#gno information!

DIY—The Benefits of Giving Handmade Gifts

#gno information!

The DIY phenomenon is here and more and more people are choosing to give handmade. Why is that?

chalkmat1

1. Because It Is Cost-Effective.

More often than not, you can make something for less. Of course there are exceptions, but this works well when you have a budget to stick to. Kris recently made some chalkboard mats for her nieces and nephews. Can you believe she was able to make 9 of them out of 1 yard of fabric? Talk about a bargain! Another friend of ours made purses for all her girlfriends for a holiday gift exchange they had. When making many gifts at one time, doing so in assembly line fashion works really well as we purchase all needed items at once, lay out the materials, and thrust into the project at hand. Before you know it, we're finished with something that was not only enjoyable to do, but cost very little in relation to purchasing something in a store.

chalkmat-unfolded

2. Because It Can Be Personalized.

When we make a gift for someone, we 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 we've been so impressed with those who can create the same project, yet individualize each one to make them special for 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.

name-pillow

3. Because It Can Become a Treasure.

apron2 Kim still has a crocheted blanket our grandmother made for us when we were young. Seeing this reminds us of her love and dedication to our family. We can imagine the excitement she must have felt while making it. In retrospect, we don't know if we ever showed my full extent of gratitude when that gift was given. Oftentimes that may be the case. But looking back, our hearts are filled with thanksgiving as we recognize the hours that must have gone into something so extraordinary.

Do we still purchase gifts for family and friends from stores? Of course we do. But while acknowledging that making handmade gifts does take more time, for us, giving a gift that is handmade is very fulfilling to both the giver and receiver.

The following two tabs change content below.
An active part of the Mom It Forward team, Jyl primarily writes about parenting, social good, and all things travel related. In a past life, Jyl was an award-winning copywriter and designer of corporate training programs for Fortune 100 companies. Offline, Jyl is married to @TroyPattee; a mom to two teen boys and a beagle named #Hashtag; loves large amounts of cheese, dancing, and traveling; and lives in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. Topping her bucket list is the goal to visit 50 countries by the time she's 50.

You might also like...

Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


Web Statistics