Making a list and...

checking it twice is the mode I'm in now. I'm finally beginning my Christmas shopping. We've scaled way back on gift giving. The boys will each get one item they really want, and a few small things. In years past they would always end up with 7 or 8 gifts. I never felt good about it, I always felt it to be excessive.

Now that I'm holding firm to our 'few gifts' I'm aware how the world at large sees me. I'm backwards for having this philosophy. I've found it's a point that sets me apart from the world, something I've grown to appreciate more and more each year I mature. I find the points that set us apart from the world are the points that are the strongest witnesses for God. I'm grateful that He uses these subtle areas.

He's used gift giving to change me. For years I've seen our family, and nation as wasteful. I felt as if I was on a merry-go-round that wouldn't stop, and I was too afraid to jump. The economy has allowed the merry-go-round to stop or at least slow down enough that I don't mind jumping. Whew...I can catch my breath.

I feel a great deal less stress about the whole gift buying, giving thing than I ever have before. I'm extending the downsizing to all the people the boys want to thank as well. Several blogs I read have ideas for homemade gifts, we've taken their lead and jumped off the merry-go-round for the much slower bandwagon of homemade items. We'll be making more gifts this year than in years past. We're using resources we have already. The first resource is an overabundance of ripe bananas in the freezer. We plan to make banana bread for all their teachers, scout leaders, piano teachers, coaches, bus driver ect... We're headed to Walmart to buy fabric for them to sew, on the machine, a simple bag to slip the bread into and tie with a ribbon.

For family we are taking a suggestion my mom gave me. Several years ago she suggested that she'd love the boys to draw pictures of a ski trip she took them on. I just couldn't get them motivated to do it at the time. Now they are willing. I've cut down large card stock to standard frame sizes 8x10 and 5x7. They'll each draw, paint, or rip art two pictures, one for each grandparent. What renewed the idea for me was a picture Luke made in school. The picture is of he and his dad shooting the bow, too cute! I can't wait for Chuck to see it.

I come from a long line of homemade gift givers. My mom instilled homemade gift giving in me and I had plenty of other great examples. My aunt and grandmothers were all homemade gift givers.

My mom spent countless hours at a sewing machine making Barbie clothes and doll clothes for Christmas. She would also sew outfits for me. My aunt made two of my prom dresses and one grandmother made outfits for me when she was younger. The other grandmother crocheted. These homemade heirlooms are more precious than anything that could be store bought. To me, there's so much more behind a homemade gift. A person giving a homemade gift is giving far more than a present. They are giving of themselves. They've thought, planned, and spent hours making an item. Many times in those hours they've thought about me and prayed for me.

In recent years I've received a table runner and placemats from my aunt, the one who made my prom dresses. I received a crocheted blanket afghan from my secret sister (Dottie), and a lap afghan from my friend Alana (a fortieth birthday gift.) My mom made me curtains, and Patti gave me a picture with scriptures of some of the biblical descriptions of God (her friend did the calligraphy, but Patti conceptualised and compiled), too cool! My neighbor (we call her Martha, you know Stewart) brings me lunch at least once a week, a meal that she's made. Our other neighbor brings us all kinds of homemade goodies, Stromboli, pies, clams and linguine. I know there are many, many other homemade gifts that I'm overlooking.

I regret, due to my busy schedule, that I don't have the hours to put into gift making like I'd like to. I love to do cross stitch. Once the boys came along FORGET IT! I'd get two stitched done and they'd need me. I'd spend more time figuring out where I left off than I did stitching. I've also enjoyed many other crafts, but most of my gifts come from the kitchen now. It's something the boys and I can do together. I enjoy making gifts much more than purchasing gifts. I'm looking forward to future years of getting back into handmade gifts, not just kitchen gifts.

Please take the time to post about some of your favorite homemade gifts you've given or received.

I hope your Christmas gift preparations are going well. Mine is now in full swing. With the fall semester behind me, I'm making my list and checking it twice...