The Loveliness of Homemade Gifts

Let me tell you at the outset: I don’t know where this post will take me. The coffee is strong and the day is young, and I have a lot on my mind.

When I saw that the next Loveliness Fair was being hosted by Dawn and that the theme was handmade gifts, I had lofty goals. I was going to go here (because their home office is right by my church–how cool is that?) and buy this and make these. Then I was going to assemble them each on a pretty little plate, take a picture, get the film developed on CD at Walmart and put the photos on my post.

I sigh to say that time was not permitting.

And I must be okay with that.

Because instead I went here and got 2 gallons of this in a beautiful shade of Checkerberry Pink.

And that’s how I’m spending my weekend. Painting my little girls’ room for their birthday in 2 weeks. Because sshh! Don’t tell anyone! Their room has been plain old boring white for 4 years now! It’s time.

But still. I have to contribute something because I am in love with the Loveliness Fair. (And italics, too, evidently.) I am fond of a good theme, frankly, and I really enjoy seeing where the different homeschooling moms go with it. It is so fun and so very cool that you ladies have put these together.

However, having said all this, I must admit to feeling a little self-conscious whenever I participate…as if I’m trying to join a club for which I am not altogether qualified. Who am I to be posting about loveliness when I see–on the other side of the computer–all of the areas in my life that are so very not lovely?

You’re going to find me out one of these days, I just know it.

Ahem. So haven’t you loved all the “Real Blogging” talk that’s been going on lately? Jennifer’s Rose Colored Blogging, for example, and the hilarious picture of Nina’s table, which could easily have been a picture of mine at any given moment on any given day.

I do not lead a life of perfect loveliness, that’s for sure.

And am I totally odd to start out my post like this?

Not when you see that the first homemade item on my list of three is:

I. The Gift of Selflessness (subtitled “Death to Self!”)

Dawn asked the question: How do you make the time to make your homemade gifts? Let me ask you this: how about making your time your gift?

Cheryl refers to this in her post The Gift of My Time. And how about that beautiful gal at Castle of the Immaculate? Well, my goodness if she just doesn’t give and give and give. I have been so inspired these past few days by Helen’s selflessness and love.

And then there’s Minnesota Me. I am a hyper-distracted, would-be perfectionist with a limitless (yes, limitless) capacity for affirmation. Which means, more often than not, in my mind it’s all about me.

Are there any licensed therapists among you? What’s up with this?

A fast-and-easy way to for me to conquer my self-absorption is to do as much for others as I can (taking in my friends children, for example, or doing up a meal to deliver). I must also strive to be more fully present to those around me, in particular, my children. That will be one of my homemade gifts this Advent.

The beautiful thing about the gift of selflessness is that the more you give of yourself, the more you die to yourself. We become the grain of wheat that Our Lord speaks of, crushed by those many little purgations and baked by the fire of grace into a new and perfect loaf. Remember, my ambitious, driven friends: God is the master baker here! Let us let Him take over.

II. The second item on my list of homemade presents is this: The Gift of a Smile

This gift can be given in a couple of ways. The first is to simply smile more often, especially throughout this holy season of preparation. Do you know, the other day I made it a point to smile at every person in Wal-Mart that caught my eye. Only two of the maybe 20 people smiled back! Was it the poppy seed stuck in my teeth? Was it some deep-seated sorrow on their heart? Or were they just crabby and distracted?

I may never know and in any case it’s not about me. It’s about giving them the gift of a smile.

Here’s the second, more material way to give the gift of a smile—one of my preferred homemade gifts. Frame a photograph of the kids! That’s it. This one may be obvious but it is always a hit with the family.

I see many beautiful photos posted on your blogs. Framed, these would make an awesome gift. One year we enlarged this photo:

(Which is one of my favorites from my time in France) and matted them and framed them. I hope that they weren’t considered clutter! Well, that’s a risk that we all take.

Last year my favorite gift was a small paper scrapbook that I found at Michael’s, similar to this little album, only the one I used was not spiral-bound but instead, a smaller, stapled version that tied with a ribbon. It was very pretty and easily assembled. I put a picture on one side of the page and on the other, a Christmassy sticker. I added a word or two about each of the photos, which had been taken on an apple orchard outting that fall. All the photos matched each other! Cool! (But yours don’t have to.)

Finally we arrive at the subject of my originally conceived post:

III. The Gift of Goodies

Because homemade baked goods make the perfect gift!

How obvious is that?

Well, it’s true and it is so very easy. Pick up a pack of seasonal paper plates at Walmart or Target or wherever. You can even buy a cute little ceramic platter for about $2.50. Put a bunch of homemade cookies on your plate, cover it with plastic wrap, and (if you’re really ambitious) include the recipe.

Everyone loves getting yummy treats that they didn’t have to make themselves.

We make these cookies every year, by the way. They are delicious, and one batch makes plenty to share.

And finally, here’s a bonus tip: my favorite wrapping technique is to buy a roll of pretty ribbon to match your paper. Tie up your package and then knot a couple of small glass ornaments into the ribbon. So pretty! (And thank you, Auntie Colleen, for this inspiration! I am not one to not borrow a lovely idea when I see it.)

In closing, I think we need to be careful when we read all the other posts today. (In case you hadn’t guessed that.) Christmas tends to bring out the perfectionist in us and maybe some latent envy to boot. We need to be careful—above all, very prayerful—and if we find ourselves wigging out by all the pressure and the stress, then we need to retreat to a quiet place of comfort. Here is Minnesota Mom’s thoughtful spot:

Isn’t it pretty? My husband gave the gift of selflessness one year and did all the painting & wall-papering himself. (Okay, so there may have been the occasional directive from his would-be perfectionist wife.) And just so you know how very far from perfect I am, I took this photo for the Loveliness of Bedrooms Fair and only just got it developed!

As we approach what is sans doute the busiest of seasons, please remember: You cannot give what you do not have. This Advent, may we ask the Prince of Peace for the gift of peace.

And then let us proceed.