Welcome to our Seventh day of
FABULOUS
Holiday Giveaways!
Today we are featuring:
Ashley of Lil Blue Boo
Earth Angel’s Toys
Matilda Jane
&
Trish Preston
Two Peas in a Pod Home Grown Designs
~
Ashley of Lil Blue Boo
Lil Blue Boo is all about encouraging others to find their creative streak. I love sewing, silk screening, painting, photography, journaling, and power tools. I have a serious obsession for color, fabric and trinkets. Lil Blue Boo sewing patterns grew out of a love of new and reclaimed knits. Lil Blue Boo clothing is an eclectic mix of original hand cut silk screens, vintage finds, recycled fabrics, and comfortable style. I love coming up with unique one-of-a-kind and limited edition knit clothing for adults and children and I love sharing the process with others. I write daily for Babble.com’s The New Home Ec on a variety of DIY projects.
I recently have had some crazy curveballs thrown at me that have made me consciously decide to “choose joy” as a way of life. I’ve chosen to write publicly about loss, and the nitty gritty of unexpected surgery and chemotherapy in hopes that my experiences will help others. You can read more about all of this here.
I am married to the most wonderfully supportive hard-working husband who just happens to be my best friend. We met in college in 1997 and dated until 2001 when we were married. He also happens to be the best father in the world. My husband, daughter and I have lived in Palm Desert, CA since 2006.
Please visit me at
Blog: www.lilblueboo.com
Shop: http://shop.lilblueboo.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/lilblueboo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LilBlueBoo
~
Ashely is giving away her entire collection of PDF patterns … WOW!
You can view them HERE
*We’re praying for you Ashley!
Earth Angel’s Toys
I am Jen O’Connor and welcome to my shop! I Love Art, Adore the Handmade and Treasure the Vintage. I am the Passionate Decorator (the Fun Mom and the Silly Friend, too!) who makes room for beauty in the everyday. I started my business in 2000 to share what I love and it’s been a wonderful ride since then! I seek out the best there is to offer in Folk Art, Accessories and Décor and select handmade items to present to my customers. I feature original art created by talented contemporary female artists. Offerings include paintings, jewelry, paper follies, folk art, whimsies, pottery, soft sculpture and heirloom toys; these are the things I collect and celebrate in my home and personal style. there’s always something fresh from the artists’ studios and my forays into the field, and new items are added weekly.
Please browse the site for ideas and inspiration.
Read my BLOG to share my artful adventures, and learn more about what’s going on with the art and artists’ here at Earth Angels.
Follow me on Facebook —
Follow the biz on Facebook
Get my tweets via Twitter
Catch my events and the “Art Girls’ RoadShow”
~
Earth Angel’s Toys is giving away this beautiful gift!
Pearls of Wisdom wrought with care by “At-Choo”. A wee scroll accompanies a small bottle filled with Baroque pearls, about 3-4² tall, bottles vary due to age and one of a kind nature making them extra special … A favorite of Earth Angels founder & owner, Jen O’Connor who is happy to share as a giveaway.
About the artist:
Elaine Seamans’ “AT-CHOO” wearable and ornamental designs are utterly delightful; they have the rare quality of subtle elegance and ultimate whimsy …they are lovely, genuine and very much a tribute to her own beautiful outlook on the world, her spirituality, her compassion, her belief in magic and her passion for animals. I have loved her work for some time and have sold her creations off and on over the years… so I am thrilled to have a spot for her on the on-line gallery.
Please visit her gallery at Earth Angel’s Toys HERE
Matilda Jane
ABOUT MATILDA JANE
I wish I had a great story, but I really don’t. It is quite simple actually. One day a friend of mine said I should make clothing so I did. I’m a bit of a risk taker.
Afterall, what is the worst thing that could happen?
I wish I could say I started because I could not find any cute clothes for my kids, but surely that is not a problem. The world is filled with talented designers. Afterall, someone has to dress my two darling boys ‘cuz Matilda Jane isn’t looking good on boys lately! I wish I could say I am a “designer.” I pretty much consider myself just a girl who can’t stop her brain from spinning. It is crazy. I just get an idea and go with it. Inspiration? I am not sure, it just happens. You know, wake up in the middle of the night and “Whoa, I have a great idea!” It just happens. The one thing I do not have to wish for is a great family and group of friends. These guys are what makes Matilda Jane rock. They have followed me from what was a “crazy idea” to where we are now. They are loyal and well-loved. They are also very patient for putting up with me and my ventures that I pursue on a whim. Oh, I do love them all.
Please visit:
http://www.matildajaneclothing.com
Sign up for our newsletter (so you won’t miss a THING!) http://www.matildajaneclothing.com/newsletter.php
and Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Matilda-Jane-Clothing/
~
Matilda Jane is giving back this season by sending our winner 3 dresses in 3 different sizes.
You keep the one that fits the child in your life, then give the other two away!
Isn’t that great!
*They won’t be taking any custom orders for size or style and they’re not refundable, but I promise you will love them!
Trish Preston~Two Peas in a Pod Homegrown Designs
Two Peas in a Pod is a name derived from our very own “two peas”. I’ve been blessed with adorable identical twin girls and we even added a little “sprout” to our garden recently, our third daughter.
Homegrown Designs is all about where we are, how we view the world, what we believe in. Buying local. Caring for the environment. Sustainability. Homegrown is what my husband, the “gardener”, does for our family – provides us with amazing food from his garden on our “ranchette”. He has taught our children how to plant and care for the garden since they were big enough to walk to the garden on their own. And he has given them an appreciation for where our food comes from – farm to the table.
The gardener is also a career Park Ranger at a park whose ridgeline I can see from my kitchen window. My career background is in park law enforcement as well. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Environment and Natural Resources and have had the pleasure of working as Park Officer / Ranger for the National Park Service, State parks and several municipal park agencies. In addition to that, I served as Deputy Sheriff. Retired from law enforcement after 12 years, now I work at one of the best public universities in the country in student services helping others pursue their dreams of “green careers”.
In addition to my full time Mom gig, my part time university job – I find time to run my Two Peas in a Pod Homegrown Designs business. Growing up in a family of artists from painters to sculptors, it’s something I feel like I was born with and something I find comfort in – like a warm blanket on a cold night, it makes me so cozy when I can design, draw, paint and sew.
I’d love to hear from you – drop me a line at twopeasinapoddesigns at gmail dot com.
xoxo, Trish
Please visit:
Facebook.com/twopeas
Twitter: trishpreston
Website: twopeasinapoddesigns.com
Shop: twopeasinapoddesigns.etsy.com
~
Trish is giving away a seat in her new online Tie Front Tote class,
http://twopeasinapoddesigns.com/2011/10/tie-front-tote-class/
Plus a $60 shop credit to anything in her store!
Not only that, Trish is offering 3 more seats to three additional commenters!
*I will draw these after the winner has been picked.
WOW!
All you need to do to enter to win all FOUR of these prizes is comment below with your answer to this question …
What was your favorite holiday gift you’ve given and why?
Thanks so much to our FOUR FABULOUS artists!
~We’ll see you tomorrow~
The best gift I’ve given is the DSLR camera I gave to my partner last year. He had been looking at them for a long time, so I splurged and bought one. He has enjoyed it so much, and made so many wonderful pictures!
My Dad is very difficult to buy gifts for. He always tells me to save my money and just give him a card and tell him I love him. I find it sweet, but I always want to find the perfect gift for him regardless. He has been having a variety of health issues and surgeries the past 4 years…we have almost lost him a few times and its been quite a hard time on him mentally and physically. His favorite thing is apple pie and my mom is a very good baker but for some reason, she seldom makes him apple pie! Two Christmas’s ago, I spent two days making him a dozen apple pies – the first day was spent making the dough and the second day was preparing a lot of apples and assembling the pies. I packaged and froze the pies for them to take home with them (they live about 350 miles away). My dad loved the pies but felt so special to know I baked them especially for him. He told me it was the “most perfect gift”. And he would call me or send me an email each time he pulled one of those pies out of the freezer to bake. A very simple gift but one that was packed with love.
Several years ago a friend asked me to take her children’s dollhouse – they were now grown and reinvent it for her house. Her parents had made if for her children and she didn’t want it to be unused, she wanted to display it in her house. So I cleaned it up, repaired it and painted flowers, trees, bushes, hummingbirds and wrens on it. I surprised her by adding her dog and cat also. When I took it over to her home for Christmas her parents where there. I was so touched by their reaction. They both cried!?? I cried! There is nothing better than getting an good emotional response to something you have created..or recreated. I loved this! I was really touched that they did too! Sarah
My favorite gift of all time is when my 4 year old son gave me dish soap from the dollar store. I love that gift because he really thought about what I needed and it was so cute to see him excited for me to open it! :)
that is adorable!
I love finding toys for our grown-up siblings… something silly and fun that they probably wouldn’t think to buy for themselves. One year I found palm sized squeezie things that popped a single foam dart… they launched far and fast. I gave one to each adult, and we waged a laugh riot battle all night long! Any gift that brings out play and laughter, at any age, that’s for me, and sharing is my favorite!
It was not a gift exactly.My sis in law had a baby 2 days before christmas and had no tree .I went and bought a tree and some ornaments and put it up for her.The look on her face when she realized that there was a tree was priceless.That was 17 years ago and i still remember it.
The best gift I have ever received was our first son, born Christmas 1998!
As crazy as it sounds, my most favorite gift I gave was to my husband. It was a pair of snowmobile boots. His reaction to his gift was classic 10 year old boy getting his Christmas wish come true. It really wasn’t about the gift itself for me but the look of shear joy on his face!
The best gift ever was the t-shirt quilt I made my husband out of Harley t-shirts. He had gone through his t shirts and got together a bunch that did not fit any more, I was suppose to give them to Goodwill, but instead decided to try and make a quilt out of them. It really was going to be a birthday present (his birthday is in August), but it took longer than I thought it would to make. It was fun to make and he was so surprised.
I think my favorite Christmas gift that I’ve ever given was an afghan that I crocheted for my Grandma. I was probably about 12 years old, and fairly new to crocheting, so I’m sure that it wasn’t “perfect”, but she so loved it, and was SO proud of it… which made me feel SOOO special! For as long as she lived, that afghan was proudly displayed across the back of her couch, and every time I saw it, it made me feel very proud! :-)
my daughter a charm that I saved for her since before she was born and adopted as my very own……. the symbol was good luck and love….
There are so many it is hard to decide! When my husband and I were first engaged I gave him a glass heart ornament for Christmas. Now, we still hang it on our tree and it is such a reminder of that exciting time of anticipation.
I love to shre my love of nutcrackers by tying small nutcrackers into the bows of gifts..
My favorite gift, which I have not yet given…. is a necklace. This necklace is no ordinary piece of jewelry though. I bought it from Amazima.org, a ministry helping women in Uganda support their children by giving them a job making these BEAUTIFUL necklaces. Without these jobs, these women would be forced to subject themselves to prostitution, or simply not providing for their hungry babies. The best gift for someone in my book is something homemade (in this case not be me) that has a special meaning or blesses another of God’s children. Truly inspiring and I hope everyone will check out her website and buy one for those “White elephant” parties this year. God bless!
When I was very young I went to the store and bought my mom a ceramic bank that said “Coffee” on one side and “Vodka” on the other side. She laughed all day. And, she still has it! (I, obviously, had no idea what Vodka was . . . )
best gift i ever gave? i am really, really excited to give my parents each a quilt this year… i’ve only made six quilts before, so to make one for each of them is a big deal. my mom LOVES quilts, and for whatever reason, doesn’t have any…
The favorite gift I given is a star to my husband. He loves the star-filled night sky and now he knows up there, there is a star named after him. His joy at receiving it overflowed to me.
I’ve given so many, but my favorite holiday gifts are the ones I make for my kids and friends. I just started quilting about 4 years ago and have made some of my kids quilts for Christmas and they really like when I make them something. This year will be exciting because I’ve made all my boys quilts and my 8 year old daughter is feeling left out because I haven’t made one for her bed yet, but I did earlier in the year and I’m giving it too her for Christmas. It’s made with Strawberry Shortcake fabric. Can’t wait for her to open it.
My favorite gift I’ve given has been the past 2 years when I’ve given my Dad something priceless. I asked his brothers & sisters to write a letter about memories they have of my Dad as a kid, why they’re thankful he’s their brother, etc. Then I printed those up on nice paper, rolled them up, and put them in his stocking. He was so touched by their words and that’s something he can save & cherish for years to come. Then last year I did the same thing and had people that he works with write a letter. This year I am having kids that he teaches early morning seminary at our church write him a letter. Thanks!
The favorite holiday gift I’ve given is a rustic wood loveseat to my parents. My husband and I had such fun making it together and my mother loves it. When I see it in her house …. 15 years later now I remember spending the time together with my husband making it.
