Question of the Week #72

The holiday season is officially started and Nanowrimo is in full swing in our house which is making it a very busy November. I am posting this on the fly as I have the car today and have to make an early run to town for errands and some crafty supplies for the holidays :) The first Monday in November is one of my few favorite Mondays but this is why it is my favorite Monday of the year: Crafty Supplies! Holiday kickoff! Nano-supply stock up (discounted Halloween candy, quality coffee and tea, decadent creamers, cocoa and did I mention discounted Halloween candy??? LOL) YAY!!!

I made an announcement almost a decade ago at one of our very large family gatherings and told my family that from that time on any gifts that came from me and my immediate family would either be handmade, vintage or strictly hobby oriented and personalized for the individual intended. Handmade by me or other artists and/or other family members or vintage. The only new items I (or my immediate family) would purchase for others would be "hobby oriented" for example: there are several serious rock hounds in our large tribe and lapidary tools and supplies most often (as in many other hobbies) need to be purchased new. OR... I would just buy socks and underwear for everyone, no exceptions.

This announcement sparked a major discussion about gifts in general and the end result was that it marked a change in the way my large family gives and receives gifts and makes our holidays even more enjoyable. If someone gives me a gift, no matter how small or generic or rushed it might seem to someone else, first and foremost I am touched that someone took the time to think of me at all and give me something. The feelings I have when someone gives me a handmade gift are overwhelming, I am so touched that someone not only gave me a gift, they labored over it and literally made it with me in mind and it is one of a kind :)

So when it comes to giving (and receiving) gifts during the holidays and year round do you buy gifts for some and make gifts for others or do you stick to just buying gifts or only giving handmade gifts? And which do you prefer to receive? Handmade or new/retail? Or both?

OK, I'm off and running...gotta go get my crafty holiday supplies and other fun junk!!

Happy Monday to all :)

Looking forward to hearing your answers!

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