Creating Handmade Holiday Gifts
When I was in grade school, the entire class used to make gifts for our parents and loved ones for the holidays. My grand parents held on to bottle top trees and drawings for years afterwards. As I got older, I made fewer gifts. When money was tight, I made tea breads and home made cookies for a few years. My loved ones still ask when I will make more. I’m an artist, not a baker, but these gifts resonated with everyone.
I often felt bad that I could not buy a gift or that someone would think my drawings were cheap. On the contrary, I believe everyone recognized the thought and effort that went into making gifts rather than buying something in the store. Making gifts, especially drawing something, was also something that I really enjoyed.
Thoughtfulness
Making a gift for someone is both fun and thoughtful. You don’t have to be an artist to make something for someone for the holidays. You could draw a picture, make a song, record a video, write a story, bake some cookies, assemble a hot chocolate kit, or many other creative ideas.
Handmade gifts should reflect thought and consideration. What does the recipient like? What can you make that might make the recipient feel special?
I made two drawings for gifts last week. I wanted the drawings to be a sketchnote style illustration. An illustration of a song lyric that was special to each person.
My art supplies were limited due to traveling out of town. The limitation brought a constraint, using two colors. What could I make with two sharpies, one black and the other gold?
After some research into the lyrics of each song, the two sketchnotes were taking shape. I picked a part of the lyrics and sketched my ideas for the illustrations. You can see the results in the images for the songs “Away in the Manger” and “The Bells of St. Mary.”
One-of-a-Kind
Getting a present is great! Getting a one-of-a-king gift is magical. Nobody wants another pair of socks or average find-it-anywhere gift. Unique gifts are memorable and will be cherished for years to come.
Handmade gifts offer a personal, unique, and meaningful alternative to store-bought items. Have fun making the gift.
Happy Holidays!
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