We gave some friends a Dave Ramsey course. We were hesitant to do so but felt prompted to do it. They attended the course and tell us how thankful they are to have learned ways to manage their money and to be on their way to becoming debt free. I’m glad we were able to give them a gift that will benefit them forever. Having gone through the course ourselves and becoming debt free, we are able to encourage them along.
My favorite gift given was when I took my mother-in-laws old, falling apart family album and transformed it in to an updated coffee table album that she could enjoy. She isn’t an openly emotional person usually and it made her cry so I knew I had done good! :)
Thanks for another GREAT giveaway!
Last year, we moved to a new city, but left my son behind to finish his last year of high school. I left him with my loving friend, Robin, who has 9 kids of her own. For Christmas, I made her a quilt from favorite vintage sheets, and embroidered each of her kid’s names in the blocks, plus my son’s as well. She teared up when she saw it. My favorite gift giving ever!
That’s easy, a Christmas quilt!
My favorite gift was a Bench jacket that I found on an incredible sale. I gave it to a friend who had a very rough year without a job and he still talks about that jacket. It warms my heart that he loves it so much. Though now I am working on a gift that will hopefully be the same for my sister!
My favorite gift is my kids first year blanket- each of them recieved a handmade blanket when they were one, it’s a favorite and they sleep with their blanket every night.
The gift that comes to mind is a portrait my sisters and I had taken and gave to my parents. One of my sisters lived in another state at that time. We had it taken when she came home in the fall for a visit. She came home for Christmas, but not until Christmas Eve. We had copies made for our extended family members and had to sneak them to them during the family party on Christmas Eve. Finally, my sister arrived (after all of the family had left) and we gave the portrait to my parents shortly after. It’s one of the few times I saw my dad choke up.
My favorite is the Quiet Book that I’m making for my toddler this year. It’s definitely “handmade with love!” j-j-s AT juno DOT com
I don’t remember what we wrapped up under the tree that year, but my favorite gift to my parents was the year we brought our almost one year old daughter to celebrate Christmas together. We had seen very little of each other since she was born, as we were living in different states. It was such a thrill to see their joy in getting to know her and her discovering these wonderful folks who loved her so!
Photos my husband and I had taken .
My favorite gift ever was a 35mm camera when I was 16. In the box was a wide angle lens, huge zoom lens, case, tripod, and loads of film. thank you dad & mom
I gave my husband a water color painting of his (other) love, Sally, by Rachel Rossman. He was actually speechless. Sally is his 13 yo constant companion. He said that receiving art takes gift giving and receiving to a whole~other level.
Some really great prizes today! Thank you!
15 years ago my father was terminally ill and for Christmas my siblings and I gave him a huge photo of us all with our partners and children – it meant the world to him
I believe the favorite gift I’ve given was a Christmas party at the Veterans Home in Fayetteville, AR. The party included handmade Christmas trees from pinecones that I helped a group of young girls make and having them go with me and singing Christmas carols to the Vets at the home. The expressions on their faces of the Veterans was priceless and we put one of the tiny pinecone trees in every window of everyone of their rooms. They just enjoyed it so much.
Wow that is a tough one. I’d have to say It would be that I came to stay with my parents one year while my husband was stationed overseas. I was very pregnant with my 1st child, and needed my mommy to be there with me. I was in labor and of course during the holidays I missed my husband and was mad at him for not being there with me during her birth. I was in the delivery room, and decided at the last moment to ask my mom to come in. She had already given birth to 7 children of her own, and she said it was a great gift to her to SEE her grandchid come into the world..
The best holiday gift I gave were two tickets to a Boston Celtics game. But the story of them is the best part. I gave them to my new boyfriend at the time (now he is my husband and father of my kids). I wanted to disguise them so I put them in a shoebox with a can of cream corn (his favorite veggie). He was rather confused when he opened a can of corn. Once he saw the tickets he was so excited. He was even more excited when he saw they were for April. He knew then that we would be together for a long time. That was 17yrs ago!
Candy canes when I was little because I loved giving candy. ;)
I would have to say that my most favourite Holiday gift that I have given was a gift to my oldest daughter. She is 19 now and has always loved the novel “Alice in Wonderland”. I searched throughout the year for different Alice books to add to her collection and found quite a few older editions. She was thrilled. She now owns over 30 different ones and is always looking for more to add to her collection.
Two years ago I made Christmas photo albums of past Christmas memories for my mother and two sisters. I loved reliving those times with them as we looked at them together.
The most favorite gift I have given was a puppy to my mother!
We gave our Dad a new camera and he was so thrilled. And has since taken many creative and beautiful photos. I think there is an artistic side to him that he has never explored before.
Susan says…
My favorite holiday gift that I have given for Christmas was to my mother…her favorite perfume, because she was always giving (in so many ways) to my sister, brother and myself. She always put others needs and wants first.
The best gift is a book that I created online which contains photos that I took during the year. It was given to close friends and family and they all loved it. I love to give DIY and handmade gifts.
I gave my MIL seatbelt extenders. She would never wear hers bc she said they were uncomfortable and my children always asked her why she didn’t wear hers. Which made her feel guilty. The best thing was that the extenders were free. She really appreciated them. Odd gift, I know. But it’s about saving a life.
I like to give anonymous gifts, especially with the economy the way it is, I like to give gifts of gift grocery cards, Dream Dinners gift cards, donations to churches I don’t even belong to, or groups that I know will use it in their communities. Sometimes I provide gifts to a family adopted by a church or my son’s school. I believe these are the types of gifts that keep on giving. I do this because we had people in our lives that did the same for our family in the past.
three years in a row I got my husband a little remote control helicopter… he is such a child at heart… and the silly things never lasted very long without breaking :)
One year I gave 5 my older brother 5 kilo of wheat flower. He loves to bake =)
My favorite gift was a doll that I could dye her hair different colors….and I remember getting plastic, yes I said plastic wigs oh I wish I still had them!
Oh I was so excited I READ IT WRONG! The best gift I have ever given was some money to a friend who had none that year…it felt oh so good to give!
Handmade gifts are my favorite to give. One year, I made my mom a quilt in anticipation of her first grandchild. I included a letter from her grandchild that said he couldn’t wait to meet her and snuggle with her under this labor of love quilt.
My favorite gifts to give or receive are homemade and specific to the individual the gift is being given. I especially love gifts that incorporate pictures. A gift I created for my father was a photo memory box with pictures of my grandmother and my father only. My grandmother died at a young age and it was very hard on my father.
my favorite gift i’ve given… giant monkeys i gave my neices… really, they were bigger than the girls were!!! i’m sure their parents were thrilled, i don’t even know how they got the kids and the monkeys all in the car to go home!!!
My favourite gift I’ve given was a handmade quilt :)
ourbusylittlebunch(at)hotmail(dot)com
I wanted to be a grandma for years and years. My daughter and son-in-law weren’t moving as quickly as I’d have liked and I’d practically given up hope. I was so surprised when I opened a beautifully wrapped package with an invitation to come with them to the ultrasound. So precious.
This year I decided to make every present I give. I made all my nieces shirt and pant sets (inspired by and with a template on the Lil Blue Boo website). They’ve had a hard year so far so I hope that it will bring out their beautiful smiles and their sweet laughs. I can’t wait to give them!
Wooops. I see it was supposed to be GIVEN… Years ago my daughter’s favorite antique mirror fell off the wall and broke. Several weeks after that their new kitten did a little destruction on a china shelf. I took all the bits and recreated a new art piece for them. I built a frame put the remaining mirror in the center and “tiled” the broken china around the edges. She loved it.
The gift that I gave that was my favorite turned into a holiday tradition…a scrapbook calendar for my Grandmother. She was generous to a fault with her family, especially at Christmas, but she would always say she didn’t need anything and that she just wanted to see everyone. My two boys were her only great-grandchildren and she called them her “Peanuts.” But we lived far enough away that she did not get to see them very often. So one Christmas, I made her a scrapbook calendar so that she could have more pictures of them(using funny & cute pictures rather than the formal school portraits). She absolutely loved it & it made me feel so wonderful that I had “found” the perfect gift to give her! She received a new calendar every year after that, and it gave me just as much joy to make it as she had in receiving it!
My favorite holiday gift was given to my mom. I quilted a table runner with several images of my late grandmother’s recipes transferred on it. My mom teared up when she saw the recipes in her mother’s handwriting.
My mother had never had a set of china. A friend knew of a set being sold at a relative’s estate sale. I managed to buy the set before the sale at an amazing, dirt cheap price! My sister’s and I gave the set to our mother for Christmas one year. She was so excited! It’s my favorite, because we all got to share in giving such a “lavish” gift to our mother that we would never have been able to afford otherwise.
However, I just have to add in that there is nothing like watching the excitement of my children when they come down the stairs on Christmas morning!
A few years ago I created a photo book for my mother and father in law telling the story of our trip to Poland to visit my mother in laws family home. It was a very special trip the photo book was the perfect gift for them…..a way for them to remember the trip and to share the experience with others. They both cried when they opened it.
Last year I made a quilt for my husband. He is a truck driver and spends 5-6 nights a week sleeping in his truck. I made it out of his favorite colors-Black and Red, and material with flames and guitars. He tells me it is his favorite gift he ever received!
Oh I have no idea! I like giving personal presents. Photos, albums, etc. … But maybe last year would stick out as we gave my then 11 yr old cousin a book of poetry & she sat with my sister & read them all to her. It was great & I’m glad that was a hit as she normally gets toys.
I was really excited to give my brother a memory foam pillow, since I thought it was the most comfortable pillow I had ever owned.
My favorite gift that I’ve given has to be the pillowcases I made for my girls last year. Money was very tight, so I decided to dive into my fabric stash to see what I could find to make. I found some flannel horse fabric and the cases came together in all of 20 minutes. Now they won’t go to sleep without their pillows. I think they might even be more important than those snuggly stuffies! That makes me feel pretty great – even the simplest handmade item has meaning!
My favorite holiday gift given was a memory quilt to my mom to honor and cherish my grandmother’s life. She had passed away a few months before Christmas and I had a bag of her favorite clothes …. the clothes we saw her in everyday! I used almost every bit of it to make this quilt for my mom. She was, of course, a mix of emotions and absolutely loved the gift.
I once gave my niece’s family a TIVO and they were SO excited!!! It was so fun to watch them open it.
My fav Christmas gift I have given: Back when my sister had young children, rubbed two nickels together to make a quarter, but was determined to make Christmas festive and real for her small family with a live tree , homespun ornaments the kids made in school using kraft paper and spray painted noodles…I added a full circle tree circle for my sister also known as the Queen of Plaid. I collected vintage mens plaid shirts using the sleeves and pieced together triangular shapes one after another adding in embroidery and bits of lace. She will use that skirt again this year, and I love to see she still brings it out every year…..years have passed, kids have grown, but seeing how happy it makes her, pulls at my heart!
My favorite gift I have given was a mini Christmas scrapbook to each of my family members. They were decked out with tons of embellishments and every single person had the best smile in the pictures. Everyone still raves about them.
A few years ago my husband and I sponsored Christmas for a family in need at a local church. We provided Christmas dinner and gifts for their little girl. It was great! Need to do that again!
My hubby gave me a cd of music that he wrote, performed, recorded and mixed all by himself and it’s the most fantastic thing ever and something I will cherish for the rest of my life! Thanks so much for the opportunity to win so many wonderful things!
My favorite gift I’ve given was a complete scrapbook for a friend that I made with the help of her parents.
My favorite holiday gift was donating my time at a nursing home with my kids, its amazing how little ones can put a smile on someone’s face without doing anything at all.
The best gift I gave was the Wii to my son a couple years ago for Christmas. My husband and I had looked everywhere and stood in various crazy am lines and couldn’t get one. A friend who knew we we were looking spotted one that had just been put on a shelf in Walmart…called us…and stood there waiting for my hubby to arrive to purchase. The look on our son’s face Christmas morning- priceless!
I gave my husband a book filled with our first year of emails (we were long-distance daters at the time). So much fun to compile and give.
Something I have made. It’s always more personal and more appreciated than if I had gone to the store and bought something that hundreds of others will also have.
The best holiday gift that I’ve given was a silver wire and test tube bud vase that gave to my mother. More than thirty years later, she still has it in the kitchen window above the sink and puts flowers from her garden into it. That tells me that she likes it a lot!
Wow great giveaway! My favorite gift I’ve given at christmas would be gifts I have made – they are the only ones I remember giving. Last year I made these gorgeous ‘necklace’ bibs for my daughter and her cousin who is the same age. I was sooo excited to see the mom’s face when she opened it!
i made my mom a quilt with pictures of the whole family. each person had pictures from childhood to present, and my parents wedding photo in the middle.
My favorite holiday gift was Christmas 2004 when I got to spend Christmas with my then fiance and my parents together for the first and last time. 3 days later I immigrated to the States (he is American, I am German) and was never able again to spend Christmas back in Germany and he was never able to spend it with us before I moved over here.
