We sometimes decide to give homemade gifts for the holidays and special occasions. While some may consider this cheap and corny, we enjoy the process of creating and giving them.
This doesn't mean that we never give purchased items as gifts. The majority of our gifts are store-bought. I am simply not very good at picking out good store-bought gifts. The process of shopping in a store when I don't know what I am looking for is close to torturous for me. I try to shop online and then I find that I spend more time beating on the keyboard or mouse than actually accomplishing anything.
My brother on the other hand is a pro at finding the best gifts for others. He simply goes to the store, wanders around until it comes to him and it is usually the perfect gift for the recipient. It's actually pretty annoying to be bested at every holiday gathering where presents are exchanged.
So, we decided that even if the recipient doesn't like the item, they have to consider that it took time to make it. Take that, little brother!!
Here's an example of one homemade gift:
This sign was made from pine wood obtained from a tree on our small homestead.
We cut it down to the desired size, cured it and stained it. Then we hand-painted the design and applied a sealant for added protection.
A hook was placed on the back for easy display.
Here's another example of a homemade gift:
Bottle Opener
This bottle opener was made from oak tier rails reclaimed from an Ohio tobacco barn.
They were hand-cut and sanded.
A hand-painted design and sealant were added.
The attachments for easy bottle opening and a twine hook for easy display when not in use.
While it is nice to stick it to my little brother when I can, it is also a lot of fun to create and give gifts that we have created.
If you find that you would like to give handmade gifts but do not have the time, please contact us. We can work together to create the perfect gift for a loved one while you stay in control of the creative side of the process.