Ooopsie, I appear to have taken an unintentional blogging break for a couple of weeks. And at the risk of sounding like a right Debbie Downer, I'm back with a less-than-festive admission: I'm a gift-making Scrooge at Christmas! There, I said it...now please tell me I'm not alone!
It's not that I don't enjoy the festivities or the gifting aspect of the holiday, I do! But I don't enjoy the pressure to / expectation of sewing gifts for friends and family. There are just too many people to make for, meaning I'd either have to start earlier than I'm prepared to or pick 'favourites' which I just can't do. There's also the added factor that I don't much enjoy non-garment sewing and there's no way I have enough time or skill to sew clothes for others! So it's thoughtfully shop-bought gifts all around.
The only gifts I positively love making are for babies and toddlers, of which my family and close friends have produced over fifteen in two years! So making tiny Christmas gifts for tots is also out of the question, based on sheer quantity alone. But, I'm absolving myself of any guilt knowing that each little cherub gets something handmade for his/her birthday. I find gift-making for birthdays to be far more meaningful anyway...everyone gets presents for Jesus' birthday, but individual birthdays are more personal. In fact, just to prove I'm not totally selfish, here are some of the baby gifts I've made recently:
Anyway, enough about me! Are you a gift-making machine or a gift-making Scrooge at Christmas?
I'm a bit of both. I don't make things for friends, but I do make for my husband and sons. One son got a shirt, and the other son and husband got jeans - still making husband's jeans, which is distracting me from my vintage challenge :)
ReplyDeleteYou're an incredible woman!
DeleteI am totally with you! One year I agreed to make most of my boyfriends family crochet gifts and it was awful, I got them all done but didn't enjoy the process as I felt really pressured!
ReplyDeleteYep, the pressure takes all the fun away!
DeleteScrooge! Lol!!! I have a big family and there's just no way. I'd be sewing for Christmas all year. Like, I have 14 nieces and nephews alone!
ReplyDeleteWow, that's a HUGE family! I don't blame you :o)
DeleteI would love to make gifts, but it feels like there is no time. I very much admire those folks that every year come up with a clever homemade gift for friends and family that is not terribly time intensive AND they manage to plan ahead far enough to get it all done. I always feel like homemade gifts are the most special.
ReplyDeleteI know, how do they do it?!?
DeleteWhen I read about all the stress some sewing bloggers have when sewing for Christmas gifts, I'm very happy gift-giving for Christmas is not a tradition here in the Netherlands. Spending time with family is, of course, and it is a good practice to bring something if you are not being the host but that is usually wine, chocolate or something else edible, depending on the taste of the recipient(s). Which means that I'm usually off the hook for the making of gifts at this time of year.
ReplyDeleteThis year, there is one thing though. A blouse for my grandmother which I've been working on last week (which didn't go very well). I will see her on Christmas day so it would be very nice if the blouse were finished then.
What a lovely tradition, much better than gift-giving! I'm sure your grandmother's blouse turned out beautiful!
DeleteI'm a hand made gift grinch all year long. The person has to be knit/sew worthy and I do have friends and family who are. They end up getting amazing gifts, for others, I'd rather spend some money and very little time. My time is precious as is my labor.
ReplyDeleteYou've summed up my feelings perfectly!
DeleteI don't actually celebrate Christmas, but if I did, I'd be firmly in your camp! I'm admittedly very selfish with both my sewing and knitting. For me it's the feeling of a deadline - it takes all the joy out of making for me. And with so many people to potentially make for, I don't blame you one bit for being a gift-making Scrooge!
ReplyDeleteTime is just so precious!
DeleteI'm so with you, (I thought it was just me as everyone else seems to be churning out the gifts) and glad that it's not. I have made gifts in the past but now I don't enjoy the pressure and just keep thinking of lovely things for myself that I would prefer to be sewing…very selfish I know….oh well, on the upside my christmas dress is nearly finished!!!
ReplyDeleteHope you finished your Christmas dress in time ;o)
DeleteI've been really enjoying making gifts; in fact I made more than planned. I chose fast, fun stuff and things I wouldn't usually make for myself so it was enjoyable for me too! Adorable baby things, I'm wondering if I can squeeze in one more now...
ReplyDeleteYou're a better person than I ;o)
DeleteI am making a quilt for my Mum's cat and a cushion for my brother and his fiancee (with cats on). Apart from that never really make presents for people. It is a nice idea though but I never have enough time. Nice baby makes BTW. x
ReplyDeleteThanks! A family of cat lovers then?
DeleteI simply love it all!
ReplyDeleteAaaw, thanks!
DeleteI don't sew for Christmas but I sew gifts as and when through the year...less stressful and nice surprises. My family also test out makes before I teach them...V handy! Samantha x
ReplyDeleteOooh, that is handy...and your approach is much more manageable!
DeleteTotally with you, my sewing time is precious. I am in an awkward situation with a friend who keeps saying infront of her daughter that I will make the girl a dress. I have no desire to and despite making this clear she has several times brought it up. She seems to think as I love sewing I'll love making her something! No No No.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean Louise. I sew for my kids and myself, that's it. I have a friend who suddenly decided I'm her personal tailor and actually went out and purchased something that not only did not fit but looked awful on her so I had to just change the style altogether. it was long and although she offered to pay, I said no. It was time I could've spent on my own projects, I can't get that back. I already have a full time job, I sew for pleasure, not profit.