So far my favorite gift has been the birth of my new niece! She’s precious, and a miracle baby :)
This is a difficult one because the whole fun of Christmas gift giving for me is about providing the perfect gift…. We have always lived in a different town or state than my family. My sister was a single parent with one little girl, a very sweet and special niece. This year she was a tween and a latch key one at that. So… we got a kitten and I wrapped a box so that I could easily get in and out of the box. We drove to my mom’s with that kitten, went in to eat leaving it in the car in the box with a warm blanket (not very long). We always opened gifts immediately after eating… so as they were passing out gifts my DH slipped outside and brought in Delena’s gift from us… as soon as he sat it down in front of her… out popped the kitten… if looks could kill my sister would have rendered me dead right then, lol. But she finally warmed up to the kitten, they named her “Noel” and had her for many years. Needless to say Delena was delighted the minute “Noel” made her entrance.
I’ve been working on a dvd (set to music) of videos and pictures for my mom and it’s finally finished! We live all the way across the country from my family, so every year I fly to Alabama for two full weeks. I took a lot of footage of all the siblings, grandparents and cousins and now have a sweet memory I can give her! She is so sweet to host our family of five every year. It is my favorite two weeks out of the whole year! I think she is going to love it.
My favorite gift will actually be given away this year, I have been working on a whole lot of crochet hats of all types for months now and my family and I will be taking them to the Children’s Hospital in our city this Christmas and delivering them to the children fighting cancer. My brother was diagnosed with Cancer just before Christmas last year and was in treatment and fighting the battle for this past year. His positive attitude throughout has inspired me to live life to the fullest and give a little back to those still fighting the fight!
I love giving gifts of photography. Especially when you surprise a family member with a picture that they didn’t even know existed, that captures a special moment. I love seeing their eyes light up as they remember the instance that was captured and framed for them.
When i was a little girl my mom told us about a family who wouldn’t have a Christmas and asked if we wanted to help. Each of my siblings and I picked one of our toys to give to their children. I remember thinking about whether I should give the thing I’d wanted the most, or something I cared about less. I picked my favorite thing and with a little heartache at first, gave it to my mom to give away. I imagined a little girl opening the present and being so happy. It made me feel so good. I think that was my first, “best” Christmas.
When I was working (before my 4 children) I saved and saved all year a little bit at a time to give my husband a”driving nascar school experience”. We are not “into” nascar, but he is VERY into cars, and it will be tough to beat. ever. Seeing his face when he opened it and understood what it was was priceless. He couldnt understand how we were going to pay for it. Little savings all year added up to pay it in full.
My favorite gifts are the ones I will be giving this year. I recently started sewing a lot and so this year all of my gifts are made by me! I’m going to be giving my mom a new cover for her Kitchenaid mixer. For my younger sister I’m making a super cute pencil skirt and tanktop outfit. Everyone will be getting a reusable duster (swiffer style) and those with smart phones will get gloves you don’t have to take off to use with your touch phone! I’m excited to be giving gifts that will be well-used!
The best gift I have ever given was a candle diffuser to my 85 year old Grandma. I bought it a Barneys, and it was $100, which I thought she would absolutely die if she new that I spent that much money on her for a gift. The thing is, it smells really good. And it holds the smell, and she loves it. She talks about it all of the time, that it is her favorite thing, because it makes her house smell like flowers. I think that is the joy of giving a gift. When someone appreciates it, and it makes them feel loved and special, and reminds the person of the gift giver. My grandma, lives in CA and I live in UT so I never get to see her, but gifts are supposed to bring joy and love, which this one did.
Oh that is easy. When my little sister (who is now 26) was a teenager I tried to teach her how to make a quilt. We started with the Quilt in a Day log cabin pattern since it is so easy. She chose red and green and decided halfway through she did not like quilting. So one year I sneaked into her room and stole the fabric and blocks that she had finished. I had to add to the fabric because she had used some of it to make other things but I finished the quilt for her. I gave it to her at Christmas and it literally brought tears to her eyes. I put a quilt label on it that said made by Megan and finished by Laura and the years that it was started and finished. She still has it on her bed and it is well loved. Definitely the best Christmas present I have ever given.
Any gift that I’ve ever given my grandmother :)
Yankee Swaps have always been a heated, exciting time in my family’s Christmas gatherings. Specifically, my Aunt Susan and I always seem to be interested in the same gift- that’s when it all starts! In November of 2007, my Aunt Susan lost her daughter, my cousin, Katie- who had Down Syndrome. Katie was 17. That Christmas, we hosted the family gathering at our house and I rigged the Yankee Swap so that my Aunt would get the last number. With each present that was opened, she would declare her love for it and would inform the recipent that they shouldn’t get too attached. When it came time to open the last gift, my Aunt had no idea what she was about receive. I had had my cousin’s picture laser etched onto a piece of gray marble with Psalm 127:3 Children are a gift from the LORD also etched. She was overwhelmed with emotion- as was everyone else in the room.
I love to give gifts, so this is very hard. I like to fill baskets or fun boxes with themed gifts – fabrics, thread, book for a new quilter, paints & paper for a watercolorist. My favorite is the first year I began the Christmas box tradition for my sister. She creates with paper and mixed media. I found a box that copy paper comes in and filled it through the year with items from garage sales, found items, and supplies for her craft. The look on her face was priceless. She took her box into work to show her pals. I was over the moon happy.
Well, every year birthdays and Christmas I always make gifts for my loved ones. I started out with shadow boxes for all my siblings with sentimental pictures, belongings and quotes, Then moved onto scrapbook collages and calenders. I have done some paintings and painted birdhouses…Last year I made lotion and chap stick which was a lot of fun! This year is my favorite, It is something I have wanted to do for a while, I have a beautiful quilt that was made from my Grandmother and her 5 sisters dresses when they were little. It is beautiful shades of pinks, purples and greenish blue. I have divided it into 4 sections and am still in the process of putting it in a variety of in the panes of an old window for one of my sisters, and the rest for my 3 nieces I am making each a big frame with cute coat hooks on the bottom for each one. Also still currently working on for another sister using my Dad’s old marine clothes, bags, and patches, a quilt, and recovering her hope chest that was a graduation present with the scraps from the clothes and patches for the seat on the top. He passed away 8 years ago and she has had all of his stuff just tucked away. Also a couple of years ago for Christmas I made my daughter a large doll house using a bookshelf that my Great Grandfather had made from the wood from their bed! The wood has some great carved details in it and hated all of it being covered up with books. SHe still loves it and it will be something that will be able to be passed to her children hopefully! I hate just giving gifts just to give them, I have a real problem with that, Everything I give has a meaningful purpose to it. So not sure if it counts because it’s not Christmas yet and they haven’t’ received it yet but the sentimental repurposed quilts are my favorite,oh and the dollhouse :) Check out my blog after Christmas I will post pics :)
Also I just want to add, some of my favorite gifts I have received were from my MIL, Which was a Nikon D70 and a Bernina Artista sewing machine, which is how I am able to express my artist side and love blessing others with the fruit from them :)
giving our parentsbaby toys to announce the upcoming birth of our first child
My favorite Christmas gift of all time? A recipe book from my mother. Not a purchased cookbook, but one filled with pages of her best recipes. She had typed them up on the computer, and put them in sheet protectors in a 3 ring binder. Each year at Christmas, I ask her to type a few more for me to add to my “book”. I use it often, and will keep it always!
I can not think of one paticular gift that I have given.I have given a lot of gifts through the years.I will say it would be the gifts my children and grandchildren wanted really bad that I have given them on that special Christmas morning.It is so much joy to see them happy.That is what it is all about for me-seeing them happy.Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas.
2 years ago I gave my parents and IN-laws a license plate from the state and year of their birth, in a decorative frame. Haven’t’ been able to top it, yet!
I love to give gifts to charity in someones name. This year we made a donation to ASPCA in the name of several of our friends and families who love their fur children.
I had met a woman in school(college) who taught me so much about confidence,streanth and self-caring. I had been making quilts for years, but never had the confidence to share them- I never felt they were as nice as you could buy. After knowing her for 3 yrs, I finally had the courage to give her two. She was so appreciative that I could finally show the love I felt for all those around me. And now there are MANY people staying warmer-with quilts and love.
Last year both my parents passed away unexpectedly and my sisters and I were pretty devastated. For Christmas I made charm bracelets with a wedding photo of my parents in a small locket. I made one for me too. It meant so much to be able to send this gift to my sisters, and reminds us we still have each other.
WOW! How very generous! I can’t choose just one favorite gift given. But I love making gifts and purchasing handmade gifts. Those are my favorite to give! I gave my mother a bracelet made from spoons with all the grandkids names on it, I made pillows and blankets for dolls for all the little girls we know last year. This year I am giving my mother another handmade gift, it is not made by me, but she requested more western jewelry!
I gave my mom a Spanish porcelain feria doll a few years ago. She didn’t have many dolls when she was growing up, so she has a collection now. She has fond memories of living in Spain when I was younger, and we had all of these small feria dolls. I was so excited to find a large porcelain one to give her.
My favorite gift I gave away was to my mom last Christmas. Little did I know then that it would be her last here with us, She passed away in July after 3 months of suffering with kidney cancer. The gift I gave her was a calendar of her grandchildren. They brought such joy to her life, and to watch her face light up as she paged thru, was such a priceless gift to me. Just goes to show, it really is better to give than to recieve. I will always treasure the precious gift that she gave me that year, that memory that I will hold on to forever. Thank you for the opportunity to win such a wonderful gift from your all’s giving hearts!
The best gift I have given is a framed print of a couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. She was not expecting it at all. They had no pictures of their original wedding.
Wow, that would have to be the gift of holiday wonder I have gave my children. Passing on the traditions my family had and adding a few new ones also. The magic that I have no doubt they will pass along for generations!
I think the best gift I ever gave was last year at Christmas. A good friend knew it was a tough year and she bought my son a huge Lego Star Wars set, and only said that we had to pretend like it was from either us or Santa. A true friend and the real meaning of Christmas–to put others before ourselves :)
The favorite gift I’ve given my husband is a little glass key chain I had made on Etsy with our 5mo old daughter’s photo saughtered into it. On the back is her life verse, Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you, not to harm you; to give you a hope and a future.” She is our miracle & is now almost 4. The keychain is still on his keys, even though the glass has since cracked, but he’s had valets & mechanics ask him about the scripture verse & that has been such a blessing to him. :)
I gave my daughter a new camera/mp3/videocamera combo pack for christmas, the look on her face was priceless, glad i was ready with the camera to capture the moment.
The gifts I made my little nieces this year! An apron (she’s two and runs the kitchen), a girly native headdress (because she’s also very imaginative), and for the baby…and handmade rattle. I love making my gifts!
My favorite gift I’ve been given is the handmade furniture my brother-in-law has made for me. My favorite is the hall tree/bench made from an old door.
Once again this post spurred a tie. The TWO best gifts ever given was , toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, red tabs, shoes & clothes for a group of 175 children in the remote rural area of the central Andes.
The other was a set of parabolic skies for my husband. He works so hard for us, and LOVES to ski, and had been sking on a very old set, making due with them. I would see his eyes light up when he saw the newer faster skies, but because he puts us first would not buy them for himself. So I saved for a couple of years and bought him a pair with a helmet!!!!!
It’s fun to create a joy rising in peoples lives
The best gift given was tickets to a STOMP concert. I made my husband go on a scavenger hunt to find me and then I presented him with the tickets when he showed up at the park. I even left him clues to dress nicely before he came to me. I was all dressed up, we went out to dinner and to see STOMP. It was the time spent together doing something that we both enjoy that was the best part of the gift!
I think my favorite gift to give is when we suprised my Mom with a special piece of art. She had looked at it with my Dad while in Napa and we called a week later to see if it was still there. They shipped it to the house and we had to be there (without her) to get the package. Then we had to hide it for 3 weeks before Christmas. She was truly suprised by the gift and had no idea that we had it for her. It was so fun to see her face that morning!
The best gift I have given away would have to be the scarf and beanie set to my husband last year. We embarked on a rural adventure a few years ago and together we raised sheep, shore their wool, washed, carded and spun it into yarn. So in the scarf and beanie is full of memories he wears with him several months of the year providing warmth and comfort.
A playhouse I made by hand for my children. I loved seeing how excited they were on CHristmas morning!
My favorite holiday gift I have given is a hat I hand sewed for my mother two years ago. She had just found out she had cancer and was expected to start chemotherapy shortly after Christmas. I am a horrible sewer, but I worked so hard on that hat just so she could have a fabulous hat that fit her style while she underwent treatment.
I haven’t given it yet, but this year I made my nieces some very cool (I think, anyway) totes. Hope they like them! I have two boys, so I loved making some ruffle-y, flower-y things for a change.
I believe that best gift that I have given is when my husband and I adopted a less fortunate family for Christmas. We ended up with a grandmother and her SIX grandchildren. We stuffed their home with gifts and food. As we were leaving the grandmother told the children to be sure to thank us for the HAND UP. She said, we will never take a hand-out, but we will accept these gifts as a ‘hand up’ and that when they are all in a better financial situation, they will pass along our good will. So maybe the gift was to myself… a lesson in life.
