The Joy of Giving Homemade Giftsby Laura Torres | More from this Blogger 24 Feb 2006 06:10 PM I make a lot of homemade gifts for my friends and family, and I encourage my children to do the same. There is always value in the process of creating and giving something on which you have spent a lot of thought and time, but sometimes the rewards are even greater. I made everyone in my sister's family personalized sock monkeys for Christmas this year. (See the Sock Monkey Family blog) I knew they would all like the monkeys, but I wasn't sure my 11-year-old nephew would be overly thrilled in the long run with a homemade stuffed monkey. I figured it would end up in the corner of his room with the laundry or shoved in a drawer underneath his Star Wars boxers.
But then my niece sent me this picture. Apparently, my nephew sleeps with the monkey every night and it goes wherever he goes. Sigh. My crafty aunt heart is full. My fifteen-year-old daughter also had a good experience giving homemade gifts over the holiday season. She was going to visit her dad, his wife and baby during Christmas break and didn't know what to bring for gifts She doesn't see them that often and wasn't sure what they would like or need. I helped her think up things she could make for them. It was a big undertaking because she had a heavy load at school, and needed a little assistance from me, but she ended up with some nice, meaningful gifts, that were all a hit. She made a cuddle blanket for her half-sister, a pillow with a beaded ocean scene for her step mom and drew a picture for her dad. Of course everyone loved what they got, but they loved the fact that she made the gifts even better. If you're kids are inclined at all to make homemade gifts, I would encourage them to do so. The rewards for the giver are sometimes even greater than those for the receiver. Learn more about Laura Torres  Laura Torres is the best-selling author of many books for kids and teens, and a party planner. Check out her website at lauratorres.com. Relevantfun tags ideas | children | homemade birthday party favors | Scrapbooking | christmas | parenting | Kids | family | dating | holidays User Comments WhiteLily (154) 25 Feb 2006 09:55 AMWhat a beautiful story and picture! I agree with you, Laura, about the value of spending time in creating something personal for someone. A cyber friend of mine from Canada (I live in Australia) is a wonderful card maker. She has sent me some beautiful hand made cards. I just love them and intend to frame them. Even though we have not met, we have really developed a friendship through our e-mails (which are usually personally decorated by each of us with clip art and photos and colourful backgrounds, just because!) and the cards. I had always loved making cards but had neglected that pasttime for awhile. My friend has inspired me to take up the craft again. I love your Sock Monkey - do you have a pattern for him? I may even start sewing again! My daughter is at Uni and I think she would absolutely love one... Thanks for sharing WhiteLily (154) 25 Feb 2006 09:58 AMOh - never mind, Laura. I just found your picture of a troop of monkeys and instructions for how to find the pattern :-) Community Tags gift, sewing, sock monkey Discuss this article
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