Do people really like hand-made gifts?

[firebirdgold]

Or are they just polite about it? I was thinking of making my future father-in-law a nice long scarf in his favorite soccer team''s colors. I enjoy knitting for other people, but do people actually like/use handmade christmas gifts? And is Portland cold enough for a scarf?

 

[SoonIHope]

Depends on how good at knitting you are!

If it really looked like a nice scarf, I would definitely love & appreciate it MORE than a store bought one, but if it looks obviously homemade, I probably wouldn''t (not that I''d say that of course). But it really is the thought that counts, and knowing you put that much work into it would make me very appreciative of the nice gesture even if I didn''t end up wearing it much. Buuuut that entirely depends on the person. I am a great keeper of things that have sentimental value even though I don''t particularly like/use them, which drives my fiance CRAZY, because "so and so gave it to me!!" but more practically minded people might think the worth of the gift is just based on whether you use it.

 

[poptart]

I think as long as the scarf looks nice then people appreciate it more than store bought gifts. Maybe you could ask your fiance if you think his dad would like it. The sentiment is so sweet, so I am sure he will really love the work you put into it. And yes, Portland is cold enough for a scarf... at least to me. It can get pretty chilly there!

*M*

 

[KimberlyH]

I think it depends. I have a friend who makes baskets every year w/ cookies and beef jerky (homemade) among other things and it all tastes gross so it ends up in the garbage (so sad, she tries so hard but it's just not good!) But my sister makes me scrapbooks (I get to insert the pictures) and I LOVE them because I'm so not artsy-craftsy and she is a master. For Christmas she's making me a black and white wedding album that I get to add the pictures to, I can't wait!

If you're good at knitting the scarf sounds awesome. When in doubt ask his wife/partner or your fiance.

 

[firebirdgold]

I haven''t done any knitting for a couple of years but, fortunately for the recipients, I''m naturally talented at most yarn related hobbies. Without any real practice I can pick up and do a quite decent job at knitting and weaving. If I make it all one color, I''ll probably do a checkerboard pattern since I''m just as good at the purl stitch as the knit stitch.

I do have an ulterior motive. Not only do I enjoy knitting for other people, but it''s a good excuse to watch tv after dinner. As long as it''s a repeating pattern and not counting stitches for an armhole or something, I can knit and watch tv at the same time. My fi doesn''t criticize me, but I feel kind of embarrassed that I''m sitting on the couch watching tv while he''s doing something productive like reviewing a journal paper or working on a research project.

 

[Cehrabehra]

everyone is different, but my personally I prefer them! It might not be my taste or I might not like the color or design, but I will *infinitely* adore a scarf made by a friend even if I don''t like it, than a scarf I don''t like that they bought. The one that is made I will grow to love and definitely keep, the one that is bought I might return.

 

[Mara]

i don''t apply much importance to material goods with emotion, so for me a homemade gift does not typically mean more or less than a store bought gift. i have a bunch of scarves and things that my mom knitted for me and i wear those based on if they go with my outfit. hehee. same as with storebought stuff. so i think it depends on the person and the gift. if my darling GREG went out of his way to make me something and it was something totally out of his element but he did it just for me (aka he went and took a knitting class to make me a scarf), yes that would mean more because it is just so sweet, but if it''s someone who just loves knitting and made me a scarf along with 10 other people for xmas, i would be like thanks but i wouldn''t feel like it was any more or less special. hehehe. i don''t know if that makes any sense!

i figure, give people what you like and what you think they might like. gifts are hit or miss anyway.

 

[decodelighted]

I think it totally depends too ...

Last year I got an amazing scarf knitted by my then Future Grandma-In-Law. It was PERFECT for me ... a great length ... the best width for funky casual wear ...a great color combo for my skin/hair tone ... I have WORN THE HECK out of it.

I''ve also been the recipient of HORRIFIC acrylic monstrocities ... in colors not found in nature ... and shapes not worn in this or the previous DECADE. Dickies? Ponchos? Crochet''d Doo-Rags? Do people USE toaster cozys anymore?? Or Toilet Paper Covers?

 

[Maria D]

Date: 11/14/2006 2:52:21 PM
Author: decodelighted
I think it totally depends too ...

Last year I got an amazing scarf knitted by my then Future Grandma-In-Law. It was PERFECT for me ... a great length ... the best width for funky casual wear ...a great color combo for my skin/hair tone ... I have WORN THE HECK out of it.

I''ve also been the recipient of HORRIFIC acrylic monstrocities ... in colors not found in nature ... and shapes not worn in this or the previous DECADE. Dickies? Ponchos? Crochet''d Doo-Rags? Do people USE toaster cozys anymore?? Or Toilet Paper Covers?

This made me laugh out loud because I come from a family of women who just loved to crochet the day away. The T.P. covers were absolutely out of this world (and I don''t mean that in a good way). The were made with cheap dolls stuck on top to give the effect of a doll wearing a crocheted ball gown where the hoop skirt underneath is the toilet paper! They made all the things you mention deco, plus things like crocheted calendar holders, crocheting onto dishtowels so that you can loop them over the stove handle, crocheted pillowcovers, crocheted baskets with crocheted flowers inside them....I should post a picture of that one!

Anyway, I also have lots of beautifully made useful things (including scarves). If you''re good at it, I''m sure it will be appreciated Indie. My knitting/crocheting is just awful

. I can never keep consistent tension.

 

[galeteia]

Date: 11/14/2006 4:31:30 PM
Author: Maria D

Date: 11/14/2006 2:52:21 PM

Author: decodelighted
Or Toilet Paper Covers?

This made me laugh out loud because I come from a family of women who just loved to crochet the day away. The T.P. covers were absolutely out of this world (and I don't mean that in a good way). The were made with cheap dolls stuck on top to give the effect of a doll wearing a crocheted ball gown where the hoop skirt underneath is the toilet paper!

My grandmother did those too, and that's EXACTLY what those 'poofy' wedding gowns with the mini bustles all over that are so popular right now remind me of. Every time I see one, visions of the TP holders dance in my head.

If they were just a shade of lime green or peach, the resemblance would be beyond uncanny...

 

[perry]

Depends on the person, the situation, and the gift.

I have recieved homemade things that have no meaning. I have recieved home made things that are phenominal, and I have given home made things.

I have a brother who is a woodworker. One year he gave me a clock. It is great - stands out - and I still use it (have it on display).

I have a piece of pottery that if phenominal as well from another freind. A few more things were utiliarian - but appreaciated. Finaly, there was the things that I don''t even remember except that they had no value to me.

In my case; many years ago while in college and without much money I gave my little brother (perhaps 10) a set of "ropes" for Xmass. I had backspliced or looped the ends on various lengths, and had one rope with a turks head at the end. I also did a similar thing for a nephew several years ago.

My younger brother tells everyone to this day (decades later) that those ropes were the best Xmass gift he ever got, he played with them all the time, still has them, and still uses them (his deer hunting ropes - one of them is perfect for draging a deer out of the woods).

My nephew was initially less appreaciative until he took them to boyscouts and learned that not just anyone could do splicing like that (I was way beyond what was in the boyscouts manuals) - or tie a turks head. He never did learn how to do all the stuff I had done on those ropes - but did gain an appreaciation. Like my younger brother - he still has them and still uses them for certain things.

So home made can be great - and is not just for gals.

Perry