My favorite gift that I have given was a scrapbook to my grandmother. I had never done scrapbooking before but I put a lot of time into filling it. It was full of pictures of my 2 daughter from birth up to that Christmas Eve before I gave it to her. She loved it! It was so fun to make. I will now have to add pages to it this year since I had my first son 6 months ago. I like that I gave her a gift that I can add more chapters and even sequils to. My grandmother doesn’t live close by so pictures mean a lot in watching little ones grow.
Having my mom be here for one more Christmas is my best gift ever!
My favorite present ever was the beautiful porcelain doll that my mother made with white lace dress and bonnet! She was amazingly talented, and since her passing, the doll means even more to me.
The best gift i got was a white wicker vanity i got when i was about ten years old. i loved it because i have two other sisters and it gave me a place of my own!
This may sound kind of silly, but my favorite gift came from my husband on our first Christmas together (pre-marriage). He gave me a set of spurs. When I told my Dad, he asked if they were sharp. I told him “no” and he laughed. He said it meant my sweet cowboy wanted to keep me around ~~ not see me get bucked off!
My favorite Christmas gift was probably my very first iPhone. It was the first Christmas the the first iPhone was released and my husband TOTALLY surprised me. I was not expecting it at all and he really did well with that purchase :)
The favorite holiday gift I’ve given was the Angel Tree gifts at our church. Two years ago, my husband did not have a job and we have four children. My oldest wanted to give up her gifts for the Angel Tree at our church. We looked and looked at all the angels and one of the volunteers approached us about an entire family that needed gifts. She asked if we’d consider taking them. My daughter and I looked at each other and agreed that we could do it. It would mean less for my kids, but we were willing to do it.
We took the entire family, 5 children, and purchased toys, shirts, shoes, pants, underwear, and socks. We went as a family and enjoyed every minute shopping for others. We wrapped everything and took it to the church. Several weeks later, before Christmas, we were at church and one of the pastors approached me. They gave me an envelop with a check for $1000 in it. I was speechless. They told me someone in the congregation wanted to give it to us but did not want us to know who it came from. I could not believe it!
That was the best Christmas we’ve had!
made dresses for my nieces this year(haven’t given them yet). I remember my mom up late on Christmas eve sewing doll clothes for me and my sister when we were little. I want the girls to have those kind of memories, not just toys in a box.
A trip to Japan. It’s my second honeymoon. ;)
The best give I have given (and continue to give) is personalized ornaments. I know how much I love unpacking the ornaments given to me by special people throughout the years – I cherish them and the memories of the people who gave them to me. Small, inexpensive, but hopefully they spark some memories and love to those I have given them to!
I think the most wonderful gift I have given was a scrapbook of my brother and his family the year he moved to Hawaii and was not with us at Christmas time. I saved every picture they sent via email and my parents were not internet suavy so I printed them all and made a scrapbook for mom and dad. Mom cried.
As a child, my grandmother wished for a baby doll each Christmas. Being one of ten children, her parents were never able to give her the doll she wanted so much. One Christmas, actually one of her last with us, we finally gave her a precious little doll and she cried as she opened it…truly a priceless moment I’ll always remember. It seems like the simplest gestures are what matter most this time of year!
I bought my boys there first B M X bicycles,there dad & i were divorced he was suppose to pay half but did’nt. But some how i made sure they received them……the looks on there face priceless i will never forget it!!!!!!! But i believe you would do any thing for your children!!
Let me just say..I LOVE GIVING GIFTS!!!!! I love the whole process of picking something out and/or making something. I love seeing the surprise of the faces of my family and friends when it’s just what they wanted. One of my favorites would be a personalized key chain ( by The Rusted Chain ) for my husband with his initials, qualifying time for the Boston Marathon & his favorite sayings…Glory To God! He was so surprised. Fun times!!!!
Years ago I found a huge chalk ware bulldog at an antique shop to give to my sis in law that collected this type of chalk ware dogs. It was so ugly and no one but this sis in law would ever love it.
I made my mother a “Retro” style quilt last year at her request fro Christmas. It was using Heather Bailey fabrics and turned out better than I had designed. My mom constantly talks about how she loves it and uses it every day. That’s the kind of gift that you love to give – one that gets used and loved and cherished!
My favorite gift was given to me on Christmas Eve 1981. an engagement ring from my late husband. I was the happiest young woman ever that night! The beginning of a grand Love story…
My favorite gift was when my husband was in Afghanistan… I sent him a fun carepackage full of little toys (lego set, small nerf gun, etc), pictures of my daughter and I and candy for the Afghan children. He loved it. He said it was different than anything anyone else had sent, and brought him a little piece of home (as you can imagine the Holidays are a fairly depressing time when you’re deployed). I was touched because when I was putting it together I was thinking about how he might think most of the little toys were silly, but he really loved them.
Last year, my kiddos painted giant canvases for each of the grandparents. That was so much fun for them and the receivers were delighted with the handmade artwork.
For my wedding day I wanted to use my mothers wedding dress in a special way. My grandmother had sewn it for her, but the 3 of us agreed that it was hideous now! It had yellowed in spots and was just not packed away correctly 20+ years ago. So I taught myself to sew and took my mothers dress and turned it into my ring bearer pillows. I also took scrap pieces of the dress and lace and pieced them together in handkerchiefs. I had each one embroidered special for them. When they realized what it was made from and that I had taught myself to sew everything on my own…well it was priceless. For all of us!
best gift given so far was riding lessons last year to my daughter. who knew that fulfilling her wish would also provide her with her passion and the place she shines above all else?! a year later she is just beginning what i believe will be a part of the rest of her life.
My favorite gift that I have given were Feliz Dresses that I made for my nieces. They love to twirl and giggle, twirl and giggle…and the Feliz Dress is the epitome of girly twirly fun. Such fun to sew, and such fun to see their smiles when wearing them.
Happy Holidays and thank you for the opportunity at such a wonderful prize gift!
My nikon camera I got last year, I have wanted a decent camera so bad so I could take pictures of my little ones. I love it! But I would have to say this year maybe the best! I am due on the 16th with a little boy It will be so nice to bring him home for x-mas and also the fact that my father is still alive he is battling stage 4 terminal lung cancer and now brain cancer and I am so blessed he is still here especially during the holidays. He is such a wonderful man and i am blessed to have him as my father!
My favorite gift was a picture mug for my husband with our two children. It has become a yearly tradition and was even an inspiration for his 40th birthday cake!
My favorite gift I’ve ever given was actually last year. I suprised my husband with a “William Henry Pocket Knife”. Although this was a very nice gift, the best part was that I finally surprised him with something. He was almost speechless. I love this man more than he will ever know and it thrilled me to be able to give back a little something to him.
My favorite gifts to give are the stockings – We fill them with fun toys and useful objects like toothbrush, etc. I like to wrap everything individually – my kids get a kick out of this and it slows down our Christmas morning a bit to just relax and watch the kids open all these small items.
The best holiday gift I’ve given, over and over again, that is cherished the most is the gift of time.
Whether it’s time with someone, time alone so I can babysit, etc. – I’ve done it in the form of a coupon book and it’s been very well received. The coupons have all been cashed in…with a request for more the next holiday :)
Things are things, but the gift of time brings memories you can never forget.
Merry Christmas and thanks for the chance to win!
Spending time with family is what makes Christmas so special. My 3 girls and their families are spread out in other states and one is stationed in Japan, so its hard to be with everyone at the holidays. Hubby and I always travel to one of the families at Christmas. However, a few years ago, we all spent the time together. It was a wonderful day with lots of memories that will be with us forever! I do enjoy the different way each family celebrates the holidays and this year will be our first ever “white” Christmas!
This is a great giveaway and thank you to each of our designers!
The best gift I have given was a letter to my dad thanking him for all he’s done and telling him how much i appreciate and love him. My mom said it made him tear up and my dad NEVER does that. It made me feel good to write the letter and then to know how much it meant to him.
A gift to my husband- new wheels for his triathalon bike– they are stupid expensive and he was more surprised that I managed to squirrel away the $$ and not spend it on my sewing room! He is so good at supporting my hobby- I was thrilled to pay it back!
My favorite gift was one I got last year from a friend. She gave my hubby and I a coupon book of things, like babysitting, a meal delivered etc…. it was from the heart and it really touched me.
My favorite gift is being given this year to my mom… its a hand stamped sterling sliver and copper necklace made by SAY ANYTHING JEWLERY from Sioux falls south Dakota… it has a large copper circle with the grandkids names ..smaller silver circle with her daughters names! Itbwill be a gift that will last a lifetime and is very special! Wishing you all a happy holiday season!
I made christmas tote bags for the girls at work and gave them to them December 1 to use the month of December. They use them every christmas ans still people notice them and comment on them.
My fondest memories of gift-giving were giving the things I made with my own two hands. When my girls were babies and we were so strapped for cash….I accumulated baby food jars, produced hand-decorated covers for the tops of them, and filled them with glazed pecans, dipped walnuts, and a variety of original spiced hot tea mixes. I included the recipe for each item which was tied on with twine and cinnamon sticks. I also made a few gift baskets (I’ve always hoarded empty baskets since I can remember) which contained those same items with the addition of a pumpkin pound cake or orange-nutmeg muffins. I so enjoyed giving those items and everyone remembers them to this day, 25 years later. WOW..thank you for making me think of that cuz now I feel all warm and fuzzy in time for the holidays!
I love the whole process of gift giving so to pick just one is hard. But my favorite would be a very unlikely one. The first year my grandmother was in a nursing home, I gave her cash. I don’t usually give $ as a gift so it was odd. But her kids were handling her money for her at that time and she had to ‘ask’ them for it when she needed something. Getting her hair done or a soda from the machine made her feel like a child since she needed to talk to her kids first. They did it out of caution for her. They didn’t wanted someone to take her $ or take advantage of her. But I remember thinking how hard that must be for her. So I gave her $. I thought my aunt was going to collapse when she found out. But the smile on my grandmother’s face was worth the grief I took…
My favorite “gift” was to my family on Christmas in 2006. My husband and I found out we were expecting our first (and so far only) daughter, July 2007. We were just about 11 weeks along during the holiday celebrations and my husband had a #1 dad shirt made. He wore it thinking someone would eventually notice and question it, but after an hour or two of waiting and holding in our excitement, we finally announced our wonderful news. To me the gift of adding to the family was far better than any material item! She also turned out to be a lucky baby born on 7/7/2007. She sure makes the holidays brighter for us all! Thanks.
When my husband and I first started dating, he told me that he loved me for the first time during the holidays. I’ll never forget it.
This year I made hand print tiles for my bosses. I helped the 3 little girls that I nanny make hand print impressions in clay tiles and decorate them with bits of sea glass. This will be Calle’s 3rd Christmas, but the twigs were adopted last February and are ready to celebrate their first holiday season at home.
my favorite things to give on christmas is handmade items. They are more appreciated then some store bought items.
The first Christmas after my mother had passed away I made a collage for each of my siblings featuring pictures of our mom with each of them at special times in their lives (their graduation, a birthday, their wedding, the birth of a child, etc…) and other special mementos I had found in a keepsake box of hers (like a card my sister had sent, a dried flower from a bouquet my brother had sent, etc…) and framed it. My siblings love them and cherish them to this day—-it’s a great loving memory keepsake.
What was your favorite holiday gift you’ve given and why?
My favorite holiday gift was suprising my kids with my sister showing up on christmas morning.
My son’s first words print-screened on T-shirts for family!
I make the knotted fleece blankets for all of the babies around me. Between all of my family and friends they were getting jealous that the babie only got them. Well, the Christmas before last I made everyone in my family, my close friends, and my co-workers that I deal with on a daily basis a blanket. That was 27 all together. I still get comments on how they love them. I paired up their interests with the top fleece fabric and made them 2 and 2 1/2 yards. I love knowing that someone I care about is getting a big hug of warmth when they use them. Now I am getting into Minky strip quilts (but not as many at one time).
The year after we lost my brother-in-law to cancer, I became interested in genealogy. I traced both sides of the family back literally 2000 years and charted it. Then I scrap-booked family pictures, put it all in bound notebooks and gave them to three of our daughters for Christmas. I don’t think I’ll ever top that one, it was fascinating and meaningful both.
the best gift i have ever given is birth to a truly beautiful daughter inside and out.who in turn gave me the gift of 3 beautiful and sweet grandchildren…thanks for the giveaways and thanks for an amazing site…
Lovely giveaway!
My favorite gift was a wedding scrapbook album. The looks on the recipients’ faces were so heartwarming!