DeleteThat's just it, time. I barely have enough for myself. If you had a friend who enjoyed cooking you wouldnt expect them to cook your dinner for you so why with sewing. One man I know asked my sew up his ripped trousers!
DeleteYou both make excellent points! I've had workmates ask me to make them something I'm wearing that they like, or to alter/mend their clothes, or to make them curtains etc! When I politely decline, they act all shocked and confused...surely I have nothing better to do than to sew for them!?! People who don't sew don't realise the time/effort that goes into it I think, hence they don't feel bad asking I guess!
DeleteLast year I made gifts/clothing for my family, and it was a disaster! I think if you planned it and made gifts through out the year it would be enjoyable. In the end I stayed up the night before christmas getting it all finished and was super grumpy and tired the next day. This year I just made my parents small accessories and thats enough for me :P
ReplyDeleteYes, I think planning is key if you want to pull it off enjoyably!
DeleteI agree, it's bad enough getting the Xmas shopping done. Who needs more stress with sewing presents. I sew gifts at other times of the year and made the itty bitty dress too. The fabrics you've chosen are adorable.
ReplyDeleteWe sounds very alike in this respect then! And thanks ;o)
DeleteThose little baby clothes are just darling. Ocassionally I make gifts but it all depends on time and inspiration. Your idea of birthday makes is a perfect compromise.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
DeleteOh a Scrooge definitely, just selfish sewing most of the year! Your baby things are so cute though!
ReplyDeleteHigh five, sista! ;o)
DeleteWhat about when you do find time to sew Christmas gifts and they're not appreciated. I made my sister-in-law a lovely wool cape last year and got a lukewarm reception. I only sew for myself now!
ReplyDeleteThis...so much! I think originally this is what put me off doing it...sewing gifts for people and then never seeing them wear/use them!
DeleteLast year, as a new sewer, I made dino tails for my nephews. Both were worn for Halloween this year which makes me feel pretty damn awesome. This year, my brothers-in-law were the only ones receiving handmade gifts. I made them dino tails too! For the most part though, I don't consider myself practiced enough to make everyone wonderful gifts. My immediate family though, is super appreciative of homemade gifts.
ReplyDeleteThat's fantastic and so lovely to see them get used more than once!!!
DeleteI had every intention of being a gift-making machine. I bought the fabric to make two kimonos for friends, a festive scout for my mum and a dress for my nan. But time keeps running away from me and the dress is the only that's going to get made and that'll be a rush as I only got her measurements yesterday.
ReplyDeleteI have made two hampers and the majority of a scarf though.
Wow, you are a gift-making machine...so generous!
DeleteI only make for people I know will like/appreciate them (bit rude, but there you are!) I think the kiddie stuff is a great idea, my girls love what I make for them. Thanks for checking out my lace top, I wore it on Saturday with lots of compliments. Jo x
ReplyDeleteI think it's sensible only making for those who will appreciate! Your lace top is lovely :o)
DeleteI love to make gifts for other people. But I too hate the pressure and often don't have time. I will always make one special gift for my mum or sister as I know they appreciate it. I do make gifts for birthdays if I know what that person likes. Often it is easier to just go to the shops!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you have a good system there!
DeleteHahaha, totally a scrooge here too. First of all, I'm too selfish. I work full time and I don't have time to sew all the things I want for me and my kids and my house. Second, other people can be surprisingly callus about handmades and I don't feel like they're giving me enough accolades (this might come back to selfishness too). Third, who has time (again, selfish!)? Thoughfully store-bought items all around here as well. I love your gifts though! You're all like, "I'm a scrooge except I did make a dozen handmade outfits for my nieces and nephews ... " HA. Not! As a real scrooge, I say you are far too unselfish!
ReplyDeleteHaha, you're so funny...but I'm in total agreement!
DeleteLovely! Can you tell me where you got the small floral w/ grey background on the first reversible dress?
ReplyDeleteThanks Maura! It's this one here, which appears to be sold out I'm afraid, but if you google the name you should be able to find it elsewhere - https://misformake.myshopify.com/collections/fabric/products/floret-stains-mulberry
DeleteI used to be a gift-making machine (mainly knitted garments) but this year I was not very productive even for myself. I've made a couple of sewn things but I have to say that I'm more of a Scrooge. I've decided that I was not going to freak out about it this year. I have enough stress in other areas ;)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, no need to bring stress into our hobby!
DeleteThat red riding hood dress is adorable! What lucky kiddies in your family! I usually turn into a scrooge around the mid december "what was I thinking" mark, but in general feel better making stuff rather than buying stuff :)
ReplyDeleteMaking stuff is definitely rewarding and I do enjoy it, but in small doses ;o)
DeleteI'm exactly the same at Christmas! We have way too many people to be making stuff for everyone. I have made things in the past for birthdays and when new babies are born. I'm hoping to knit my mum a cardigans for Mother's Day. Hopefully it works out.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you'll manage it Kat! ;o)
DeleteI love giving handmade gifts, but I'm epically awful at managing my time, so I didn't get a single one done this year! But I was able to compromise and buy a few handmade gifts for other people... it gives me an excuse to buy things from favorite Etsy shops that I can't justify purchasing for myself. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea...buying handmade gifts is a great compromise I reckon!
DeleteFor a gift-making scrooge you certainly pulled some doozies out the bag, Marie! Just love that Red Riding Hood dress. I don't think I could have parted with that! x
ReplyDelete