The Gift

Well as everyone knows gift giving is getting out of control.  It seems like I shop all year long now to find just the right one.  Not to mention that the gifts are more and more hi tech (code for expensive).  And you never know if that person actually likes the gift, much less uses it.  I decided to put a stop to it all.  Don't get me wrong, I still give gifts.  I love giving, but I just want my gifts to be more meaningful. Something that shows I put time and effort into it, not just something I picked up, usually at the last minute.  I love to sew and crochet.  They are two hobbies of mine.  I don't sew as much since it's not as easy to transport a sewing machine, as well as, all the necessary supplies, everywhere I go.  I love being crafty and artsy, in my head, but my artsy skills usually don't turn out as I planned.  But I can crochet (which is very travel friendly).  I first learned when I was 6 and my grandmother taught me how to build just a basic chain.  It was mostly to keep me busy and out of her hair while she did other things.  I picked up on it quickly and before you knew it, eveyone had a chain necklace, braclet, and anklet (even my grandpa and uncles.)  I didn't do much more with it again until last year.  You see I have many nieces and nephews so I couldn't really afford to spend a lot on presents for them ( I come from a big family).  I was the one that always bought them a book or craft/art type project for the holidays or birthdays.  Well, that started to add up too, so I thought, "Why don't I just make everyone something?"  I have a client (I'm also a hair artist) that crochets things and I loved her stuff.  I already knew how, I just needed a refresher course.  She suggested I get this simple book that broke down all the different stitches and was very simple to follow.  Well, I did and now I'm on a roll.  Some might even say obcessed with this crochet hobby.  I've made scarves, hats, pot scrubbers, face scrubbers, wash clothes, koozies and much more.  While my stuff is not as terribly elaborate as others, I do love the results and everyone is so appreciative of their gift.  I've also found yarn, cotton, and wool that is organic and made from recycled material.  I get all my patterns free off the internet from very talented people who are generous enough to share their ideas.  The main website I use is www.crochetpatterncentral.com .  If you need to you can just google free crochet patterns and it will be one of the hundreds that come up (it's towards the top though).  In my discoveries of free crochet patterns I came across the best site yet.  I haven't made any of it so far, but I'm super excited and here's why.  This company has the patterns for free or you can purchase the products if you like.  The website is www.myrecycledbags.com .  It is by far the best site I've see yet.  This company uses the plastic bags from grocery stores and old t-shirs to crochet the most awesome things.  They make scrubbies, purses, totes, bags and more.  And they have their patterns online so that you can make them too.  I love it and can't say enough great things about them. I look forward to making my own recycled bags.  So maybe you can't crochet, knit, or sew.  You can always learn.  It's super easy and their are plenty of resources out there to help.  Some are pretty cheap and some even free.  But maybe these aren't your kind of thing.  Think about something crafty that you might be into and google ways you can turn that hobby into gifts for friends and family.  Everyone loves getting gifts, but handmade ones are even more special.  Most of the time you can turn everyday household items into a work of art.  You'll be helping to save the planet and making someone's day all at once.  Now that puts a big smile on my face! ;-)