My favorite gift I have given was a handmade toy for our son, he was 2 years old and really wanted Big Blue Jet from the Little Einsteins but we could not find one anywhere so we bought a model jet kit and glued it together and than handpainted to look just like Blue Jet
Five years ago my dear mother-in-law Dorothy was struggling with leukemia. Years ago she had started a quilt- just a simple block pattern, but the blocks were from fabrics she had used to sew clothes for her girls when they were young. She had worked on the quilt over a long period of time- mostly on lazy summer afternoons spent at the lake cabin. Now, with leukemia taking away her strength and ambition she mentioned one day in passing how she “probably wouldn’t get to finish the quilt.” Without her knowledge I took the quilt and finished it by adding a backing, binding and then machine quilting it. Our family lived in another state but we made a special trip that Christmas to celebrate with my husbands parents. Dorothy was so surprised to see her quilt- finished at last, and the tears and laughter and memories flowed freely. It was her “best” and last Christmas gift.
I made my mother-in-law a large neck wrap that you heat in the microwave and wrap around your neck or joints for heat therapy. She tells me every time she sees me how much she loves it and uses everyday after work. She is a baker in a restaurant and the wrap can be used on her hands and shoulders. She loves it and I love that it was something I crafted especially for her.
The best holiday gift i given was sending my husband on an elk hunting trip! He has done so much for me and is such a great dad, he deserved some “man” time in coloroda hunting ;)
The most favorite gift I have ever given was to my now husband. It was the first Christmas we had together. He had told me over the past year how much he loved sailing. Since we live in MS there is not a lot of sailing to be done. We lived just a little south of Jackson and north of the coast. I did some research and found a man in Jackson of all places that was willing to teach my husband the ins and outs of sailing. I also got him a book called “The Sailors Handbook”. I put the gift certificate inside of the book and wrote a sweet message to him. He is not one to get excited about gifts but when he opened that gift he got teary eyed. He could not believe that I had done something so special for him. To this day he says that is the most favorite gift he has ever gotten. Love him so much!!!
The best gift I’ve given is a felt playhouse I made for my daughter. I love to watch her playing in it and it makes me so happy that she loves it. I love to make homemade gifts for my family.
I think the best gift I’ve given is a handmade quilt for my sister. She loved it, and I loved making it for her.
I love to give handmade/homemade gifts. Last year I made a friendship quilt for my best girlfriend – it was made from her favorite fabric lines and I made a special label for the back commemorating the holiday and our friendship.
Hmmm… favorite holiday gift given. I knew my hubby wanted to fly really badly, so one year, I bought him a pilot lesson. Probably one of my most fun ideas! :)
Oh my……I remember it like it was yesterday….I even snuck into the living room one evening when my parents weren’t paying attention and just baaareeely tore the corner of the package open just to sneak a peek inside. (I know, naughty, naughty). But under that metallic paper were the words “Real Baby.” I quickly re-wrapped the present back to perfection and was just as excited to open it on Christmas Day. I had wanted the coveted “Real Baby” doll for so long and there she finally was! MY BABY. I loved that doll. I took her everywhere with me. I fed her, changed her, slept with her, told her stories, gave her timeout’s…. you name it, I did it. Now that I’m a “grown up” (sort of), I love being the mother of two little girls and watching the magic between a girl and her doll. Pure love.
I love the knitting set I gave to my sister over two years. The first year she got a bag that I had made with pockets everywhere and lots of space to hold patterns, needles, wool and everything else you might need to take your knitting with you. The following year I gave her a knitting needle holder with a scissor keep, sewing needle holder and pincushion all in coordinating fabrics. It is a great set and really useful. It took a lot of work to get the piping and binding on the bag right but I was really pleased with the result and I think she was too.
My kids helped to make a clay angel for my dad who has cancer. Angels are his favorite & give hope in a dim prognosis! This angel was created all by their sweet work & love & all three girls handprints were used to make the angel wings! It was fired & hangs beautifully all year long!
Favorite Holiday gift I’ve given? That would have to be the little toy Wall-E I gave my husband for his desk. He loves that movie, because he says Wall-E reminds him of himself and how much he loves me. Everytime I see the gift I gave him, it reminds me how much he loves me.
The best gift I’ve ever given is a homemade quilt… it took me months to sew, and I was so proud to give it!
One Christmas when I was 10 my little sister and i sold homeade doughnuts around the Norwegian village we lived in at the time. It was snowy and cold in Norway at the time but we were determined to make enough money to buy our mom the new pair of glasses she needed but couldn’t afford. We sold the doughnuts for 10 kroner ( about $1.50) . We only ended up selling about 12 :)not enough for glasses but we wrapped up the money and put it under the tree for her anyway. We felt like it was the best present ever.
The favorite gift I’ve ever given was a Super Soaker water gun to my mom. When I walked in the room carrying that huge water gun her eyes lit up like she was a little girl again. It was so sweet!
The favorite gift I have ever given was a T shirt quilt that I made for my son with all his favorite band T shirts. He loved it.
The favorite gift I’ve given was the very first pair of socks I’d ever knit. They were a gift 2 years ago for my then 81 year old grandmother – she was the one who made my first dress when I was born, whom I watched lay out patterns on her massive kitchen counter when I was 5, who taught me to cross-stitch at 7, said my embroidery was better than hers at 11, who crafted alongside me through high school and taught me to knit just after college. I thought she deserved a pair of super-comfy handknit socks in her favorite colors since she never made anything for herself, but kept me and her other granddaughters in smocked dresses our entire childhoods. She beat cancer 5 years ago, shortly after renovating her 160 year old family home and having it placed on the National Registry of Historic Places, and now she spends her days volunteering in the soup kitchen, taking care of her ailing brothers and their wives, and quilting (finally making some things for herself). I just wanted to give her something that took the care and consideration that she put into everything she’s made for so many over the years.
My favorite gift I’ve given was a ping-pong table. Our teenage son doesn’t even mind playing with us! And, he has fun! thanks for a chance to win!
And, have a GREAT day!
kmassmanATgmailDOTcom
I think that best gift that I have ever given is a lift ticket for my partner. Our baby was due in February, and it was a complicated pregnancy. He worked so hard for us, 2 jobs, well over 60 hours a week. Snowboarding is his absolute favorite thing to do. So for Christmas, I bought him a lift ticket and picked a day for him to drive up to the mountain to have a fun day to himself. He was terrified to leave him so pregnant (I got the ticket for mid-Jan) but I sent him on his way and all was fine. He had a great time, got to do something that he loved, and spend a day unwinding from his busy every day life.
I loved giving my kids a trip to Italy – we had the best time there & it was so much better than ‘stuff’ that doesn’t get used!!!
Two small, beautiful, flowered chairs for two, small beautiful little girls on their first Christmas as our daughters! To see their faces that 1st Christmas as a part of our family was truly wonder, awe…
My favorite gift I’ve given was two basketball tickets to a local college game to my dad so he and I could go together!
My most favorite gift I ever given was to my best friend who has always given me great gifts was a handmade teapot with fruit and flowers hand painted on it. She fell in love with it and I made it specifically for her.
We gave our daughter a doll house my husband made for her when she was 7 yrs old. Santa brought it of course but her Daddy had spent countless hours in an unheated garage building it! Lately I overheard her say this was her favorite Christmas ever! She will soon be 28 yrs old and her little girl is enjoying the doll house now:)
The best gift I’ve ever given was a 5 star meal. It was a serious event and sooo worth the money!
My husband is a huge Oakland Raiders fan – why, I have no idea since he grew up in PA! Being originally from Sacramento and later living in SF for a while, I am a 49ers fan. Ugh! But at least mine makes sense! The Christmas before we got married, I surprised him with a trip to San Francisco including tickets to see the Raiders. (We lived in VA then.) He had never seen a game of theirs in person. They won too! He still says this was the best gift he’s ever received! Sometimes it’s good to suck it up and do something you dislike for the one you love!
My favorite gift that I guess I never got to give was a hand printed plate. My Dad, oh I miss him so much was diagnosed with a brain tumor and given 8 weeks. He had surgery in October and in December passed away. My daighter was 2 then and we made a hand print plate. The had print was painted as a princess and it said “Pop-Pop’s Princess” that is what she called him. My Mom keeps the plate hanging in their living room. Bittersweet!!
The best gift I’ve given was the box of Barbie clothes I made for my daughter when she was 5. She loved barbie and still does now even though she’s graduated to other dolls. I worked for months on those clothes after she went to bed. I wanted it to be a dream come true for her and it was!
My favorite gifts to give are things that I’ve knit myself. I’m relatively new to knitting and I’m still amazed that I can create something warm and beautiful with 2 sticks and a ball of string! I always give handmade things anyway, but the knitted gifts seem to really hit a chord with most people.
When my Grandfather died I was twenty one. I kept two items, his sweater and an old pipe he would smoke. He told my Grandmother and everyone else he quit chewing tobacco and other stuff, but when he passed they found out that he had lied since there were several packages hidden in his car and garage. I was a Grandpas girl and always knew the truth. LOL! Ten years later, I found a picture of my Grandfather with that pipe in his mouth. I had a black and white copy made. I bought a picture box (hanging memory box), put that picture and his beloved pipe that I had kept sealed up so it still smelled in it. I gave this gift of memories to my Dad and he was ever so touched. That was of the best gifts I have ever given.
A leather jacket!
I gave my husband his own quilt the first Christmas we were married. I had searched high and low for fly fishing and wolf fabrics to put on it and he loves it. It comes out every winter and goes on his side of the bed.
I have to say one of my favorite gifts to give was actually to my mother in law. It wasn’t just the gift it was the fun me and my husband had going to store after store looking for a “crazy wild looking Church hat” to put in the box to cover up the ring we had bought her. For we started this tradition of trying to “desgise” each gift if it is one that can be “guessed”. Back to the store buying….we had gone to the mall and went into every major store (never knew how much hats costs)… we went to a popular store not Walmart or Target, it was a very large popular clothing store. And we spied the hats !! Wild hats! as I had to try them on -which I really didn’t have to it was just going into a hat box to cover the ring…after about the 4th hat that was so let’s just say wild, big and would capture anyone’s attention, we were laughing so hard we were both in tears, then we noticed women around us looking at us in unhappy faces since they were seriously shopping for a hat. We had been in our own little world looking at them we never noticed all these other people. Well we calmed down choose one that wasn’t too pricey since the ring was very expensive and headed to the register then realized we needed a hat box. Ok we had to humbly go back to that same area and choose a hat box w/the same women there trying on their hats. My MIL loved the ring and got such a kick out of the hat she wore it to church for conversation and it now hangs proudly on an individual hat rack in her spare room where we stay when we visit. We were in our 40′s and we still laugh about our “shopping day”. It is one that will bring us out of any funk any day.
I am giving my mom a kitchen aid mixer because I love mine so much!
My most favorite gift that i have received at Christmas is one from my childhood. As a little girl…I always dreamed about growing up and getting married! I asked for a hopechest. I wanted it to store things for the house I would have one day! I now have it at the end of my bed filled with sweet sentiments and waiting to be passed on to my daughter when she gets a little bigger! :)
Yikes! I did received..lol. My most favorite gift that I have given is when I was in high school there was a boy in my grade that was not fortunate enough to have much of a Christmas. My mother, a friend of hers and I went and bought gift for him, his mom and sister. I took them over to their house and they open them with such excitement. My heart swelled with happiness and joy! Each and every time I run into him..he gives me a big ole’ hug!
My favorite gift is always a quilt. Friends don’t except someone to give them a quilt. Merry Christmas!
I gave my mom a beautiful purse. The look on her face was priceless! She never buys herself anything and when she does it is always on sale and would never pay more than $20 for a purse and it better be functional. lol I was still in high school working at the local Walgreens and saved and saved my money and went to our local Antique District in our small town which has some upscale items strewn throughout them. I found this adorable shop and black leather purse w/silver embellishments and of course an outside zipper pocket for her cell. The interior was lined w/this beautiful white w/black flowered pattern material. My momma has never owned a purse like this, I paid almost $100 for it. She used it for 4-5 yrs! ***my dad bought her a Dooney and Burke purse years and years ago and she returned it thinking someone would steal it and all she would loose would be the pictures of me and my sister in her wallet.. she is so sentimental. Said she didn’t want people to think she had money when she didn’t. oh yea she returned it w/my dad in tow and as he was waiting for the sales woman to handle the return my momma was looking at the sale purses and my dad told her to come over by him, it was embarrasing…lol They are so adorable. She ended up buying a $19 sale purse. Sd it had more pockets than the D&B purse and was more functional. I love Ashley’s clothes and would love her patterns…She is always on my mind and she is such an awesome teacher of how we need to be strong when we don’t want to be.
My favorite gift I’ve ever given was a huge playhouse for my son when he was 1 on Christmas. When he came into the room his eyes got so big and he started screaming. He kept peeking out of the windows. I will never forget how sweet he was.
I have to say my most favorite gift I have given is the one I am giving my daughter in law this year. she is a new mom and wife and no one has ever taught her how to cook. She desperately want to know how. So I bought her an awesome cooking bible by Paula Deen and a few of my hand written recipes I know her husband loves (my son). I know she will be pleased.
