I wish people would appreciate H/M gifts!

_Layla_

I've decided to do the 'Journal in a Jar' for my parents Thank you for the link

crazy_girl

irishgirl62 wrote: »

last xmas was the first I did not give home made xmas present as my partner died and it was felt throughout the family and friends, so this year I am doing extra H/M gifts to make up for last year

I think if people do not appriecate H/M gifts they must be shallow... I made ai book for a lady who was 100 last August and I have heard about the book so many times through people who did know know it was me who made it for her saying and it sums it all up cos she has told lots of people and her sons too that "it was the most lovely gift as she put thought, energy and time into making this book"

i totally agree with the shallow thing! i love home made!

home made cards are the only ones i keep, the others are recycled and ive got home made gifts from years back, lastign so much longer than the bits and pieces ive been given instead over the years.

rosalie-lavender

[QUOTE=brokeinwales;25728041
Sometimes younger people have peer pressure issues going on I think. When I was at school one of my friends whose mother was a fabulous dressmaker was mercilessly teased because she wore homemade clothes and "couldn't afford to buy them". I'm sure the same kind of stigma still goes on nowadays.
....[/QUOTE]

I found that quite interesting because a couple of nights ago my daughter told me her friend had said " I wish I had a mum like yours who made me home made brownie and nice dresses." My daughter sings in all the school shows and usually wears something home made. She told me the other girls often look disapointed when they find out her dress wasn't bought in a shop because it means they can't go and buy one the same.

That was so rude about the knitted cardigan but it reminds me a bit of my MIL. I have given up making anything much for her now and so have my children. There always seemed to be something not quite right with everything either I or my children made.

A week or so after whatever had been given there would be a comment. "It was nice but....." The thank you card the kids had made should have been a full letter (they had thanked her on the day anyway-card was an extra thanks) My daughters cd of songs she made for her should have had a goodbye on the end, the jumper I made was too high necked (in spite of being vitually identical to one that was supposed to be her favourite.)

We have all given up now because it seems that whatever we do some little fault has to be pointed out to us. My children used to do individual thank yous until the year she turned to my eldest then only about 9 and said "well you didn't put much effort into yours did you?" In fact he had made the most effort of all three but because she doesn't understand computers she assumed the pictures the other two had copied in had involved more work. My Mum's comment was that she is lucky to get a thank you card at all because my children's thank you is the only one my Mum gets.

Now I still do little home made things but I don't do anything big and the children don't bother making anything for her at all.

She is really sweet and has helped us a lot over the years but tact is not one of her virtues and praise has to be accompanied by a critisicm.

myalphabetgirls

Hi everyone, I haven't posted yet on the crafty side of life as am just getting involved in it.

I lost my daughter in August this year and have been struggling considerably and not known what to do with myself to be honest. I have two other daughters but I needed something as a distraction iukwim. I have been a member on here and pts for a while being a great lover of bargains and by chance clicked on the crafts threads by accident. I am hooked. A completely beginnner though sadly, my fingers and brain are not quite singing off the same hymn sheet at the moment! I have started making a memories scrapbook of Chloe as I am frightened like you wouldnt know that I will start to forget her. I think it is especially necessary for my youngest daughter who is just 5. In time I know she will forget her, its inevitable really.

I have always loved homemade gifts and knowing how long it takes me to make anything I would really appreciate that the giver had taken a long time on something just for me. Anyone else can blow it out their ****!
and for that reason alone I would give them a great big duck egg and spend my time, love and money on those who do appreciate it.

Grief has taught me to cherish the moments you have now because you truly dont know when they might not be there any more and its too late. I always meant to make handmade dollies and stuff with Chloe and her sisters and somehow never got round to it. OMG, I wish I could have just a short time back with her now and I would stay up all night making special things for my special girl.

