do people really appreciate homemade gifts?

themull1

i like homemade gifts if i know the person, i wouldn't like home made cookies off someone that i didnt know incase they made them in an unhygenic way, like at school fairs, i won't buy the random home made cupcakes etc.

Jacey53

I agree - peopel are so different. I love to receive home-made gifts, as does one of my close friends.

One of my sisters still sees them as inferior, as did my other sister until I made her a pair of curtains with matching cushions for the spare bedroom.
She "thought they'd only be good enough for the room they don't use".

She "ordered" some for her own bedroom for Christmas.

I absololutely love home made food gifts as I have little time to do that kind of cooking myself, and any type of "smelly" is welcome to me. I think it's because i can understand the work that has gone into the making.

Fang_3

No. I really don't. I dread it when one arrives, because I know that I will never use, eat nor drink it. Though I appreciate the effort that has gone into it, I always will think "I'm sorry, have we met?" but I would think of it in the same way I think of anything from a craft fair - nothing positive. I mean seriously - how many hand-whittled figurines of the Nativity does one person need? It's all I can do to accidentally drop it on the fire.

Hollie84

IMO people get what they get and if they dont like it tuff! my family are allgetting hampers this year with a few sme;llies and then the rest of the stuff home made,its what i do as a business from home so think they kind of expect it i know my family think what i do is fab and i personally think its more personal to receive a HM gift,id rather that than a cd/dvd from someone

dogstarheaven

i've written a thread on here https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2931578 and i've been feeling half-hearted about whether these will genuinely be appreciated as in the preserves being eaten. on my side of the family, i know they will but the OH's family who's diet is more ready-made and basic, i don't think they will go down too well. i don't have funds to buy presents nor do i really want to waste my money on them too when i can make things cheaply and that i enjoy making. i was making cookies for the children, but logistically, this won't work out as i'm working all xmas week, so i'm getting biscotti made by my DD. she's offering to make me an extra batch. if i were to gift them to my OH's side, i don't think they'll like the look of them, let alone taste one!!

it's getting to the point where i might not gift that family anything, coz i really don't want my precious hours of washing peeling, sieving, sterilising of the preserve jars (and my DD's biscotti efforts) to go in their dustbin. i suppose why i've been feeling a bit forlorn about them is that i don't seem all that appreciated by them as i'm not family (OH's sister stated this) and they've not made any effort with me re. my offer of support to their families, or dinner requests unconfirmed/ignored... i suppose it's their way of life is different to ours...and i have to accept that...

would you still gift your hm goods not knowing if they're to be used?

pinkmami

TBH homemade gifts don't do it for me! Its a nice gesture but I'd not be that greatfull!

wallbash

TBH homemade gifts don't do it for me! Its a nice gesture but I'd not be that greatfull!

The most honest statement posted on MSE forum all year.

Trow

I think with any gift the crucial point is matching the gift to the recipient. This is just as valid with homemade gifts as with any other.

There is no point presenting most teenage boys with a hamper of chutneys and jams but he might love some home made cookies or fudge, while grandad is unlikely to appreciate a sock monkey but may well love the chutney.

I think that there is an ideal home made gift for everyone, but maybe they just don't realise it yet!

hermum

I'd love a HM gift, whether nice smellies or something edible.
This year for the first time I made chutneys & jams, everyone who knew I was making some asked for a jar. Their ages ranged from 20 to 72 so if I were to be giving presents I would give a little basket of preserves & maybe scones, clotted cream or cheeses & crackers.

FlowerPower

My sis makes the most amazing HM gifts, and has done a few years in a row. I love receiving them, as I appreciate just how thoughtful they are, and can only begin to imagine how much time she's spent making them.

However, I made some HM gingerbread house gifts myself a couple of years back, and was soooo embarassed at how dreadfully they turned out, that I haven't really ventured much into making gifts again. Though I wrote her a story book last year - illustrated, written and coloured in by me! I was pleased with it and it took me AGES, though the look on her face suggested she wasn't so thrilled! Ah well, can but try.