The favorite gift I’ve given is my own artwork. I’ve given it to both my mom and my sister, and they were both SO overjoyed to receive it, I was completely blown away. I was so blessed by their joy, and felt like I was truly giving a piece of myself to each of them. I can’t wait to give more personal artwork to friends and family.
I think it was one of the very first Christmas’s my husband and I were married. I saved and scrimped to get him a Broncos leather jacket (his favorite team!) and he was so amazed at it. Plus I bought it in MN and this was before we started shopping on the ‘net so I was pretty surprised to find it here.
The Best Gift I have Given was….Was a Video Ography of our families life through the years….
I guess the best gifts I’ve ever given are the ones I’ve have made for people. Two years ago I made a quilt for my nephew (it was only my second quilt). I also like to give pictures that I’ve taken and the recipient has never seen. It’s also really great to give someone something they want but would never buy for themselves. One year I gave my B/F a video game system. He really wanted it but never would have bought it for himself, he really loves it!
My favorite gift I have given has to be the first oilcloth lunch bag I made for someone else – it pretty much launched my online business!
Last year I gave one of my friends a Cricut cake. She was starting out with experimenting with cake decorating and she never expected it. She loved it!
Last year my mom gave me several Christmas decorations that I grew up seeing around our house. A little house that holds candy canes, little elves that hang on the tree and come little elves that are carving toys. These gifts are now decorating my house and hopefully my little girls will always remember them and I can pass them on to them. :) makes me happy just thinking about it!
Anything handmade! It is always great to give a gift from the heart!
Favorite gift given…… We took some village pieces and made them personal. One was a quilt shop and we changed the name on the store and put my Grandma’s name on it. The other was a tool shed. We changed the name on it and put Grandpa’s name on it. Made a set of both for several families members, since Grandma & Grandpa aren’t with us anymore. Now, they light up our homes, along with our hearts. <3
Happy Holidays. Thanks for the chance to win.
The favorite gift I’ve ever given.. was to my husband. I ordered a pocket watch and had it engraved on the back. With his initials and the date. I hid the package underneath his grandpa’s chair that was given to us after he passed away. This was his favorite chair. His grandpa meant everything to him growing up and I told him this pocket watch was to remind him of him. It was very neat.. a Chrismas we’ll never forget.
The favorite gift I’ve ever given is the puppy we gave my then 6 year old daughter for Christmas after our other dog passed away.
My favorite holiday gift I’ve given was a photo book I made of my children for my mother. My mother is pretty amazing (she raised my brother and I all by herself after my father passed away) and she treasures her grandchildren more than anything else. She won’t ever tell me anything she actually wants for herself, and seeing the look on her face when she saw her book was priceless. We are both criers so we were both crying, and I was so glad to bring her so much joy. She is my best friend and an amazing grandmother.
Would probably be the Disney sweatshirts/tickets that Santa left under our tree for the kids when they were younger.
Thanks for a great giveaway!
Julie
I think it will be this year’s big Santa gift for my kids. They’re finally getting a Wii, and I think it will reinforce their belief in Santa because I’ve always said “no way” when they’ve begged for one–they would never suspect that I actually got it for them!
I got my best present last night – a little early. Some dear, dear friends decided to provide us with an iPad for our two Autistic daughters. It was so generous, and so unexpected, I get sniffly just thinking about it.
I don’t know if I can choose a favorite gift, but the first Christmas my husband & I were married we had a local artist (who also happened to be the wife of my parent’s high school principal) to paint watercolors of my parent’s and his parent’s houses. After almost 35 years, I still remember my Mom opening the box and saying “What a pretty painting!”. It took her a minute or two to realize it was ‘Her’ house in the picture!!
I began quilting the summer of 2010. I decided to make my niece a rag quilt. I got the idea from kevinandamanda.com to incorporate photos on printable fabric in the quilt. The photos I picked spanned her life from birth to present. There was also a photo of her as a baby with her late grandfather. Being a new quilter, it took me forever to finish the quilt. I finished it just in time to surprise my 7 year old niece with it. It was so fun to watch her open up the quilt. It took no time at all before it was on her bed. There is nothing more fun that giving a gift from the heart!
My Calphalon cookware! I’ve been using it and loving it for years!
Probably the best CHristmas gift that I ever gave anyone is when I was lucky enough to buy a Cabbage Patch doll for my daughter when they first came out in the 80′s. She was so happy to receive that doll and I will never forget the joy on her face.
My most favorite gift I have given is an inside joke between my mom and I- The husband used to work for a co that had these huge 64 oz mugs, and my mom wanted one, so we got her one at the time. Well mine had broke, so my husband bought a new one from Loves that has a rubber tire bottom and my mom had said.. “Oh, I like how that has the rubber there.” I bought her one, along with a $20 gift card to get fountain drinks with it, and wrapped it up. Oh the laughs we had that morning. Needless to say, she still uses the old one because the one with the rubber tire bottom is pretty huge!
shanna.u at gmail dot com
My favorite holiday gift that I have given is a sterling silver necklace that was engraved with SIL’s children’s names.
The best gift I have ever given was actually a “regift” My son’s DS had broken and I told him I wasn’t sure if we could afford to get it fixed. I sent it in to get it repaired and got it back just a couple of days before Christmas. I wrapped it up and he was so surprised and excited to have it back. He hugged it! It was very cute!
I think the best holiday gift I have ever given was a scrapbook made by me to my dear brother-in-law who recently lost his son. Robbie was only 21. The book held all the dearest pictures and ribbons and memories of Robbie and his dad. I know it was cherished and I felt so good giving Roger this gift that he could hold on to and be reminded of his loving son. Sometimes it’s the simple gifts that mean the most and are the longest lasting. The scrapbook was a labor of love, and I was honored to make it and present it to Roger.
My little sister had a favorite blanket that was getting really worn out. So after finally finding most of the original fabric I was able to recreate it for her. She was so excited.
My favorite gift that I have given is three years ago when I had all my Grandfather’s 8mm films converted into DVDs for him and all my aunts, uncles, and cousins. It was great to see the look on my Grandfather’s face when he realized he could now watch his home movies whenever he wanted. And we all had a blast watching the DVDs together that day.
My Mother-in-Law passed away last November from pancreatic cancer. She had five children and needless to say, her passing was hard on everyone. I had a black and white photo of her when she was 22 years old that I had blown up. I made copies for each of her children, did alittle bit of scrapbook decorating and framed each of the photos. It was so nice to see everyone’s reaction. It was a gift given with love as my Nanay was a Special person.
Thanks for the giveaway and a chance to win.
usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com
My favorite gift that I’ve given was when my husband and I were first married. We were young and broke, but my parents had given me money for my birthday and I’d saved it. My husband really wanted a model train to set up under the Christmas tree like his family did when he was a child, but the cost made it out of the question…so he thought…I took my saved birthday money and bought the set he’d been wanting. He was working nights so I set the train up on Christmas Eve after he’d gone to work, and when I heard him drive in the next morning I hurried to the living room and started the train up. He came in and kind of cocked his head, asking, “What’s the sound”? and then he realized what it was. :) He was so excited! I don’t think I’ll ever forget the look on his face.
And that’s my favorite Christmas gift that I’ve ever given. I got a pretty good gift that day too, seeing his joy.
Thank you for the wonderful giveaways, and for asking us to comment on such interesting things.
As a child and with my own money, shopped and shopped until I found the perfect set of black dress gloves for my mother. I loved them and wished I could wear something so sophisticated and lovely. She must have liked them, too. She still has them almost 50 years later!
Wow. Let me think. I think my favorite surprise gift was to my dad last year. He always just buys whatever he wants and there is never any surprising him. But I finally did last year. I bought him a book written by a man who bought our house many years ago and then became somewhat famous after that. So there were many pictures of our house in his biography, showing lots of fun things that happened there with famous people. My dad had no clue the book had even been written and was so thrilled to see pictures of these people in our living room, in the house my father had designed. It was the very best gift for him!
My favorite gift that I have ever given for the holidays is something that I gave to my mom as a child. My mom is a hairdresser, and I gave her a Smurf figurine that holds scissors in one hand and a comb in the other. I did that when I was probably 8 years old or so, and I am 40 now. To this day, my mom still has that sweet little Smurf on her booth at her shop. Love you Mamma!
The best gift I have ever given was to my husband last year( we got married 2 years ago). I bought him an ATV so we could go 4 wheeling in the Mountains of Montana! He was very surprised and shocked. It’s usually the guys who get the cool gifts for us gals. And I loved being able to do that!
Best gift ever was the dollhouse we gave our daughter when she was 5. She played with it forever. After having it stored away for years, she gifted it to another 5 year old girl at Christmas who could never have afforded to have one. That was awesome too.
I was 14 when my little sister was born. For her first Christmas I made her a dress and pinafore, with matching nappy cover. Definitely the best present I ever gave; handmade presents are the best! :)
I got my husband an ebook reader and he absolutely loves it. His only complaint is there aren’t enough history books available for download. Thanks for the chance to win.
My favorite gift / gifts I have ever given was last year to my 3 grandchildren. My son was soon to be deployed overseas and my husband was out of work searching for a new job. We had no extra money to spend for Christmas presents. I was trying to think of what gift I could make. I had some old jeans that belonged to my son, so I carefully cut up all his old jeans. I made each of my grand-kids a special one of a kind quilts using Daddy’s jeans and other fun fabric I had in my stash. I also used his jean pockets and embroidered on each pocket Daddy’s Pocket, then my grand-child’s name, from Grandma, Christmas 2010. The pocket I sewed on each quilt was for my grandchildren to put their wishes and prayers while Daddy was deployed and to give them a little bit of comfort.
I love handmade gifts, making then and receiving them. Especially love thinking of the person while I am making them their handmade gift.
Favorite holiday gift, huh? Gosh – every year I’m blessed by receiving everything I’ve dreamed about and things I’ve never dreamed of. So, the actual gifts tied up with ribbons and bows are many. The gift without all the wrapping paper and pretty bows has to be my marriage. We got married on December 23 during a horrific snow storm and sub-freezing temps but our out-of-town and local guests made it to the festivities as we said our “I Do” to each other. THAT was the best gift ever!
I have to say that my favorite gifts are the ones my children pick out every year at the reindeer shop at their school. everything is $2, but it is so special that they get to pick it out, and wrap it for the people they love. Every year, they both buy one for mom, dad, and for brother, and this year they included our dog! such a sweet tradition!! But the love behind it is what makes it unforgettable!!
Wow, awesome women and giveaways again!!! Last year I was able to afford an iPad for my husband. He is the kind who gives to everyone else first, so to watch him open the package was pretty awesome!!
Last year I tracked down a book (a collection of recipes, actually) from a beloved bakery that closed for my husband’s grandmother. I baked one of the cookie recipes and wrapped them up for her to open-she couldn’t figure out how I knew the recipe since the bakery closed decades ago. It was so awesome to see her face light up when she opened the book! My favorite Christmas moment ever by far!
The best gift was a Betsy McCall doll when I was 5. I also got a whole bunch of clothes and a carry case.
A bargello tote bag. I was going to keep it but my Mother – in – law loved it, so she has it now. : )
Last year, I gave my mom a scrapbook of picture of when I was growing up and my children now. . .I worked on it for almost the entire year and was so excited to present it to her.
One of my favorite gifts I’ve given was the year I made a special gift for my mother. I made her a quilt with a handprint of each grandchild appliqued to the quilt. I add more hands as the family grows.
one of my favorite gifts I’ve given is one year we gave my dad, who is very hard to shop for, a replica model car of a car he had during his batchelor days. to him that car brought back a lot of good memories. for someone that is hard to get a gift for, it was great to finally get one that he loved and appreciated!
My friends give me a handmade bracelet. I loves it because she tagged her name and my name on it..
Hm, that’s a tricky one. I did create a great photo book for my best friend from some old photo holidays of his. He’s hopeless at getting his photos organized and didn’t know that I’d dug out the CD with all of his pictures from a family trip to Spain so it was a good surprise.
I think the best gift I gave was a set of DIY wallhangings for my parents after their house burned down. But really I have found that the gifts that mean the most are the ones you put your heart into… the love and the thought that you put into it makes the gift special!
One year we were able to totally surprise my husband with a new saddle. It was priceless because he always seems to know what’s coming. I still remember the shock on his face. (Years later, during a lean period, he sold that saddle to help support our family – I’ll never forget that either).
Each year I put together a “stocking for my Mom – it’s so much fun to find favorite little things we’ve gathered to fill the stocking, or basket or unusual container.
She does the same for me =)
My 86 year old mother had always talked about her high school yearbook and how she wished she still had it. I found out my aunt’s husband still had his (they went to school together) so I called him and he was able to get it copied. I wrapped it up and gave it to her for Christmas. Her reaction was absolutely a golden memory for me.
My favorite holiday gifts I’ve given have been ones I made. In particular the ABC books I’ve made for my nieces and nephew on the Christmas or birthday they turn one. This Christmas I get to make one for another niece, she is actually 20 months old, but I think she’ll enjoy it more at this age because she’s saying words and recognizes people in her life and items. It is so much fun to get family pictures for the appropriate letter and some of the basic shapes, animals, and other items that correlate. It’s a simple scrapbook project that I can start and finish in a relatively small block of time.
