Certainly, it had been a hard year for our family. Mom was in her second year of college, and Dad had been injured and out of work for several months. My sisters and I were 4, 6, and 8. Christmas was upon us and I’m quite sure that there was barely enough money to go around that month – not to mention any leftover money for Christmas presents. I don’t remember what fantastic new toy I had obliviously asked for that year (so surely I wasn’t scarred for life from not having received said toy), but I remember vividly what was in that shoebox, that modest box wrapped and placed under the tree with its red paper ribbon and homemade tag: Hair bows, dozens of them, all handmade by my mom. Curled ribbons, spirals and turns, tucked under and hot-glued to barrettes. What made them special is that Mom had made every one of them with her own two hands. I remember being a little disappointed at first, as sad as I am to admit that to this day! But at 8 years old, a girl doesn’t quite appreciate circumstances or intentions. And certainly not economics!
But as an adult, I certainly get it. I look back on our “poorest Christmas ever!” as Mom now refers to it, as one of my favorites ever. Why? Because of those beautiful hair barrettes and what they stood for.
All she wanted was for us girls to have beautiful gifts that year. She and Dad couldn’t afford to get us the latest and greatest piece of plastic, or those well-made jeans, or a puppy. But my Mom was resourceful. She was determined, creative. She was always an avid crafter so she put her talents to good use and gave us the greatest gift – the one she didn’t even realize she was wrapping up in that shoebox: the gift of HERSELF. Her heart, her abilities, her time. See we knew she stayed up late nights working on these little treasures. We could hear her sewing machine hum late at night, and smell the distinct odor of melting hot glue in the next room. She’d put time and so much effort into creating those beautiful little fabric ties of varying sizes, lengths and widths, even matching up ribbon colors with clothes we already had hanging in our closets. I’m sure this project was exhausting for her – considering all she and Dad were juggling anyhow.
So in honor of my Mom’s box of hair ties and the priceless, humbling lesson it taught me, this year I plan to pass on the tradition of making something beautiful with your hands – and your heart – and giving it to someone you love. Maybe even someone you don’t know. But definitely for all the right reasons. Remember, it’s not a “gift” if you just keep it to yourself. :) Happy Holidays, all!
What are your special gifts, and how do you plan on sharing them with your family/friends/coworkers/community/church/complete and total strangers this season?
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
I LOVE THIS POST!!! Thank you for sharing…I’m attempting a semi-handmade Christmas for my kids this year and I hope these gifts can make some of these same memories for them!
Growing up I was into American Girl dolls, but this was before the big stores, before Mattel bought them, and when they only had Kirsten, Samantha, and Molly and they each only had three outfits. At that time they offered patterns for the dresses. My grandmother painstaking made each outfit for me. At the time, she was getting older and had arthritis. I didn\’t expect all the little details. The cross stitching on the bodice and tiny trim on the cuffs. But she did it all.
My niece now has her first American Girl doll. This year I am making her a couple outfits using the same 20 year old patterns. I am just finishing up a nightgown with the crosshatching on the bodice and tiny trim on the cuffs. And I like to think my grandmother would be proud.
I LOVED your post. Thank you for such a wonderful Christmas perspective. I wish I were more creative but I can craft with the best of them. So here is what we have been up to in our house this holiday season.
http://web.me.com/josh.wolff/Adoring_Audrey/Blog/Entries/2009/12/16_Santa’s_Workshop.html
Your mom sure was ahead of the times… just look at how popular these headbands are today. Great post!
Stacey I’ve said it before, but I just adore your heart. What a beautiful article, and important reminder to us all. LOVE the image as well ;)
One of my favorite handmade gifts I’ve given are my quilts. I’m no seamstress, but I put oh so many hours into those blankets. I love going to my moms, or a friends, to see that mis-matched piece of fabric on their couch or bed. They appreciated the thought, even though the outcome wasn’t quite Martha Stewart.
Xoxo to you friend!
beautiful post. tears in my eyes. i had the same experience as a child. my father made us doll beds for our dolls. those are cherished and loved and I look back on our ‘poorest christmas’ ever with such joy and love – hhmmmm maybe I can take back all this STUFF i’ve bought for my kids LOL Thank you for sharing.
Courtney
Beautiful story & photo. Thanks for sharing it. While it’s not handmade, I am sharing my gift of photography this Christmas. My normally very healthy grandfather was pretty sick a few months ago & it really wore on our family (he has now made a full recovery). My grandparents are the glue of our family. It has been years since my grandparents had there picture made, so I suggested to my grandmother that she should let me take a photo of them & she could frame it for everyone for Christmas. She loved the idea & it has taken a lot of stress off of her too. I printed, framed & wrapped them for her. It will definitely be something my family will remember. I love that feeling of providing something so special to all of them.
So true! We had a few Christmas like that too. :) The past two years (and this year again) I’ve made all my close family (including parents, siblings, cousins, aunts/uncles and their significant others) answer a short set of get-to-know-you questions (different ones every year), and then I scrapbook (digitally) their answers with photos of them from that year. Then everybody gets a copy of everyone else’s page for the album I started them with the first year. It’s a huge hit every time! And I know I’m making something we’ll look back on for years, and probably our kids too. It’s a TON of time to do, but totally worth it. :)
That is a fabulous post. My 6yo, just this morning, made me realize he doesn’t have any idea what the “season of giving” is all about- he looked at me like I was crazy when I asked him what he wanted to give his brother for Christmas.
