ontheedgeofeverything

I wrote a post a few days ago about Secret Santa gift exchanges and how they’re a fantastic means to save a couple of bucks during the holidays. I’ve been thinking about the costs affiliated with Christmas quite a bit since I wrote that blog post, and in brainstorming other ways to save some costs while Christmas shopping, I started to ponder the concept of homemade gifts.

I think it’s worth mentioning that homemade gifts don’t necessarily receive the credit they deserve. Regardless of the occasion that you’re giving a gift for, I think we have become so accustomed to buying things from big-name corporations that we’ve become oblivious to the thought and care that can be incorporated into a personalized, homemade gift.

Say, for example, you’re trying to figure out what to get your mom for Christmas. Sure, you could go out and buy her some candles that she may never burn, or maybe a bottle of wine she may never drink from the LCBO. There’s also the option to make her something and work in some personal touches to create a gift she will likely appreciate for many years because of its sentimentality. If she loves to cook, you could make her a personalized cookbook, equipped with notes and messages from yourself throughout. If she’s a reader, perhaps you could make her a small shelf (if you’re savvy with power tools) to hold her books.

See what I mean?

When we give someone something we made, I believe their appreciation for the item at hand and for ourselves is amplified. Making a gift requires time, work, and effort, and it exemplifies your appreciation for someone as well. Making a gift is usually a much cheaper option, and it’s something that can’t exactly be monetized.

That, to me, is what Christmas is about.

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