I have been struggling and it was her 3 month anniversary last week and whilst I am still emotional and lost without her I decided just a few days ago that what do most of us do when life throws us such difficulties - sink or swim - it applies to everthing. So I could sink - but how can I with two other girls to cherish and an OH who drives me nuts but I would never be without or I could swim - so I have decided to swim for my life!

Crafting just seemed a nice distraction along the way.

Hope my post hasnt depressed anyone I just wanted the op to know that if someone isn't appreciating their kind heart then find someone who will for life is truly too blooming short!

love to all you inspiring nimble fingered ladies out there. "myalphabetgirls" is a reference to my three daughters whose names began with A (Amelia) B (Beth) and C (my angel Chloe).

thanks for reading this, its just my opinion thats all x

*Louise*

((((HUGS))))

You made me cry reading that, believe me, you won't EVER forget her.

As time goes by you will spend a little less time each day hurting until eventually your heart heals. It may heal, but it never forgets the ones we love.

Crafting is a wonderful way to keep occupied. And you're right, if someone doesn't appreciate it, life's too short, why worry. They can have the mass produced tat if thats what makes them happy

xxx

mambury

myalphabetgirls.... my heart goes out to you.
I don;t know what else to say but I admire your courage.

Mambury

bluestarrz

myalphabetgirls- all the love in the world to you and your family, so brave.

I have realised the same thing, life is too short.

learn2cope

My heart goes out to you myalphabetgirls, your story really puts things into perspective.

I have always made homemade gifts for my family for birthdays but usually bought for Christmas but this year everybody will be receiving HM novelty 'its the thought that counts' gifts such as the toilet paper, the tennis ball (stressball) and the dammit doll. My family always appreciate everything I give them as most of them are quite crafty and realised the time and effort that goes into things.

The only person I'm dreading is my MIL. Whatever I buy for her the first things she does is look for a label to tell her where I got it from and then comes the comment! One year I bought her a gift from M&S but as she couldn't find any name on it she said 'it's lovely, you got it from the charity shop did you'. She is the only person that I have to send a decent amount on and the present has to look expensive. Her daughter is exactly the same but luckily I no longer buy for her.

Well this year she will be receiving the toilet roll and a few extra bits (possibly the handbag tidy) and I will just have to put up with the comments. I have learnt that it is not worth putting yourself further into debt for Christmas presents you can't afford just to try and please someone who should be grateful for the thought.

halia

See I wouldn't appreciate a 'crafty' homemade gift - buts thats not because its homemade but because I really can't ever see the point of things like etched glassware or fluffy gnome (no offence its just not me) so if someone gave me that I would feel that they hadn't put much effort into thinking about what I liked.

HM edibles or very practicle things would always be appreciated however. My MIl made some fitted cotsheets for me 3 years ago which was great, HM from fabric she already had so minimal cost for her.
Also TIME! as a very busy mum who works + studies I'd really appreciate babysitting 'voucher's or offers of a backrub, help with garden/ DIY, ironing etc.

mary-op

myalphabetgirls - my heart goes out to you. I lost my husband and little boy in 1971 so I know exactly how you feel. Like you I had two other boys and that helped me to cope I'm sure.
This year my mother died and recently my OH has been ill with lung problems yet to be diagnosed.........I've found any form of crafting the perfect therapy.........creating something, no matter what it is.......sometimes it doesn't work out so you try again and it does bit by bit finding out where your skills lie.
My grandchildren have a right laugh at some of the things they end up with but its a nice kind of laugh that we can share. Likewise my two sons, now grown up and with partners or girlfriends. Youngest sons girlfriend can't wait till she gets her shoe box of stuff to see what I've concocted for her.
MIL isn't a fan of homemade things so she doesn't get any -she's happy with a magazine subscription for the year.

Love the idea of a memory box and wish I'd done one for my son but he does have a special photo album with details all about him.

Best of luck with your crafting. I'm sure you'll create some beautiful things because they'll be made with such thought and affection.
Bless you x