us.
Kate.
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Thanks Rachel
#227321 - 11/25/05 08:16 PM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Thanks. That was really nice.
I'm an old-fashion gal who hasn't received many home-made things; in fact, I only remember one. It's SO special, I gotta tell ya about it:
We used to own a little cottage on the coast in California, just a little tiny country cottage overlooking the ocean. One day, my best friend took time off work and drove down to my house when no one was there. She sat outside and drew a picture of our little cottage, then went home, and over the next couple of weeks, did a needlepoint picture of our home, from the sketch she had made. The colors of the yarns were absolutely true, including the little geraniums in the window boxes and the red gingham curtains! Can you BELIEVE it? That was 35 years ago, and of course I still have it in its frame, hanging on my wall. I lost that friend, unfortunately, so this home-made Christmas gift is one I treasure more than anything.
Yeah, home-made gifts really "do it" for me....
Thanks again.
Bevvy
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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I don't have time to make all the gifts some years- with this many new babies I've been working on things for them... besides so few actually appreciate it.. so we are buying for some and making for others!
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Dietetics Student (anticipating RD exam in Aug 2010)
IBS - A
Dairy Allergic
Fructose and MSG intollerant
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mostly depends to me on the age of the person....but i'm plannig to make individual gift baskets for everyone...with necklaces that i make, to coffee flavoring...things like that....i'm not fully sure. for my daughter of course she's getting store bought stuff. if i'm closer to someone i'd rather have something they see and think about me....weather its 50 cents or 50 dollars, you know??
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Dear Bev,
The best gift you can give any of US on the boards...is your time!
Your time is filled with love, wisdom, grace, laughter, spontaneity, fun, truth, honesty, and peace.
Your gift to us...is YOU *hugs*
Thank you for sharing yourself with us day in an day out.
As a child...all I wanted from my family was TIME.
I asked my fam to turn the TV off!
So I beg of you...give a gift of meaning, of love, of truth.
Love,
Ruchie
P.S. Whether you spend time on someone shopping at the mall or making them a heartfelt present...give the gift of time.
Love you *hugs*
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Put me on the home-made side! I haven't been in the Malls and don't plan on going. I usually make up baskets of the stuff I can in the Fall. Everybody seems to love getting it. I always tell people the gift is what in the jar, if they bring the jars back they'll get more next year and I always get them back.
Love,
Jamie
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Hi Ruchie,
I agree, Bev's time and advice on the boards is priceless.
I also agree that time is one of the best gifts. Whether it's homeade or storebought, the time spent on what to buy or make someone.....trying to pick out just that right little something is what's important.
Unfortunately, I'm not talented so I really can't make homeade gifts but I always spend lots of time picking out things for people and lots of love and a part of me goes into each gift.
My DIL and I spent lots of time Christmas shopping this weekend and we had so much fun just spending time together doing something we both enjoy.
Hugs
Barbie
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