I’ve been given lots over the years and it’s hard to pick which one is my very favorite. It may have been the cross necklace that my older brother bought for me one Christmas. It was very pretty and just special, coming from him. :)
Hi, Thank you I enjoyed reading about everyone. Thank you for your part in this wonderful 12 days of giveaways. The best gift I gave would have to be the Ruby and diamond ring I gave to my x-wife back when we were married. She wouldn’t wear it for a long time because she was afraid she might lose it. She went and got insurance on it before she wore it. Thank you for this wonderful giveaway and Happy Holiday to You and Yours.
My favorite gift I’ve given was the year I wrote each of my siblings and parents a heart-felt letter with a picture of me and that person attached. I think I made almost everyone cry that year. (In a good way, of course.)
my favorite gift i ever gave was a rolling toolbox to my husband. he always wanted one like his brother had and although i could not afford to buy the “monster” rolling toolbox I bought him a big enough one for him and he was so surprised by it. i love making him happy!
My favorite holiday gift that I’ve given is artwork that I felt drawn to and inspired by.
The best gift I’ve ever given was when I told my Mom she was going to be a Grandma. She’d been hinting FOREVER that she was ready for grandkids. So, we waiting until Xmas to tell her and wrapped up a copy of “Chicken Soup for the Grandparent’s Soul” and let her open it. It was AWESOME to see her her face when she figured it out! Thanks for the chance!
My father passed away a long time ago… Last year I found a picture of my sisters , my dad and myself in front of a Silvery Christmas tree and I made a Christmas /canvas for each of my sisters and for my mom as well. They were very happy and very touch by this simple gift!!!
best regards,
Wanda
I gave my wife a record player that has a usb to record her vinyl album treasures onto the computer. We had a record player, but then finding needles for them became a hassle.
When my daughter was 4 Santa made her a dress up box. The box was decorated with her name and pink and purple flowers. There were handmade dresses and costumes; hats; jewelry and shoes. The look on her face on Christmas morning was priceless. In the rest of the pictures Christmas morning she was dressed as a bride!
It’s always fun giving hand-made gifts to my mom… she really appreciates them! I made her a crocheted wreath a few years back ans she leaves it up year-round she liked it so much!
My fav gift was a garnet ring from my hubby – I’d always wanted my birthstone in a ring.
My favorite is a birthstone ring my mother gave me on the last Christmas before she died. I wear it every day and think of her always.
The most favorite gift I’ve given is a guitar for my husband. He is a talented musician and was drooling over a certain acoustic guitar. I was successful in buying it without him knowing and surprised him later with it.
Favorite gift that I’ve given? Last year I made quilts for each of the grandchildren of my dear friend. Knowing that they were all opening them, spread out across the country, was a very sweet feeling. The thank you’s I received were sincere and heartwarming.
My dad loves coffee and had been wanting a Keurig coffee maker although he never directly made that known. Last year, he was so surprised when he opened my gift and found one inside. It was was his favorite gift that year and I was very happy to see him so pleased…with a gift that he actually could (and would) use! Now that he’s had it for almost a year, I can truthfully say that he uses it just about everyday.
sazzyfrazz at gmail dot com
I got my daughter american girl doll. It was all she wanted. We did not have much money, but it worth every penny when we saw her face!!
It’s not all that big, but last year my husband got the exact scissor I wanted for beside my sewing machine. Everytime I use them, I think of him and how sweet he is!
My husband loves to wear quarter zip sweaters to work in the winter time. This actually didn’t start until our first Christmas married, I gave him a nice quarter zip sweater with patches on the sleeves. He loved it so much and wore it out. So it’s become a bit of a tradition to get him a new one every Christmas. This year he’s getting one with buttons instead of a zipper….shh!:)
The best gift I have given for a holiday is actually a quilt given to a dear friend on her birthday, which happens right before Thanksgiving. The quilt and story can be seen here….
http://homesweetquiltinghome.blogspot.com/2011/10/true-friend-and-finish.html
Thanks for the great giveaways!
Giving my parents a car was a great gift and surprise. They needed one and it was simply something that they couldn’t afford to by themselves.
Thanks,
Lori
I gave my husband a trip to meet his best friend at a hunting lodge.He works so hard to provide for me and our children, I loved seeing his face light up when he realized he was having a long weekend away in the woods.
I love seeing all these beautiful gifts each day. I think the favorite gift I’ve given may have been one given back in the 1970s. My parents were both born in 1912, and I had old studio photos of them both taken when they were about five. I had a local watercolor artist recreate them and frame them just perfectly. My dad passed away in 1989 and my mom in 2004, so the pictures came back to me I just recently passed them on to my daughter for her home.
My favorite holiday gift that I have given is a large set of dishcloths and potholders for my mom(in law). She loved them and begs for more each year.
Last year I gave my hubbie a Traeger smoker. It was the best gift ever because he loves to cook on it, but it doesn’t mess up the kitchen! Yeah! And he’s a good cook too
My favorite gift I’ve given wasn’t for Christmas. But it was for my grandfather (who suffers from dimentia) for father’s day a few years ago. I made him a photo book using a simple online photo company we’ve all heard of, and included pictures of him from when he was a little boy, all the way up to pictures of him with my own son. I wasn’t there to watch him open the gift, but I hear he looks at the book often and hopefully he remembers a little of his marvelous life when he does.
My favorite holiday gift I’ve ever given was a custom caricature of my dad’s dog. Sounds silly, but I had a friend draw it, and my dad was so surprised!
I made a beautiful tree skit for a secret Santa gift one year.
I don’t have a favorite that I have ever given. I love everything I give because my gifts are so personal. If I had to pick I would say anything that I have made on my own, there is so much love and creativity that go into homemade gifts!
Last year I made my mother a quilt (only my 2nd one ever finished at the time) and she just cherishes it! Everytime someone visits her she proudly shows off the quilt I made for her which is proudly displayed on her sofa! It is really touching that she loves it sew much and it inspires me to create more quilts!
I love the quilts I have given over the years. Just knowing my family and friends are wrapped in something I put so much time and love into makes me happy. Thanks for the opportunity to win!=)
In 5th grade Santa brought be a bird. I loved that bird! His name was Bert. I’ve always wanted another one.
Oh, duh, that i’VE given. I didn’t read very well. One year my mom gave me a list of ideas for Christmas. Instead of buying a couple things from it I got all the things. She was so encouraged and I was glad. She generally did’t get good gifts and since I was the only child she didn’t get many. It was wonderful to surprise her and make her happy.
Mine would have to be the craft kits that I would get when I was a child each year from my cousin and his wife.
the first present I ever gave my daughter. It was a bracelet I made her for her christening.
I had a canvas made for my hubby to showcase on of his photos. It was special because it was the opportunity for him to see his work large scale and for us to have it hanging in our home.
a collage of pictures I had made for my parents. we stopped and talked to the vendor at a flea market in the summer and my parents kinda forgot about the collage until they opened their gift on Christmas morning.
A reel to reel tape player so my dad could listen to his really old tapes.
Every year I give my family ornaments. Usually my mom gets a baking themed ornament and my stepfather gets fire trucks. Last year I started buying ornaments for my younger sister. I am starting a mushroom collection for her. I found a great mushroom ornament at Anthropologie last year that was really neat. My sister loved it and it has encouraged my to continue the mushroom tradition this year.
My husband and I had two daughters who rode western games. We loved watching them, and could see the older folks (like us) riding – I could tell my husband really wanted to do that. He wasn’t really very equipped – we’d just moved to our new house and got our horses not that long ago. We didn’t have a ton of money, so I started early purchasing a big silver belt buckle from Montana Silversmiths, a western watch with leather band, Wrangler jeans, Carhart Jacket, and a soft Red Eddie Bauer Flannel Shirt.
He participated in his first Western Games in January after Christmas. He had everything just right, except the horse. She was lovely, an old barrel racing horse who couldn’t wait to run, and run she did – The pictures are amazing – his body tilted back almost ready to fall off. She was excited almost completely unable to compete she couldn’t stand still long enough. It was a great experience, but we didn’t repeat it.
The K’Nex Roller Coaster set that my husband and I gave our son was fun. We spent the whole day building it. The family time is something to treasure.
When I started quilting my teenage son gave me a book that was a block of the month, very complicated appliqued norhtwoodsy quilt. 2years later I gve him the completed quilt for Christmas. It was a joyful occasion! Great giveaway – thanks for the chance to win.
Let me just say, if there is a day that I really want to win this has GOT to be it. You had me at the LBB patterns and the rest of the prizes sound just as good!!
My anniversary is a week before Christmas, so often times we combine gifts. I gave my husband tickets to the Chick-Fil-A Bowl for our first anniversary/ Christmas and it was one of his most memorable times.
a few years ago, my husband broke his watch strap, so when Christmas rolled around, I secretly took it in and had the strap replaced, then wrapped it up…it only took him a few minutes to realize that it was his old watch! It was fun.
A little silver thumb ring my husband gave to me a few years ago. Months earlier I had mentioned in passing that I’d like one someday. He remembered (which he doesn’t often do :) ) and chose the perfect one for Christmas.
oops! I read that wrong and posted a favorite gift I’ve been given!
The favorite gift I’ve given was a specially autographed football. A friend of ours sometimes worked special events for the KC Chiefs football team. I snuck him a football and asked him to get some players’ autographs for my husband. He did! It was a total surprise that knocked my husband’s socks off.
Hi there,
The best gift/s I’ve given I think are from about 10 years or so ago when I was learning how to quilt. I wanted to make each of my sons a quilt of their own. Oh my goodness, looking back they were absolutely TERRIBLE lol. Huge pieces of thick flannel WITH batting and tied with yarn.. I’ve learned a bit since then, but the boys do still have those monsters.
Just recently I surprised my mother for her birthday with tickets to the Nutcracker ballet…she was very excited!
Giving a family in more need then my son and I a Christmas for them and their children.
I am not a wealthy person by any means and may be considered poverty level but I can’t stand by as someone else doesn’t have anything for Christmas!
It warms my heart knowing that I made someone’s day special:)
I made a patchwork coat one year. It took me forever to complete. I entered it into a judging for a show and got in. I then gave it to my sister for Christmas. Multi-tasking. thanks, kathy
The gift of a little car I gave my grandson, because he was so thrilled with it.
A crochet afghan for my mother-in-law… she really liked it and uses it daily during the cold months in Pennsylvania.
I found a 3 foot wood carved bear that I gave to my future husband for his birthday the first year we met and he said it was the greatest gift he had ever received. It sits by his computer desk now.
My favorite holiday gift I’ve given was stockings that i made for my kids.
I have a heart necklace with my 2 daughters fingerprints in it! I always have them close to my heart!
My favorite gift I have given is one that I have not given yet. I am making a quilt for my sister-in-law. She loves my quilt that I made for myself. So I am making her a quilt from my scraps. I can’t wait to give it to her. I think she is going to be surprised!
-Liberty
I love it when I have a gift i am very, very excited about! It seems it is usually something handmade but a couple of years ago I was able to find bamboo sheets and blankets for my in laws. I could live in my bamboo sheets and was thrilled to be able to share that comfort with the ones I love!!
My recent favorite gift given is the extra large serving dish I gave to my brother in law for Christmas two years ago. At the Thanksgiving before that Christmas he mentioned that he didn’t have enough serving platters for his turkey. He cooks Thanksgiving dinner for our entire family and then some. His reaction when he opened his gift was the best.
my favorite was a handmade doll for my daughter’s second Christmas. i loved being able to support a small business and get to create something special for my child.
I love giving and look all year long for the perfect holiday gifts for friends and family. But my sister and I have together created amazing (if I do say so myself) scrapbooks for our mother’s 60th birthday and our father’s 60th Father’s Day gift. These were no store-bought gifts. We love to look at them every chance we get. They are just wonderful reflections on our family memories. I hope our kids do something like this for us someday. ;)
A topsy-turvy bunny I made for my daughter. She sleeps with it every night and I love that it gives her so much comfort and joy.
My favorite gift and the most rewarding one would have to be my sons dog. He is a little chihuahua and is his therapy dog. His life is infinitely easier and happier with his little mate around!
My parents-in-law are both difficult to buy for, because they don’t need anything and live quite simply. But I’ve made a couple of photo books for them – and have another one to give them this year – and they really treasure them! I love making something that is meaningful like that :)
My favorite holiday gift that I’ve ever given was a knit robot for my nephew. He LOVED it! And it was a ton of fun for me to make.
My husband proposed on Christmas eve, that is by far the best gift I ever received!
Oops, I mixed that one up! The best gift I’ve ever GIVEN would probably be to my daughter last year. All she talked about was getting a Barbie airplane, she told me that Santa had even promised she would get one. When I saw her face as she opened it Christmas morning, it was enough to make me cry. It totally took me back to my childhood and wanting that one special thing and it being under the tree.
