Giving + Receiving

OK, I know I am a little late to the party on this one, but I wanted to review a few of our holiday gifts for this year now that almost all of them have made it to their recipients.  I will be mailing the last two packages this week (that's you H. and M. & P.)  It's just that due to the snowstorm we had mid-December, I had to ship many more gifts than originally intended, and to me, shipping things is right up there with talking on the phone.  Don't much like it.  And because Elliot missed the week of school before the holidays, we just gave gifts to his friends and teachers today.  So basically, this goes down as the l-o-n-g-e-s-t gift giving season on record.

A while back I mentioned that I was giving many gift cards this season, and that I wanted to come up with a nice way to package them.  I was clicking from one blog to another one night and something reminded me of the Blueprint article showing wooden clogs as beautiful holiday "packaging."  It had just the simple rustic look I was going for.  So here's the plan.  This year I gave several gift recipients a pair of wooden clogs that I painted, filled with a few small goodies + a gift card, as well as the following letter from my kids:

Now, from here on out for these pairs of gift recipients (each person received just one shoe, but is married to another recipient, who has the other shoe), we will collect small goodies-- hopefully throughout the year-- and then send them each person's spouse who will fill the clog on behalf of St. Nicholas.  I thought it would be a challenge to come up with interesting small objects for the shoes for each person, and it would be fun to involve their spouse.  I hope that this is a process that they begin to look forward to.  The bonus?  My plan is to buy a pair of wool socks that I fill throughout the year, and then ship them in that form, so the wool socks can serve as useful gift wrap as well as shipping material.  And because the items are small, and will be a combination of handmade, consumable, and special items, hopefully they won't add too much clutter to the lives of others.

For Elliot's classmates, we took the advice of Amanda and purchased a bunch (100, I think) wooden acorns.  I sewed little felt bags from some hand-dyed wool that my stepmom gave me last year.  The beauty of these, is that I didn't have to trim the fabric at all, I just folded in half, sewed around three sides, trimmed the side seams with pinking shears, flipped right-side out, folded a few inches over, and placed a small red snap in the center.  A few gift tags by Natascha Rosenberg (I love Little Red Riding Hood!) and I was done.  Elliot picked which bag went to which child, which was fun to watch.

I made each of Elliot's teachers a gourd birdhouse (for those of you who don't know, Waldorf schools are big on natural and handmade items) painted Hummingbird green.  For these I used another gift tag by Natascha Rosenberg.  I accidentally printed these HUGE, but I loved them that way.  All of the gifts for school were well received, and we got several small treasures in return.  I love that Elliot sees the pleasure in giving and receiving little tokens like this.

The final idea I wanted to tell you all about is something that my husband and I came up with last year when we didn't want to spend a lot of money on each other, but still wanted to make the other person feel special.  The best thing about this idea is that it can be done for almost any budget, and really is not limited to Christmas at all-- really Valentine's Day would be perfect.  We try to give a gift for each of the five senses.  Now really, if you think too hard about this, every gift on the planet could fall into these categories, but don't overthink it.  We try and concentrate on ideas that are simple, useful, and consumable.  Sort of a way to show someone that you were really thinking about them, not just running out and spend X amount on something that will just sit on a shelf or something (but if the recipient would really enjoy a small something for a shelf, that's perfectly acceptable!)  Some things are free, some things cost very little, and some things can be a little more of a splurge.  I'll give you my list from this year just to give you an idea.  This is what he bought me.

Sound- burned CD's of 10 episodes of This American Life for me to listen to in the car.
Sight- this book
Smell- Kiehl's Original Musk
Taste- some loose tea
Touch- Icebreaker Sweater

We have a lot of fun with it.  My husband is a very good gift giver anyway, but since we started doing this, I always feel very pampered.  There is nothing better than knowing that a person was really thinking of you when they bought your gift.

Comments

[erin]

the five senses idea is wonderful...i may propose that to fatty for next year. and the clogs - brilliant!

[A]

Have you posted before on your birdhouses? I'd love to try to make one of these if you are willing to point me in a direction!

[Jenna]

I love your five senses gift idea. Now if only I can remember it for next year.

[samantha]

you do come up with the most wonderful ideas. I love the 5 senses, and the clogs are brilliant - pity about the materialistic, into the whole consumerism bit members of our extended family.

[kristin]

these are all great ideas! and best of all everything carries with it such meaning and was so thoughtfully made.

[natascha]

These ideas are great! I love the birdhouses! I'm so happy to be helpful with the gift tags!!! Thanks for using them!

[Mama Urchin]

Great ideas! Thanks.

[Noreen]

I really like the 5 senses gift idea. How creative!!! And you are right, it gives you the chance to really think about that person - put more thought into it. I also loved the wooden clogs too =) Take Care ~ Noreen

[Renee]

I love all these ideas, especially the clogs and the 5 senses. We live in Holland MI, which is heavy on the dutch influence so the wooden clog is perfect. and I plan to use 5 senses for valentines- thanks so much for sharing.

[Lorien]

These are all so simple, thoughtful and beautifully executed. Thank you for giving me so many ideas.

[Ali]

Your clog idea is a beautiful tradition in the making. And everyone adores being involved in the plotting of a surprise don't they! What fun.