It’s hard for me to find things to make for my boys, besides scrapbook pages, so I’m making them both their own library book bags this year, with their names ironed on and all that. I’m buying the fabric tomorrow. :) Last year I made ornaments for each household. This year, I hate to say, I haven’t made anything.
Great post… beautiful story. This year is hard for me, personally this year, so I’m giving gifts of time as well as “photo” gifts that I create myself. Feels so good to create and give… Merry Christmas to you!
I loved this post. I was poor as a child and feel like my children have so much. Need to find a way to do something like this and give them something more of me.
Just love this post!! Such a great story :-)
This year I am giving the gift of portrait sessions to family and friends…that is if the weather would ever cooperate. I keep scheduling the mini session day only to have mother nature step in. Looks like every one is getting snow family pictures this year..lol :-)
beautiful post. thanks stacey for this reminder.
Stacey, reading this caused the tears to roll down our faces! Mom and I were talking about that same Christmas this evening and remembering how difficult it was for us because we couldn’t afford a big Christmas for our girls that year. I am still amazed at how creative your Mother is and the things she can come up with! She is truly a treasure to us all and we are blessed beyond measure to have her! I’m so proud of you for remembering the “important things” that mean so much more than anything money can buy. It’s a treat for me just to watch the excitement in the eyes of my grandchildren as they open their presents and to realize that these little ones are the best presents any Grandfather could ever hope to have! See you all in a few days!
Love, Dad.
Thank you all. I’m glad so many of you feel the same way! And I’m excited to see your handmade gifts! Please do share photos when you’re all done!
Mara, those links are perfect – thank you! And you’ve done a fantastic job on your projects. I love your silhouette pillow especially. I bookmarked a few of your projects as well! ;)
Stephanie, I remember those early AG days as well – and I have a feeling your grandmother is extremely proud of what you’re giving of yourself this year!! You’re making me wish I could sew. :)
Tisha, Stacey, Tammy, I’m also giving the gift of photography and albums this year (as always). Giving photographs is always my way of showing love, and it’s always so appreciated too! Hey, with two photographers in the family, what else would they expect to receive?
Trude, what a fantastic idea! I’m sure everyone appreciate the time you’ve put into each page, and will cherish those details for years and years! I wish I had the patience for scrapbooking still… I used to love it so!
Lauren, isn’t her headband gorgeous? It’s handmade as well (not by me!) but by my dear friend Amelia Hambrook. You can find all sorts of yummy hair things at her etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Millylillyrose I just received a few new pieces for Lila today and can’t wait to photograph her in them!
Angie, I’m so impressed! I’d love to see photos of your quilts! One of my most treasured possessions is a quilt that my grandma made me when I was 18. It’s completely hand-stitched (and the tiniest of stitches) and as soft as can be. She said it’s because she made it with love. (swoon) Over the years, her eyesight has worsened and her medicines cause her hands to shake, and so she can’t pick up her quilting anymore. How I’d love to learn how to quilt so that I could make her something in return! And… I adore YOUR heart as well, sweet lady. xox
Aileen, Abbey, Courtney and Heather – thank you so much for your sweet comments.
Dad, for some reason I just saw this morning that you posted a comment last night! But gosh when I read it I started to cry again too. I wonder who passed along got that trait?! ;) Even though it seemed hard at the time, we’re actually very blessed to have been taught such important lessons at a young age. You and Mom are such an inspiration to us girls – thank you for having the forethought to teach us life’s lessons in a gentle way. And of course the twinkle in your eye watching the kids at Christmas matches the twinkle in their eye when they see their Popaw Pat and Nammie and run into your arms! So excited to see you soon. xoxo
One year was especially lean. We got our tree on Christmas Eve (free by then) and my father made a wooden kitchen set for Sister and me…it was olive green, and handpainted. We ADORED it and it gave us MANY hours of joy.
I share my photography as a gift. In the past I have sewed bags for loved ones, there are lots of ideas. Family, memories and meaning are the best gifts of all!
http://www.penn-fam.blogspot.com
I remember this Christmas, and I also remember her sewing bears for all three of us girls. Mine was made out of Dad’s childhood bedspread. ;)
Not only were bears made for us, but for every child in her Sunday School class. I remember falling asleep at her feet with my head on bags of Poly-Fill, only to wake hours later and find her foot still pressing the pedal of the sewing machine.
Thank you for putting that Christmas into words. Tears poured down my cheeks as well. I love you.
I have finally completed a whirlwind of a week with 16 (8-9yr.olds) third graders…whew! It was so relaxing and refreshing as I sat down tonight to read TCM. Stacey, this is a beautiful post. My mother was also one who created many handmade things…she amazes me with her talent behind a sewing machine! I am working on learning more myself. Our family of four is currently having a “poor” Christmas…it is very humbling, yet truly enlightening. God has blessed us with no health issues and family and friends who love us. These are the GIFTS I truly treasure.
Melissa, I share my photography as a gift as well. In fact, that’s what the majority of my friends and family receive (and have come to expect now!). And that’s just the way I like it.
Aileen, thank you my dear! xo Hope your family had a wonderful Christmas!
Nicky, your library bags sound like wonderful ideas, and I’m sure your boys will love them! You keep them too, and save them to give to their children someday. I know they will be treasures. :)
Thea, the GIFTS you have are what many rich people dream of. I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas!
Trish, who had any idea that THAT Christmas would be the one to stick out in our memories?? I’m sure Mom and Dad wanted to forget it many times over the years, but it really made an impression on me (and you and Amy as well, obviously). I still have my pink and green bear, and one leftover Sunday School class bear (that now lives on Parker’s bed). ;) I love you too!! xox