My favorite holiday gift I’ve given was tickets to a Paul McCartney concert to my mom. She’d always wanted to see him, so my sisters and I pooled our money and bought tickets!
One year I made my parents reusable grocery/tote bags from some leftover fabrics I had. It didnt seem like that big of a deal but they both told me how much they love them and when I visit they have them in the car to use at the grocery store. I. Glad to see theyve gotten years of use out of them!
This year I gave for Sinterklaas a calendar of Bob Dylan photos to my love. he is a fan of him. I wanted to see his eyes while unwrapping the package….. GREAT
A stocking as tall as my 6′ hubby, back when we were dating. He said if I could fill it Beowulf be a monkey’s uncle. So I filled his real stocking with monkeys of all kinds.
I gave my husband a waffle maker since he loves waffles especially now during the holidays he loves making eggnog waffles. He loves making them through the year,
When I was about 17, it was tight financially at our house and I got each person a brown bag full of their favorite groceries. It was so fun to pick out their favorites, it was practical, fun, and VERY well received. My siblings still talk about it.
For the past several years we have given my parents a lawn mowing service for the whole summer. We don’t live close enough to them to do it ourselves, so this gives us piece of mind that they aren’t having to mow their big lawn by themselves.
The best gift i have ever given would be a pillow i gave to my grandmother. The pillow had a picture of my daughters on it. My grandmother was in a nursing home and didn’t get to see her great grandchildren very often so i got the pillow made so she could look at it whenever she wanted and hug the pillow tight to give her comfort. After my grandmother passed we got the pillow and now my little baby boy loves to stare at the pillow with his sisters on it:)
I gave this gift when I was six, it was to my brother who was a drummer in a punk band. I made it out of plastercine and an old talc box and it was a pair of legs sticking out of a broken drum. That was 29 years ago and he still has it
I loved giving my mother in law a quilt. She really loves hand made items and really never gets that many so it was very special to her.
Favorite gift I gave was to my two best friends a few years ago – we have moved away so it has changed a lot – i made them each a fun girly basket by using an old narly basket, add a vintage linen, some homemade sweets, an ornament, a wonderful smelling candle and one of my necklaces. It was so personal, feminine and creative, plus I loveddddd putting it together!
I think the favorite gift I’ve given is the leather bound journal I gave to my then-boyfrined-now-husband on our first Christmas together. The outside has beautiful Celtic tooling and he was so happy to pen it. It’s one of his prized possessions now–over the years it has been carried everywhere with him and helped to record his thoughts, hopes, fears and dreams. As I type this, I can look at his side of the sofa, and there it is–not far away from him.
The favorite holiday gift I’ve given pales to a future holiday gift I will be giving.
So far, the favorite gift I’ve given will seem a little macabre but here goes. I take care of Veterans and one passed away on Veteran’s Day and I helped the family financially with the funeral since they were unable to pay for all of it themselves. This Veteran had a lot of dignity in life and I wanted him to have the same dignity in death.
The future gift: Someone very close to me was born several decades ago and we have a tradition where I give her a Christmas ornament every year, some years they are silly and some years they are traditional. What she doesn’t know is that I’ve been collecting a set of Baccarat Christmas ornaments for her, since the collection was first issued the year she was born. I have not decided when she is going to get them but it will definitely be around Christmas! I can’t wait to see the look on her face!!
My favorite holiday gift is a pair of handmade earrings I’ve given to my sister. It is a favorite because my sister was so happy when she received it and she loves it so much.
One year, we sponsored an entire family for Christmas. It meant so much to all of us, and we took great delight in picking out gifts for their 2 children in particular.
This is a hard one. I am going to pick the Piccoli doll that I am giving my daughter this year. She has been admiring her picture on the computer and can say her name “Peppermint.” It is so cute! I am also due on the 25th with baby number 2…so it will be fun for my daughter now 20 months to tote around her little baby like momma :)
My favorite holiday gift I have given is a Waldorf doll I made for my daugther. I loved that I was able to create something that she can play with and loves.
[WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ’0 which is not a hashcash value.
My loveliest gift I’ve presented was to my brother. I had a photo from 1919 remade. It was of our Mother and Uncle and he truly was touched. Watching his face as he held it, I was really moved.
My favorite Holiday gift that I’ve given was the year that my husband and I gave our parents an ultrasound picture to reveal that we were expecting our baby :)
My sister decorates cakes and sends me pictures of her creations (we are several states apart.) I had them all printed and put together a scrapbook/portfolio of her creations.
Embossed velvet angel ornament; that I made. It was so pretty !!!
: )
I made a nautical flag, needlepoint belt for my dad that I love. He wears it all the time and I love seeing it and thinking about what was going on when I was making it. That was 17 years ago!
My friend had made a table runner to give away but once she had made it she really liked it. It was a kit so she had no fabric left to make herself one but she was a good girl and still gave it away. I called the store and had them mail me the main fabric and made almost the same runner for her. The look on her face was priceless when she opened it!
Wasn’t this the last question? I’ll have to go back and see if I messed up with my comments.
But of all the things I’ve given away, the quilt I gave a SIL when she had a double mastectomy was the more cherished, only because I made it while she was undergoing treatment and alot of prayer went along with that quilt. She is still with us and we are blessed.
My favorite Christmas gift that I’ve given is the memory game set I made for my niece last year. She uses it daily and loves it. I can’t say that about all my gifts !
I have four children, and one year none of them had money to buy gifts for their children. I had some extra money at that time, which is very unusual, so I gave money to my son and designated him to go and buy all the gifts for my 14 grandchildren. That year was the best Christmas we have shared together. The children were all thrilled at their gifts. The gifts weren’t extravagant, but they were truly from the heart and I never seen my grandchildren more appreciative.
My favorite gift given was last year, when I found a set of seven old, carved elephant figurines. My dad loves elephants, and I was able to give my parents and each sibling an elephant.
I am going to say that it is what I am giving 3 out of my children this year. Each year as the kids get older and their wants have higher price tags, I just shake my head and say “really…what can I afford to get you?” My three daughters love to camp, between them they have 6 children and significant others, so.. I put together a camping vacation. Gift certificates for 4 night camping, passes to the water park next to the campground and a splash cash card to spend any where on the property. It will give all of them something to look forward to and something to talk about later. I am already thinking about next year!
I gave my mother a framed collection of remastered photos of her and my dad.
The guitar I gave to my husband. I love to hear him play it. It is so very peaceful.
My favorite holiday gift that I have given was to my husband now, only a boyfriend at the time, LOL. It was a gift certificate to a music store and it gave him enough money to buy a drum set he had his eye on for most of the year. It was so great to see him open the envelope and then go with him to pick up the set. His eyes just sparkled.
My grandfather and I have a running joke for a gift: I give him a gift basket of his favorite condiments each year. One year it was salsas, another mustards, another jelly. Each year around this time he starts pestering me to know what this year’s basket will include!
[WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ’0 which is not a hashcash value.
The favorite gift I have given is a trip to Disney for my daughter for Christmas. She is such a joy in our lives and she was celebrating her 11th birthday on Christmas Eve so it was perfect. We had a magical week, she loved it.
My favorite gift I have given was my daughter’s American Girl Doll Samantha. My daughter fell in love with American Girl Dolls, but I couldn’t afford a new one for her. I searched on Ebay and Craig’s list for over 6 months and found Samantha just in time for Christmas. I purchased a new outfit and matching outfit for my daughter. My daughter was so suprised that Christmas.
My favourite holiday gift I have given has been some handsewn gingerbread men stuffies to my friends and family last year. Each one made with a specific twist to represent the individual person. My brother’s cat got hold of his and thean was heartbroken! Even called me up to tell me about it. I’m making him a replacement one this year. And a special catnip one for kitty :)
Marilize
([email protected])
that would be an ITouch i gave to my son, i dont recall ever makiing another person that happy with a gift
I bought some dear friends a giant gift basket of meats this year…because they are hard core no-carb dieters and I knew this would help get them through the holiday season!
The quilt that I made for DearHubz last year for Christmas. He was so appreciative and complimentary about it. He still shows it off every-time someone comes to the house whether they have already seen it or not. He makes me feel like a Billion Dollars.
Fav holiday gift I have given and why – probably a computer to Dad. For a man who retired before computers were in use in offices, he has really grasped everything – he now uses an ipad. I figure there is hope for me when I retire that I can stay up with technology!
Knitting lessons. It was fun for me and fun for them!
My nephew is a big Dallas Cowboy fan, so I gave him a Cowboy blanket throw and Cowboy ornament…he just loved it.
I like when I give a themed gift! I love the wine theme gift I gave last year! My mom really liked it.
My mom, sister and her family and my family have a tradition of giving a donation to honor each person in the group – it’s all done in secret until the big reveal at Christmas. The year my mom’s mother died, she gave my sister and I each a Visa card loaded with $100 from Grandma’s estate. We had no idea Grandma would have anything left. I used my money to buy a bunch of fabric, then spent the next year sewing blankets for linus quilts to be donated in honor of Mom and Grandma. It meant the world to Mom.
the bible i gave my husband after we had been married about 10 years. i told him in the inscription that i would follow him where ever God led him.
My favorite holiday gift that I’ve given would have to be anything handmade. Every year I make or buy a handmade gift…I find that there is so much more meaning, time and love that goes into everything that is created by hand.
I think the first year I made calendars for my family was the best gift(s) I ever gave. I personalize each month with pictures, quotes, and include everyone’s birthdays and anniversaries in it. That first year the reaction was priceless.
The best gift I’ve given was probably the quilt I made my little boy after he’d fallen in love with the story “the quiltmaker’s gift” He was SO happy to have his own special quilt.
Last year I gave my mom a personalized photo calendar that I spent a lot of time on. She really loved it, so I felt especially good about that gift.
It would either have to be the hand-painted sweatshirts we made one year for our families, or the Swedish weaving blanket I made my mother one year. Why? Because I’d rather put time and love into a gift than lots of money.
When I was first learning to crochet, I made a potholder for my grandmother. It was way too small to be useful, but she hung it as a decoration in her dining room.
My mom has always talked with fondness of riding her extended family’s horses during the summers when she was growing up and she often talks about how she misses riding…so this year I am giving her a day of horseback riding that I planned through a local stable! I am excited to give her this gift because I know she will be surprised and that it will bring back many happy memories!
Anything that we pick for our 3 kids from Santa. It is amazing to see their eyes on Christmas morning! Thanks and Happy Holidays!
One of the gifts that meant a lot to me was taking time to make a little gift tag or note to put on each present that I gave my boyfriend one year. For example, I gave him a new sled (we make a point of going once a year at least!) and the tag said something like “to: someone who makes me feel like a kid again” and on the fancy hot cocoa “To: someone who makes me melt” and so on – pretty cheesy but I wanted him to know that I was thinking about him with each gift.
My favorite gift Ive given is a paper mache monster i made for my son. It was holding gobs of money and the look on his face was priceless.
A BOOK, any kind of book, I’ve given reading books, cookbooks, childrens books, every book I have ever given has been thoroughly enjoyed by the recipient and I always write a little message inside the front cover that also has the date the book was given. One of my favorite childrens books to give is THE GIVING TREE, its wonderful ! I really don’t think you can go wrong with some kind of book !
mmm…Since I love crafting, I would say my favorite gift that I’ve given was handmade gift because it’s not only handmade but also it has love in it! Like I made cards for friends and family and my favorite was custom frame I made for my husband! He loves it!
Favorite holiday gift i’ve given would be a quilt I made last year for my sister. She’s always hinted to have one and was still SO surprised to actually receive it.
My favorite holiday gift I’ve given is a patchwork and embroidery quilt I just finished for my sister. She saw me working on it more than once and commented how much she liked it, but never asked who it was for. Will she ever be surprised when she sees I made it for her!!
A few years ago we gave our nieces and nephews socks…. Filled with dollars coins! I was beaing silly and we usually give money so I tried to find a creative way to do it. Turns out the oldest nephew loved his socks. He talked about them for awhile and would insist on wearing them at special occasions. I still think about how I barely even considered it part of the gift but how he got so much joy from it.
My favorite holiday gift I’ve given was a lap quilt I made for my husband, because he uses it every day in winter.
I think the best Holiday gift I ever gave was the horse I gave my daughter when she was twelve. She is 34 now and has her second horse which she rides almost every day. The horse I gave her when she was twelve lived until they were both 33 and gave both of us all the love she could and we gave her all the love we could. We both ride our new horses with her always in our memory.
My favorite holiday gift i’ve given is a necklace and bracelet that I made for my sister.
7th Day. Having a hard time finding all of the days. Up all night. Don’t let things get ahead of you. Love to win one of the days. They are all just wonderful
my favorite gift ever was a huge snowstorm! We could not get to our flight, we had homemade mas and cheese, fresh bread and real hot chocolate. We read new books, built a massive snowman and just loved being together with no phone or cable!!!!