What To Do If You Don’t Really Like a Handmade Gift

This is the final installment of the handmade gifts series where we’ll deal with that awkward scenario where you really don’t like the gift you’ve been given! Not liking a handmade gift isn’t the end of the world, just remember to keep the following things in mind…

1. Say thank you anyway

It should always be your first reaction to any gift, but just in case you forgot, say “Thank you”! And you know what? Even if you have already said thank you once, it definitely can’t hurt to say it again!

2. Remember its the thought that counts

Sometimes remembering why we should appreciate handmade gifts helps us to remember that it’s the thought that counts. The time, energy, thought, and creativity that have been put in are all worth something, and are as much a part of the gift as the item itself. Spend a bit of time remembering that those things are all part of the gift, and things won’t seem so bad!

3. Put yourself in their shoes

Have a think about WHY they might have made this for you. Can this give you some sort of valuable insight into who you appear to be to others. Also, perhaps you can think of other circumstances around the gift. Is the gift not in a colour you like? Maybe that colour means something to them, or has special significance?

4. Think of an alternate use for the gift

So you don’t like tea, and you got given a handmade clay teacup. Not a problem! Maybe you can use it as a coin collector, for special hot chocolates, or even for storing buttons! There’s (hardly) ever just ONE use for something. Try to get a bit creative and see if there’s a way you can ‘up’ or ‘re’ cycle it into something you will use more often!

*** Note: I’m not recommending that you ALTER the gift you’ve been given, just find a different purpose. People might get offended if you ‘recycle’ the painting you gave them by painting your own over the top! ***

5. Forge a better friendship with them so they know what you Like or next time!

No one’s saying that this person isn’t a good friend because they don’t know what you like, but friendships can always be improved! Try to spend some time with them doing things you enjoy, or lend them something you really love. Next time you’re getting a gift they might have a better idea of what you do and don’t like.

Tags: handmade, handmade gifts, series

A Personalised Embroidered Wedding Gift

Marcus and Emma’s wedding on the weekend was beautiful. I’m still on a high from having all my Gibson cousins together, and seeing two people in love get married. Marriage is such an awesome gift, hey!?

I thought I’d take a moment to show you what I made for them as a wedding gift. I embroidered this saying, and then included their names and the date of their wedding below. What do you think?

The saying is “Home is wherever you are…”. It’s meant to be like a husband saying to a wife “Home is wherever YOU are”, but in hindsight it just reads like home is wherever you happen to be at the time… :-/

But anyway, I thought their names and the date was a nice touch. The fabric is glued around the back so this can just hang on the wall ‘as is’! We gave it to them with some of those cool thick white letters (an “M” “&” and “E” for Marcus and Emma).

I also quickly put together a little card. This type of card is seriously SUPER easy and you can do it in so many shapes for so many different occasions. As this was a wedding I just used a hot glue gun to make the heart shape and stuck the red buttons in. I dusted it with glitter afterwards, which stuck to the bits of glue that were showing. Easy peasy!

I’d love to know what sort of handmade gifts you’ve made for a wedding. Let me know in the comments!

Tags: button, embroidery, gibson, handmade, marcus&emma, wedding

How To Appreciate Handmade Gifts

Now that you know why you should appreciate handmade gifts here are a few rips on HOW to appreciate those gifts.

1 Say “thank you”

It seems pretty basic, but it really is the most important thing to remember. A sincere thank you will show that you appreciate the time, thought and effort gone into the gift.

2 Use and Display it

Nothing beats going round to a friend’s house and they’ve got your piece of art/craft on their wall. Even if you only put it up for a short while, it’s important to give it a go!

3 Show it off/recommend their talent!

Similar to the above point- you’re over at someone’s place for dinner and you mention to everyone, “Did you see the place mats JoJo made me for my birthday?” if JoJo is there then she’s super embarrassed (in a good way!), and if she’s not then who knows, your appreciation might be passed along the grapevine!

4 Make something for them

People who like making handmade gifts usually like receiving then too so have a go yourself at making something. At the very least you’ll have a new appreciation for the effort they’ve put in!

5 Smile

A big smile when you first receive the gift says it all. You really do like it. Don’t forget to smile!

Tags: handmade, handmade gifts, series