It's Christmas time & we all look forward to getting together with family and loved ones But despite the shopping frenzy we see at this special times, it's actually Love that brings us together and the best gift of all. But we can't wrap Love or place it in a gift box... or can we? We all love special things but as they don't all have to come off the shelf, I think it's worth valuing those gifts which are hand made, making them unique, individual and created with care.
You may know this about me already BUT working in Design I'm a big supporter of artisanship, the process of creating and making things by hand. It's often these items which we stop to admire for their quality, their hand-made beauty and unique character and one special ingredient, very valuable: time! These are special objects, and so worth giving and receiving. The process is also as special for the maker as it is for the person who receives it, and it feels more like the spirit of Christmas, doesn't it?
"So, what can I make?" you may ask, "Where do I start?"
Well, last month I asked for everyone to contribute ideas to the giving of handmade Meaningful Gifts this Christmas, and here are just a few of the creative suggestions I received. Have a look and be inspired - More info HERE.
Below, I've listed a few more ideas for easy expressions of love; see if any of these can be of help for your giving of a meaningful hand made Gift this Christmas.
An artwork from the kids: maybe a portrait for the grandparents. It doesn't have to be perfect, but made with Love. Place it in a ready-made frame that fits and help the kids to wrap it. This is a treasure gift; a special one the children will be proud of, as even the simplest of artworks, will look that bit more precious when it's in a frame!
Hand-made cards: this is an easy one, come on. See a few inspiring examples below I've found on Pinterest. And if you feel that a card may not be enough, then why not place inside some movie tickets, a beauty treatment voucher, a lottery ticket... use your heart, then your imagination. It's easy to make, with the kids or your friends, and so effective.
These are just some hand-made ideas to get you started; search for more on the Web. And when purchasing a ready made object, chose wisely and only buy quality gifts, buy quality over quantity every time!
One final word: I suggest we include our children in ANY of the preparations for this family tradition, it's a great excuse to spend time together and to remind each other that Christmas is a special time, and all about giving! No matter how religious you are, or weather you go to church or not, this is also the time to celebrate one of the best known story of all time... and I don't mean the story of Santa, but the celebration of the birth of Jesus - who doesn't love a good story!
Merry Christmas to all.
James Treble is an ambassador for Planet Ark and firmly believes in sensible purchasing, recycling and creative re-purposing. James has three decades of accumulated experience in the Building Industry, Real Estate and Interior Design and regularly shares his knowledge and experience in adding value to properties through effective design & styling. Watch his free videos on YouTube, and follow him on Facebook and Instagram for more free information.
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