That’s it. I had to have it. If I had to go to 10 different stores, line up at 4 AM on “Black Friday” or go online and bid far more than my pocketbook would allow, the hot toy of the season was going to be mine. I pictured my daughter’s face opening it up. It would be the picture-perfect moment when at last she would tear open the toy she had begged for all season. A year has now passed. Now what was that toy? I honestly can’t remember… and I’m sure she can’t either.
Now rewind to that same Christmas. I also made her a pillow with her own name on it. I do remember carefully selecting the fabrics. I remember feeling so “gitty” when I found just the right color choices that would coordinate with her bedroom so perfectly. Everything that made her room hers, I found! I remember the night I put her to bed and ran to my sewing room so excited to get started on my project. I would hope she’d love it as much as I loved making it for her. Watching her elation as she opened that gift was 10 times more enchanting than seeing her set aside the “had-to-have” toy a few short hours later. She was captivated by the pillow, and happy to ask, “Mommy! Mommy! Did you make this for ME?”
The “D-I-Y” phenomenon is here and more and more people are choosing to give handmade gifts to those on their gift-giving lists! So why give handmade this holiday season?
1.Because It’s Cost-Effective
More often th@gmail.coman not, you can make something for less. Of course there are exceptions, but this works well when you have a holiday budget to stick to. I recently made some chalk-board mats for my nieces and nephews. Can you believe I was able to make 9 of them out of 1 yard of fabric? Talk about a bargain! Another friend of mine made purses for all of her girlfriends for their gift exchange. I also like to write down my gift-giving list early, and then think of how I can make several of the same gifts for a group of people- such as favorite teachers. In assembly-line fashion, I can purchase all I need at once, lay out my materials, and thrust into the project at hand. Before you know it, I’m finished with something that was not only enjoyable for me to do, but cost very little in relation to purchasing something at a store.
2.Because It Can Be Personalized
When I make a gift for someone, I always keep in mind what is important to them or about them. Whether it’s a name on the gift, remembering their favorite colors, or making something of a sentimental nature, a handmade gift is one way of showing you care. Handmade gifts can be very unique and different. Countless times I’ve been so impressed with those who can create the same project, yet individualize each one to make them special to the one they are giving it to. Whether it’s something that has been knit, sewn, painted, or glued, you can make the right gift for just the right person.
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3.Because It Can Become a Treasure
I still have a crocheted blanket my grandmother made for me when I was a child. Seeing this reminds me of her love and dedication to our family. I can imagine the excitement she must have felt while making it. In retrospect, I don’t know if I ever showed my full extent of gratitude when that gift was given. Oftentimes, that may be the case. But looking back, my heart is filled with thanksgiving as I recognize the hours that must have gone into something so extraordinary.
Do I still purchase gifts for family and friends from the stores? Of course I do. But while acknowledging that making handmade gifts does take more time, for me giving a gift that is handmade is very fulfilling to both the giver and receiver.

The Christmas holiday season should be filled with joy.  Not a time when people feel overwhelmed and disappointed, because they can not afford to give store bought gifts.  A homemade gift is often a priceless treasure that may have people remembering for decades to come.  No more wandering aimlessly through obscure stores or web pages searching for Christmas gifts as the hours before Christmas tick down to zero.

With the economy being like it is this it the year for you to make the gifts you give for Christmas.  

Below are some of the gifts that I discovered can be made with little or no money:

1. Make Personalized Hand Made Gifts:

Example #1:

I did not know my in-laws very well at that time, so I thought I had to buy something special for them.  On Christmas Eve I still had not been able to buy them anything. I thought & thought about what I could give to my in-laws, finally I came up with a few last minute ideas. I did not have a sewing machine at that time, so anything I sewed would have to be by hand. I dug thru my old fabric scrap box I came across a small piece of red organdy.  I began to think of what I could make for Morene out of it.  Then, I remembered that my mother in law always wore aprons when she cooked. 

Then I started to work on something for Harvey (father in law), I found some red and blue plaid fabric pieces, I thought he might like.

·     I worked on it almost all night, but by Christmas morning it was a very presentable vest.

Each year we had Christmas breakfast at my in laws and then they went with us to my parents for Christmas dinner. When we arrived at my in laws on Christmas morning, I put the gifts from us under the tree with the massive amount of gifts that were already there.  For a few minutes I felt bad thinking how small our gifts were in comparison.  But, I did not feel bad for long.  After the children had opened all their gifts, it was our turn to open gifts.  I handed Morene her gift and Harvey his.

When Morene opened hers she began to cry and then to hug me.  Harvey opened his and immediately went in the other room and put it on.

Harvey passed away a few weeks ago.  But, if he were here, he would have on his vest this Christmas Day.

Example #2:

My former daughter in law (Mellissa) was only about 21, she made me a baby size quilt by hand.  She embroidered a tree with branches and leaves on it.  The grown children’s Dad & I are the tree trunk.  Each of our children are branches, and each of the grandchildren are the leaves. She embroidered all of their names and birthdates on the leaves.  It is a Wonderful and Unforgettable gift.  It hangs on my wall today.  (I’ve had to add a few leaves.)  :>)

Example #3

Shortly after my Dad passed away, my daughter in law (the same one) gave my mother a gift that she treasured for the rest of her life, and I treasure it now.

•2. Treats:

Homemade treats always make the perfect free Christmas gift. I like to make gift baskets or tins for my neighbors and friends. 

People you give these gifts to will really appreciate them.  I lot of women work and do not have time for baking homemade goodies.

When you give these free Christmas treats, the receivers will be thrilled.  Whether they are family, friends, neighbors, your mailman (woman), they will love treats for a Christmas gift.  The candy and cookies are much more precious than any Christmas gifts that you could afford to buy.  PS:  If some of them are diabetic, be sure you make diabetic treats…

3.  Babysitting:

4. Run Errands for Friends, Family, or Neighbors:

5. Make Crafts:

I have a grand daughter in law (Amber) who crochets knits, sews, etc.  She is always making something for somebody.

A homemade Christmas gift that they can keep forever means so much. When you put your time into a gift, your receiver does not think of the gift as free.  That is a gift of love.

6. Get freebies from the Internet:

These are just a few gifts that you can give; all come from the heart and are filled with love.  Chances are your friends or family member doesn’t need what you could afford to buy for them anyway.  What you could buy may not fit them, maybe they already have the item, or as my Grandson said to me “We don’t have room for it!” and they may just have to exchange what you bought for them.

Shopping for Christmas gifts can sometimes be a cumbersome task. That is why a lot of people put it off until the last minute. Others put it off because it is tough to find just the right gift at just the right price. On top of everything it becomes tiresome running from store to store lugging around shopping bags.

That is why more and more smart shoppers are shopping for Christmas gifts online. And there really savvy shoppers are shopping for handmade Christmas gifts. Shopping handmade for your Christmas gifts is a fantastic alternative to shopping retail.

Typically all monies spent on a handmade Christmas gift goes directly to the handmade artists. This is always true when you make your purchase directly from the handmade artists. Shopping for handmade gifts gives you more variety and uniqueness.  This makes finding the perfect gift so much easier than shopping at a retail chain.

Also when you purchase directly from a handmade artist the quality of customer service is out of this world. Handmade artist have a vested interest but they are so happier than they typical store clerk who simply sees you as number. Handmade artists often see their shoppers as a lifetime relationship. They enjoy making their customers happy and they always strive for excellence.

If you would like to experience an enjoyable shopping experience this Christmas shopping season then you should ShopHandmadeOnline.com, of the world wide webs premier online handmade gift catalog. You will find great quality handmade Christmas gifts that are also affordable.