Dreamscape Jewelry Design

December 16, 2018: The Gift of Giving

“For it is in giving that we receive.” — Francis of Assisi;

I have always loved the holiday season from the music and festive decorations, to the gatherings and traditions that bring back treasured memories.  One of the things I truly enjoy is finding meaningful gifts for the recipients on my gift list.  Participating in arts and crafts shows as we do, there is a wealth of products and opportunities to find beautiful and unusual handcrafted presents, at reasonable prices to fit my budget and satisfy my desire to find gifts that are appropriate, practical, special and/or unique.  A woodturner ’s pizza cutter is now tucked away for a close friend who makes gourmet pizzas.  A tiny wooden Santa waits his turn to join a friend’s collection.  Three pairs of plush mittens will soon adorn the hands of my daughters, keeping the winter cold at bay.

I love the fact that these items were not made in an overseas factory by anonymous workers, but by someone I’ve had the opportunity and privilege to meet.  I also try to find gifts in shops in my town. “Shopping local” gives support and compensation for members of my community as well, whether it’s my town or artists community. 

The New Leaf store in Laconia, New Hampshire features products from local artists.

I always ask family members to give me some ideas of what they need or wish themselves.  This practice doesn’t take away the spontaneity of my shopping, but ensures one of my presents will be something practical.  In past years, my herbalist daughter who has an organic garden, has wished for a gift certificate to an organic/heirloom seed catalogue.  A son-in-law, an avid mountain biker, looks forward to a subscription to a magazine devoted to the sport. Having a focus helps ensure that the gifts I give will be of practical value.  It helps to keep my budget under some constraints; and I know they will be appreciated.

Starting as early as I do, it takes away the burden on the budget that holiday shopping used to do. But there is  one drawback to the practice of buying ahead. It’s become another family” tradition” as I purchase and “stash” these presents throughout show season (May to December), I inadvertently always misplace one, two, or more.  My children know that inevitably, there will be a “found” gift given weeks after the holiday has passed. A classic memory that still elicits laughter, is about the mittens I found one year in June.  

Everyone’s family has their own way of celebrating the holidays.  When we join together as a family, depending on everyone’s schedule. It’s not always on Christmas Day. But the rituals and traditions continue as they always have.When it is time to open gifts, we take the time to open them one at a time.  It’s not a madhouse with a flurry of ripped paper and shouts of appreciation, but an opportunity to reflect on the recipient and the heart and thought that went into each gift.  It takes longer this way, but the spirit of giving is celebrated and the time together creates a gift in itself, new memories to be treasured.   What traditions to you treasure the most?

Decorating a tree for the birds has become a new and treasured tradition.