A homemade gift carries the joy of its creation as part of its very makeup. In fine art, in crafts, in food, we value what is hand-made over its commercial counterpart because the creator continues to live inside the creation.
What do you treasure because of who made it?
A picture my sister painted when she was a young girl. I have been meaning to ask her grown children if one of them might want it, and maybe it’s time I passed this valuable gift on.
I have this little doll made from a child’s sock, made by my great-grandmother. She was the only great-grandparent I knew, and she died when I was 10. She was a very resourceful woman, and apparently could turn anything into a toy. Like Santa meets McGyver.
In her later life, my Mom became an accomplished weaver. I had given her a small table loom and then she studied weaving at the Chicago Art Institute. Using a larger loom later, she produced some lovely pieces. My own favorites are a set of six cotton “Log Cabin” pattern place mats. I have used them, washed then and they are still beautiful and full of memories for me to enjoy.