apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I've pretty much committed myself to a handmade/locally-made Christmas; everyone is getting gifts made by me, with the exception of a few items that I can't make (like locally made organic beer, etc.). While I'm thrilled about it (I love creating/giving!), I have to admit that I'm a little worried: while my boyfriend knows he's getting handmade gifts and seems excited about it, I can't help but think that since he has a larger income, he'll splurge on something big for me, leaving me feeling incompetent or something. I think that a lot of people have the conception that handmade means cheap, but considering the cost of supplies, I'm actually splurging on materials myself.

Either way, I'm thrilled for the Bizarre Bazaar in Boston this weekend ! Then I can load up on handmade goodness.

unless i know the recipient actually needs some thing, i try to give consumables--candy, wine, other goodies--so that they can enjoy the gift and not be stuck with more clutter.

I'm in the same boat. I cannot think of anything I want AND need for Christmas, except maybe a garlic press. I'm so tempted to tell my family to give money to the Humane Society instead, but this would offend them, since they equate gift-giving with love.

On the other hand, I think the holidays are times to give little luxuries the person will really enjoy: a cashmere scarf, a pair of beautiful earrings, a box of Godiva chocolates. Last year I bought Godiva chocolates for everyone, since my family members are all bonkers for chocolate but don't buy Godiva chocolates for themselves.

Damova's right...consumables are the key. This year I'll probably go a similar route and make truffles/candied orange peels for everyone, or if I buy stuff I'll buy it from Etsy.

MMadden--I like the little luxury aspect, too--but I save that for birthdays, when it will make the person feel even more special. And my family also equates gifts with love. I've tried for the past 10 years to get them to donate to Students for a Free Tibet or PETA or really ANYTHING, and they just refuse. They say, "Oh, I can't do that. That's not a real gift." I guess they think the gift is for me, not those in need! The only way I have gotten around this is to ask for money and then I donate it myself.

I have found another good answer: give vouchers for activities such as spa days or massages or manis and pedis - especially good for people who don't normally pamper themselves - and it doesn't generate more useless items to store

I've been giving handmade gifts for the last few years. I took up knitting again after I finished grad school and made my family warm, simple gifts. I felt like a scrooge at first when I insisted that I really didn't need anything and wouldn't be bringing home a box of junk, but after a few years they finally got it. Everyone in my family has everything they need and it's no use "surprising" the others when we all have pretty specific taste.

It started just with me, but over the last few years we've all changed how we shop for Christmas. My mom and aunt bought each other matching goats on heifer.org this year, which really tickled me! Goats! I love it...

Hey, you should learn to enjoy the Christmas spirit, they are making you presents because they love you, that's the beauty of it. We don't all have perfect houses but we can always make this compromise for the ones we love. I always turn into a child when we talk about Christmas, this year I got myself a gorgeous artificial Christmas tree, and I am really happy about it.