One of my family’s favorite parts of Christmas is our tradition of giving handmade or homemade gifts. The making of these gifts can start as early as January 1, depending on the nature of the project. Items are tucked away with the anticipation of the smile on the receivers’ faces. Part of the joy of giving a handmade gift is in the making — time spent thinking of the recipient and the memories and times you have shared.
Handmade gifts do not have to be fancy. They are gifts from the heart — simple things like handmade ornaments with children’s pictures fashioned with popsicle stick frames, or a piece of wood or clay fashioned into a keepsake. The other thing that our family likes to do is give a homemade gift to someone who is not expecting it.
So many times we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays and forget the true meaning of this time of year. It is fun to show someone you care: a gift of warm hand-knit mittens for the mail carrier, a plate of cookies to a neighbor, a jar of jam to a shut-in, or a larger crafted project for a special friend or relative.
Handmade gifts can be either simple or fancy. The material they are made from can be costly or cost nothing at all. The important thing about handmade gifts is that they show someone they are cared for because you have given them the most valuable offering of all:
the gift of time.
