Why Handmade: Holiday Shopping

by Lynn Mohney of Prunella’s Workshop

If you are like me, you have just started to realize it is time to do your holiday shopping. I have no real excuse, as I have been preparing merchandise in anticipation of the holiday season since August, so it should be no real surprise to me. Nonetheless, I realized today just how close Thanksgiving, Chanukah, Christmas, Winter Solstice, and/or any other winter holiday you may celebrate are to us. It was not the calendar causing this revelation. I saw snow on a car bumper.

Snow Birds North Square by Lucie Wicker Photography

I like to make people gifts. There is something special about putting the time and effort into making something for the people you love. It is deeply personal and shows how much you care. I have learned my lesson the hard way, though. I need to start planning early, much earlier than mid November. I have spent more than one Christmas Eve, paintbrush or torch in hand, screaming in frustration as I have yet to finish a project. (I will let you in on a secret. No matter how careful a metal smith may be, every piece of metal they touch will melt or break on Christmas Eve.)

As You Wish Morse Code Bracelet by Lush Beads

If I do not make the gift myself, I try to shop handmade items. I confess, some presents, such as video game consoles, are not handmade. However, when the opportunity presents itself, I prefer the quality and uniqueness of items handcrafted from small businesses.

I also consider gifts encouraging the recipient to create their own handmade items. A perfect example, instead of purchasing puppets to go with a puppet theater for the children, I put together a bin of items to assist in making their own. I included paper plates, socks, paper bags, googly eyes, yarn, popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, and an assortment of other items. Other examples could include yarn or a knitting pattern, a tool such as a hammer or saw, or fancy paper.

Felted Wool from Stray Notions

What will you be giving your family and friends this holiday season? Where will you shop?

We hope we will see you at the 2013 Boston Handmade Holiday Gallery located in Brookline Village at 2 Brookline Place directly across from the Brookline Village Green Line T Stop. Merchandise will include hand crafted jewelry, toys, clothing and accessories, home goods, art, photography, and so much more!