Handmade Gifts

Posted by Mary Welling-Bonney Dec 20, 2007

Is it better to purchase a store bought item or give a gift you have made yourself? There are definitely different camps when it comes to this question.

I personally am prejudiced. To me, if you have taken hours of your time and designed and created something just for me, I am truly fortunate. Wouldn't I rather have something that was machine made to perfection. Not on your life. Yes, the handmade items often have imperfections. Those imperfections are the signature of the piece that makes it unique. I am not receiving a gift that five billion other people are receiving where the most you had to do for the gift was stand in a line for a few minutes and give someone your money.

Years ago I was dating a man. At Christmas time he surprised me with an easel. He had made it himself. I still have and use that easel. I have been given many store bought ones in the years since but that one remains dear to me.

If you have an opinion on this, whether it is the same as mine or not, e-mail me and let me know. I would be glad to share your thoughts with readers too.