Simple Gifts

It seems like Christmas was months ago, but I am so thankful for some of the gifts I received, I wanted to write a quick post about it. This was a year that many people felt crunches -- both time and money -- and there was a lot of discussion both in the media and in my own family about cutting back or simplifying when it came to gift giving.

I have always believed that it's the thought that counts and it's better to give than to receive. Sounds trite, but I've always felt this way and believe I've lived this truth. A gift selected and given with love is the most important gift of all. The value is in the process, not the item itself.

This year, I spent a delightful day shopping in a non-mall venue with a dear friend. I purchased gifts for the people I loved. I thought about them, how they would use the gift, shared a story or two about them with my friend as we shopped, and truly enjoyed myself. My daughter helped me wrap the gifts and prepare the packages for mailing. We had a lovely evening away from the TV (and Facebook) and felt the Christmas Spirit in our home.

The gifts pictured above are gifts I received. They too were selected with me in mind and given with true generosity and a nice dose of the Christmas Spirit. The scarves are from my mother in law and are something I never thought I needed but now can't imagine not having. They are pretty and feminine and just my style. The house pin is a gift from my mom and dad. It was made by a little girl whose class decided to raise money for Haiti. It speaks to my love of houses, philanthropy, and good-old-fashioned arts and crafts. In this year that I am selling a house and hoping to buy another one, this pin reminds me that a home is any house with a big heart inside. The peacock feather is from a close friend. It reminds me of the "stray" peacock that was living in her yard a few years ago and it's a reminder to me to be strong and proud (and maybe a little vain) -- all qualities that are important for me this year. The necklace is from a new friend, but honestly -- how perfect: I'm a jewelry book editor, and now I have book jewelry. I'm proud to be her editor and her friend, and I wear this necklace for inspiration.

I don't mean to be ranting in this post. I just want to offer a gentle reminder that simple gifts, gifts from the heart, are all anyone needs and are worth all the money in the world.

Super Easy Hostess Gift

We were invited to our friends' house for a casual and impromptu dinner last night, and we were just bringing wine. Being Valentine's Day and all, a bottle of wine didn't seem like enough, though, so I decided to dress it up a bit. My first try was wire -- nice, but not polished enough. And then I landed on this great wine-bottle lariat idea. Love it. How cute would it be to customize this idea for a shower, or for party favors?

Supplies:

5" chain

loop end of toggle clasp or large jump ring

3-4 charms

2 4-6 mm crystal beads

2 headpins

jump rings as needed

1. Attach the toggle loop or large jump ring to one end of the chain.

2. Attach a charm to the other end.

3. Attach the remaining charms on each side of the chain near the end with the charm.

4. String a crystal on a headpin and make the first half of a wrapped loop. Connect to the chain and finish the wraps. Repeat with the remaining crystal and headpin.

5. Wrap the chain around the neck of the wine bottle and drop the end through the loop.

Fun gift wrap idea

Here's an idea for all you knitters, who have leftover skeins, or for anyone who's looking for an alternative to gift wrap. This worked for me, because I actually planned on giving my mom scraps of yarn as a gift (she's working on a special indigo fiber arts project). So when I saw this idea on About.com I knew I had to try it. Just wind yarn around your tiny present until you have a nice ball, attach a gift tag to the end, and voila! a new twist on reusable gift wrap!

What was inside? A pair of Humblebeads earrings in my mom's favorite shade of pumpkin orange. Two gifts in one!

Altered You project

While I love all the projects in Altered You!, I am particularly fond of the little bonus projects that accompany most of the main projects. This project was designed as a book bag or band instrument tag, but wouldn't it be fun to make them as gift tags for the kids on your list? Fill in their names and they can re-use them on their backpacks. Directions and a pattern are in the book. Remember, if you order online, send me an email and I'll mail you a bookplate.