[Mamaw]

I think everyones who has posted already, has just about said it all,but I have to also say GREAT JOB Courtney how creative.......Mamaw

[Colleen]

Aw, I love the 5 senses gift idea! My fiancee and I never know what to get each other around the holidays, so this would be great to try!

[Florence]

What amazing ideas! I love the idea with the clogs - that is lovely and an ingenious way of getting them filled.

I also love the 'senses' idea...what a thoughtful pair!

[Robin]

That senses idea is wonderful and romantic. I love it!

[kelli]

Those are beautiful gifts! I really like the gourd birdhouses. I need to finish and paint the gourds that I grew last year and make some into birdhouses as gifts. Thanks for the inspiration!

I remember an idea in "Family Fun" magazine a while ago about collecting various treasures during the year to give to family during the holidays: they suggested things like a favorite new food that your family had enjoyed, or some spices or a drink or even a recipe that you had tried during the year.

[molly]

You already know how much I love those birdhouses...but the wooden clogs??? I'm dying. Please tell me where you got them? I'd love to add it to our holiday traditions next year. I just googled it and can't come up with any online sources.

And the five senses idea is pure brilliance, courtney! This year I wanted to have an over-arching theme on my gift giving, something that would become sort of a tradition as far as what you could expect to receive from our family each year. I originally thought of a book, picked specifically with that person in mind, and something homemade from my kitchen. But I love this five senses idea. love it! this may have to be the direction I take our holiday shopping next year.

when does your next wondertime issue come out? I saw your pictures on flickr. Such a great idea. I think I'm in this issue--in the 'readers' panel' section-if I didn't get cut at the last minute!

[lynne]

How thoughtful and beautiful all of those ideas are. Love them!

[kirsten]

wow. those are some amazing gift ideas!

[blair]

I love everything you made, those clogs and the gifts in them is such a great idea. I wanted to tell you that I asked my father-in-law to make me a birdhouse inspired by yours. I asked him months ago and had forgotten about it, but when I got to their house it was hanging on the tree for me! I think of you, and him, every time I look at it. Now to hang it where I can enjoy it everyday.

[Jen b]

wow what wonderful, thoughtful, handmade gifts. not to mention the 5 senses idea, brilliant! i am really inspired by this post. thank you!

[tony(a) lemos]

these are some of the most beautifuly presented l gifts I have seen! And the 5 senses idea simply Brilliant! yeah! Full of inspiration. Thanks-t
http://theherbalway.blogspot.com/

[Sarah]

What genius ideas! I was recently at Target, where they had toys for 75% off, and I bought a few to store away for future gifts. I can't help but come away thinking how I wish I had the skill and creativity to come up with some of the things you do - such wonderful items! I'm sure our son will enjoy the plastic goodies, but maybe I can try incorporating some of your ideas in as well! Thanks!
-Sarah

[Ravenhill]

Thank you for this lovely post full to the rim wtih ideas for creativity. I adore the little felt bags. They are darned clever and so pretty all together with their little red snaps and cute tags.

[Tinuviel]

Very sweet idea with the clogs and socks. I adore those gourd bird houses. What a great colour! Bravo!!

[Grace]

I am really in love with the 5 senses idea! That is something I am going to have to steal from you. Here and now. ;)

[whatchabuildin, heather]

Love the 5 senses idea!!! Thanks, we may just have to try it!

[amber]

i love the creative presentation and the ongoing nature of your gifts. how fun! you have such great ideas.

the five senses ideas is great as well. i would like to incorporate that into our valentine's celebration this year.

i got my copy of wondertime in the mail today and love your project! congrats on being a contributing editor.

[Jen b]

any chance i could get you to reveal your wood clog source???

[Mimi]

Hello there. I'm an occassional lurker. And today I'm really curious where you found the old fashioned flash cards?

[geek+nerd]

This is a wonderful post! My husband and I really focus on having a simpler, but fun Christmas, and your ideas jive really well with how we celebrate! Your birdhouses are just stunning! And the five senses idea? I'm so snagging that for Valentine's day - thanks!

[jessica]

I cannot get over the bird houses, and the clogs-- you are awesome!

[makakona]

where did you get the gourds? or did you clean them yourself? LOVE the ideas!

[Danielle]

I love your gift choices -- all are beautiful! My godmother gave me a "5 senses" gift many moons ago, and for years I have used that idea for when I need to create a special gift for someone.

[Karla]

Wow! What great ideas!

[Kristin]

Just wondering where you purchased your wooden clogs? i think that is just the cutest and greatest idea for gift giving. Great tradition to start.

[Christi]

Wooden Clogs are a dutch tradition. We always did it when I was growing up. There is a wonderful tale to go along with it, of Sinter Klass and Suerte Pete (sorry the spelling) coming to visit the kids.
Holland celebrates Christmas on Dec. 6 (or 7 or 12 - i can't remember) and you leave your clog on the porch with a carrot in it for Sinter Klass' horse. It is a fun tale. I loved celebrating it as a child, your idea reminded me of those memories and of traditions I need to do with my children as well. I like the idea of Christmas Eve, help simplify things.

[The Rustic Owl]

So cute and such a great idea! The best gifts are the ones handmade with love :)

P.S. LOVE the tags as well!

[Tammy]

I love the gourd bird houses! My girls are homeschooled, but we have several dance teachers that we like to give little gifts to. Normally we do a potted plant, but these would be wonderful next year.
Tammy