8 Things: Generous Gifts for Trying Times

I always look forward to doing the *8 Things lists.  Today is no different.  With the economy as it is and people beginning to realize that they have to live the rest of the year, gift giving during the holidays has definitely changed.  This is not all bad, in my opinion.  We get to be more creative and gifts have the potential to be more meaningful to the giver as well as the receiver.  Rachelle has come up with a great list for gifts one can give on a tight budget.  I'm taking a few moments to think about some gifts that differ from her list.  This may be more difficult than I thought.  Heck, who am I kidding?  I've been giving like this for years! LOL!

My *8 Generous Gifts List

1. Give a 'certificate' to a mom for an afternoon/evening/night out--free babysitting!! (we mothers will LOVE this!)
   
2. Bake loaves of bread (banana, nut, pumpkin, wheat, etc.) to give.
   
3. Share your favorite cookies along with their recipes.
4. Make your holiday cards adding personal touches for each receiver.
   
5. Hand write a letter/love note telling what you like/love about him/her.  (Remember when this was the thing?! )
   
6. Give handmade gifts--knitted, crocheted, sewed, quilted, cross-stitched, painted, "scrapbook-ed," baked, colored, etc. etc.
   
7. Offer to teach one of your friends and/or their children a skill or something you're good at.  I'm sure there is something that you do that they'd be interested in learning--photography, graphic design, knitting, painting, sculpting, speaking another language, etc.
   
8. Get a group of family and friends together and go volunteer at a local shelter together over the holidays.  Isn't this time about giving?  How better than to give to others WITH your loved ones!

*Bonus*
Are you planning to work out or start a path to a healthier you?  You are probably not the only one.  Give the gift of being someone's partner in this.  Whether  it is speaking over the phone to touch base and give encouragement to actually walking together or going to the gym together, this is an invaluable gift!

So hopefully this has given you some good ideas!  I'm interested to seeing what you've come up with.  Go to Rachelle's blog, Magpie Girl, to find out more about *8 Things, grab a button, and play along!

Happy Gift Giving!!

The 'Perfect' Gift

Earlier in the year I took the Handmade Pledge with regards to purchasing things.  The idea is to support those who sell handmade items. I think it's a great idea and if done thoughtfully promises the receiver a wonderfully unique and special gift.  This year I won't be purchasing handmade, but rather will be making them with my own hands.

I've spent the past few days thinking about what handmade items I'll be giving for this holiday season. I've looked through a host of Etsy.com stores. Read through lots of crafting sites/blogs to get a sense of what others are giving/making this year. I even took a view through some handmade YouTube videos. After looking at what I've previously made and given over the years (knitted scarves, blankets, quilts, aprons) I've been looking for something that will be useful as well as pretty--something worth getting! ;-) No need to add to the clutter and unwanted items we all seem to have around the house!

Well, the other day I finally came upon something that speaks to all my objectives: 1) it keeps me within budget, 2) it is handmade, 3) it uses recycled items (an added bonus!) and 4) it has the potential of being the 'perfect' gift!! There is only one problem--I can't share what it is.

Several of my family members and friends who are on my holiday gift giving list have now started reading my blog. While I am very thankful for this it now poses a few issues. LOL. I don't want to spoil things for them! Nor do I wish to get the "don't worry about me this year" call/email/text. (smile)

But since I'm so excited about it, I'll be taking photos and taking notes so that I can share once the gifts have been given. Part of the fun in making gifts is seeing people's reaction to what you've made just for them! The other part is actually taking the time and using one's hands.

I am thankful that I have family and friends who appreciate a handmade gift. I'm so looking forward to sharing what I'm doing with the rest of you here. I will keep you posted!!!! (smile)

Until then...check out the link upon. Perhaps you'd like to take the Handmade Pledge yourself!

(I found the image above on Google.)