Wednesday 1 September 2010

HOMEMADE PRESENTS...

What is your opinion about home made presents ?

I have made home made presents for almost everyone I have needed to give a present to in the last 18 months. both young and old...

But I do wonder if people actually like receiving something handmade, or whether they secretly think me a little tight !

I get next to no homemade presents, apart from when I take part in swaps, (maybe that's why I enjoy taking part in them), I would love to receive more handmade gifts as I think there is something special about being given something that someone has taken the time and effort to make themselves... but maybe that is just me ?..


I have quite a lot of birthdays in September, the first ones are for two of Hebe's nursery friends, one has just turned 4 and the other is almost 5, just about a year apart but they will actually both start school with Hebe next week..

I found the tutorial for this gorgeous Molly Monkey at mmmcrafts where you can download the pdf pattern, she actually has little shoes and a beret to go with her which I have not made yet..

So I have made this Molly Monkey and intend to make a second one today..

I hope the two little girls will like their Molly Monkey's when they get them, all packed up in a nice cotton bag with their name on..from the reaction I have had from my own girls, I think they might just, and I also think I might have to get on with making a couple more ! (Hebe and Clemmie turn 3 and 5 years in a few weeks)...

11 comments:

  1. Maria, in my opinion most people do appreciate gifts that are homemade but for the most part they are people who also sew as they realize the amount of time and effort that goes into making the gifts . I think the monkey is so adorable , the little girl will love it of that I am certain .I'll have to check out that site .

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  2. Good home made presents are just fantastic, Maria, and I know from experience that yours are very good! It's only a bit cheapskate if they're rubbishy - otherwise I think people really appreciate the time and skill that went into the creation of their gift. There's no way that anyone would consider a present you'd carefully chosen and made as anything other than very special!

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  3. I love handmade presents - but also rarely receive them. I make them for the people I know will really appreciate them - luckily that's our family and lots of our close friends.
    Molly monkey is gorgeous - I'm sure she'll be very loved x

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  4. Hi Maria, I love homemade presents and they always go down a storm when I make them for the children's schoolfriends. Like you I wish I got more homemade presents but we can live in hope!!

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  5. Well, not being 5 I don't know if I count but I LOVE Molly Monkey!!

    I'm selective over who I give handmade to. I have several friends and family members who "get" how time consuming it is to make something personal (although I don't think even they realise it's NOT the cheap option!) and they always make all the right noises when opening a parcel. But if I'm not sure of the reaction I will get then I think very carefully about if I want to invest the time (and the money, but mostly the time)on someone who may think I'm being cheap or who would prefer a bottle of perfume. And I get VERY few handmade gifts so those that I DO have are very precious!

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  6. Its a tricky one - I think some people love to get homemade presents and some just don't get it. Homemade comes with love,care and time which of course you cannot put a price on.

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  7. Completely agree with your comments and with those of the others. But I really think that little monkey is so swee she will be very well appreciated. Hopefully one day more people will realise the time, energy and effort (and money!) that goes into good handmade presents. Juliex

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  8. I love your monkey! I would be so delighted to get her. I do give lots of handmade gifts, mainly because I love to make things but really don't have anymore room in my house! I just assume everyone will be delighted! I get very little handmade stuff back and actually I must be such a difficult person to buy for as not only can I make my own things but I also have a shop that sells lots of lovely stuff that I can just take home if I want! I do feel really sorry for my friends.
    I think your kids will be really popular at school when their friends see what great stuff you make for birthdays!

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  9. What to say... I agree with all of the above! Love the handmade stuff and I am sure other do too. You don't get any back because other people DON'T take the time and put the effort in to make things... Either too busy or not skilfull enough. I am sure all your presents are very much appreciated!

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  10. I'm quite sure anyone receiving one of your homemade gifts would be very grateful. They probably won't know how much time and effort went into it. But generally we enjoy the process of making the gift so perhaps we shouldn't expect the recipient to understand. I know that most children will enjoy the homemade gift, perhaps not right away, but it will be something that they will love. And it sure beats giving a cheap gift. I don't get many homemade gifts either, but then most of us don't it would seem. I guess there just aren't as many people like us out there who are capable of making gifts. Enjoy those that you get from your children.

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  11. Does it count if they are hiomemade by someone else?? I've given your stuff to lots of family and friends over the past year or so and everyone has loved them. Just wish I was as talented!

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