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 8, 10, and 12. 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 12 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?
Co-editor, Stacey Woods is an on-location, natural light lifestyle photographer for the Tampa Bay, FL area. Her favorite subjects are expecting mamas, the tiniest of babies, and children of all ages. Her online photo journal can be found at Stacey Woods Photography. Stacey’s own husband and children (a 6-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter) are her greatest source of inspiration… and laughter!
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