Handmade gifts are going to be a huge part of our holiday gift giving this year. Some of these will be homemade by us and some will be handmade by others. As much as I may wish it was different…I do not posses all of the crafty skills I would like. There. I said it. So with that being said, I have a feeling that many of you are also unable to make all of your gifts this year. The next best thing for Jillian and I, are craft fairs and Etsy.com.
Local craft fairs are near and dear to our hearts. You can find artisans making works of art, one of a kind pieces, or inexpensive craft items perfect for gift giving. We love that the money spent typically stays in the local economy. We also enjoy handling the items, asking the artisans and crafters questions about their work, and let’s face it, getting ideas. Most of the timel items at craft fairs are reasonable priced and the crafters may deal with you towards the end of the day. Jillian and I have both experienced crafters stopping us at the end of the day, and offering an item we had previously admired at a lower price so they don’t have to pack it up.
Even though the ambiance of craft fairs is right up our alley, we realize time is sometimes an issue. Etsy.com is one of the best places we have found online. No contest, hands down one of the best places to shop ever. It is a craft fair everyday. The prices range from “how can they afford to make this that cheap,” to “are they actually thinking that is going to sell that high?” Sometimes you don’t have to pay shipping, but most often shipping costs need to be figured in. I have discovered most shipping costs are reasonable, and sometimes less than gas driving to craft fairs would be.
Another feature that Etsy.com has, is the shop local button. I look locally first, and then expand. You can even sign up for their newsletter so selections are sent to your email. I didn’t understand the vast array of items available until I began receiving the newsletter.
One huge bonus to both craft fairs and Etsy.com lately, is the amount of environmentally aware products. Items such as knitted swiffer sweeper covers, reusable fabric dryer sheets, and everything in between are great gifts. Repurposed or upcycled items abound as well. We LOVE these! Jillian and I will be doing several columns about upcycling and repurposing. The usable works of art we have found lately from recycled materials is wonderful. Some great gift examples are baby blankets made from recycled baby clothes, beautiful girls dresses made from vintage pillow cases, purses made from recycled sweaters, and toys and stuffed animals made from almost anything.
Check out Etsy.com and watch for those local craft fairs, which shouldn’t be too difficult since it is craft fair season! So Rancho Cordova, are you one of those talented artisans on Etsy we are talking about? Have you found some great sellers you would like to share? Or is your church, school or business having a craft fair? Please post a comment and share the details with our readers. Tomorrow we will give you some great ideas to make your own homemade gifts.
Until tomorrow,
Brandy and Jillian
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I’m trying not to comment on these everyday, but I am getting so excited reading your articles! I think they are awesome. I don’t know how to knit but last year one of my FAVORITE Christmas gifts I was given was a “green” knitted item. A close weave knit Starbucks style coffee sleeve. Now I dont have to throw away an extra piece of cardboard twice a week when I get Starbucks. I know, I should use a Travel Mug and have them fill it but I can’t leave that in my car so I don’t forget it like I do my sleeve. I’m making progress…
Go ahead, comment every day please.
Hello Rick! It’s totally awesome for you to comment… Thats a great thing you got going with ur coffee sleeve. And I can also agree that these articles are awesome.
Well, this weekend Rosemont High School is having their harvest festival. Which includes crafters and a car show and lots of other family-fun! Its Sat. from 9a.m-2p.m. Should be a total ride!
thank you so much for your article. I think that a handmade gift is so much nicer to receive. If the person made it for you, they were thinking about you the whole time that they worked on it, that is a very good thing! We all need good thoughts sent our way. I am also in the process of starting a relationship with etsy.com, I have a craft that I will be selling on the website, necklace scarves. Look for them soon. Becky G. Rancho Cordova
I also think making home made gifts are a great example for children. In a society where Christmas and other holidays are so commercialized it’s easy for anyone, especially kids, to forget the true spirit of the holiday. The gifts my parents have kept and treasured over the years aren’t the little nick nacks my sister and I purchased for them as children, it’s the home made Santa Claus my sister created and the ornaments we made from clay in 2nd grade. While my painting of Rudolph painted with clumsy 4 year old fingers might not be distinguishable to anyone other than my mother, she beams every year when she discovers it among the other Christmas decorations.
Does anyone have any home made holiday traditions they practice with their kids?
Cookies, lots of cookies.
I happen to know that the next column will be discussing that very same thing. I’d like to suggest the gift of brownies. They’re always a hit in our house. Always.
Yea! We love all of your comments! Rick the coffee sleeve is great. We have seen them made with thrifted sweaters. No knitting required. It will be in today’s post #4. We seem to be on the same wavelength!
XMiranda thank you for the info on the Harvest Festival it definitely sounds like frugal family fun, and a way to get some gift buying out of the way at the same time.
Becky, we could not agree more about homemade gifts. Out of all the gifts we received growing up, the ones we have really held onto are the homemade ones!
Jillian and I are so happy you are enjoying the columns. We are very much enjoying bringing them to you! There is so much more to come!
Brandy, thanks much for the great articles and sparking such a lively chat.
Thanks Michelle! I completely agree. I have 3 kids at home, and I know that some of the things we do as traditions will make their way into their families as well. Boy, mine sure did. We try to recreate traditions from both sides of our families. As children their was very little money so we made ornaments to give out with our baked goods. We would make cookies and fudge, put them on trays or baskets we found at garage sales, and include homemade ornaments. My Mom’s bread dough ornaments we a hit and used for many years. Very little cost involved and made with love!
Looking around my house…there is child art everywhere! What a self esteem boost for your children to see their work displayed as proudly as you would display a collectors item. Great stuff everyone! Keep it coming please!
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