do you make gifts for family and friends?

[butters]

if so, what, and how do you decide what to make for them?

are you ever troubled that gifting framed poetry or art (for example) could be misinterpreted as an ego thing?

last year, i wrote a series of four short, japanese-themed poems and framed them for my sis&brother-in-laws (a couple)... despite having over 50 pieces published before, this was the first time i'd actually done it and was feeling all sorts of conflicting weirdness over it. I'm happy to report they were over the moon with them, saying they much preferred that kind of personalised gift and they have them up on their wall, where they've received a lot of good attention from their visitors.

this year, if they come out ok, i've giving a couple of watercolour paintings (with personalised theme/message) to my grand-daughters in law. drawn them and still gotta paint them, so it may not happen. probably slip some cash in there, too, naturally!

so, tell us what you've made, what you'd like to, and how you decide what to.

 

[jaF0]

I have no family. Or friends.

 

[butters]

I have no family. Or friends.

do you want any? if not, you're good to go.

from your posts, you seem to prefer a more solitary existence. still, it's nice to chat here.

 

[silver gurl]

I am no longer very artsy. This year could be different. I did start my shopping in July though because I knew that this (waves/lockdown)was going to happen

 

[silver gurl]

I have no family. Or friends.

I will loan you a couple.

 

[Tryharder62]

if so, what, and how do you decide what to make for them?

are you ever troubled that gifting framed poetry or art (for example) could be misinterpreted as an ego thing?

last year, i wrote a series of four short, japanese-themed poems and framed them for my sis&brother-in-laws (a couple)... despite having over 50 pieces published before, this was the first time i'd actually done it and was feeling all sorts of conflicting weirdness over it. I'm happy to report they were over the moon with them, saying they much preferred that kind of personalised gift and they have them up on their wall, where they've received a lot of good attention from their visitors.

this year, if they come out ok, i've giving a couple of watercolour paintings (with personalised theme/message) to my grand-daughters in law. drawn them and still gotta paint them, so it may not happen. probably slip some cash in there, too, naturally!

so, tell us what you've made, what you'd like to, and how you decide what to.

That really sounds awesome. My mother-in-law is into crafts and I am the recipient of some awesome things. I have from time to time sewn or used pictures to make wall hangings. Usually go over well. You sound very talented.

 

[KeithD]

I've painted our Christmas cards, individually (110 every year, working all year on them. I'm now working on the ones for 2021; I also include a very short story on the theme of the card) for over thirty-five years now and paint larger studies of what catches my fancy. Chinese brush painting technique on rice paper, but using gouache. So friends and family know I do paint. There are professional fine artists in the family far better than I am and doing this for a living. So, lots of family and friends know I have my hand in it. They also know I'll tackle images that strike my fancy, e.g., photos from National Geographic that look abstract until you focus in on them. I don't paint and gift anything that I just assume they'd like. Either they ask me to do something specific for them or I'll watch to see what interests them specifically and do something for them. Most of my family is very particular about what they put on their walls, so I make no/few assumptions.

Any of them who come to my houses know what I like to have and to paint. I collect Japanese woodblock prints from post-WWII into the 80s (shin-hanga period) and that's the style I paint in--minimalist. Our walls are covered from baseboard to ceiling--sort of the effect of the Barnes Museum in Philadelphia.

 

[Fermina_Daza]

Just scarves and hats - figure most people, around here at least, can always use more. I try to make them in their favorite color or to coordinate with their outerwear.

I like receiving something handmade. Unless you are into taxidermy. Then no thanks.

 

[Ziggins]

The gift I can't give to my GF is a massage. Europe is closed.

 

[toeskr]

if so, what, and how do you decide what to make for them?

are you ever troubled that gifting framed poetry or art (for example) could be misinterpreted as an ego thing?

last year, i wrote a series of four short, japanese-themed poems and framed them for my sis&brother-in-laws (a couple)... despite having over 50 pieces published before, this was the first time i'd actually done it and was feeling all sorts of conflicting weirdness over it. I'm happy to report they were over the moon with them, saying they much preferred that kind of personalised gift and they have them up on their wall, where they've received a lot of good attention from their visitors.

this year, if they come out ok, i've giving a couple of watercolour paintings (with personalised theme/message) to my grand-daughters in law. drawn them and still gotta paint them, so it may not happen. probably slip some cash in there, too, naturally!

so, tell us what you've made, what you'd like to, and how you decide what to.

Yes we do. They come over all the time. Holidays are a given. That is what real families do.

Gifts, some bought, some handmade, everyone thinking about the other.

When is the last time you had any real interaction with your offspring?

 

[butters]

I am no longer very artsy. This year could be different. I did start my shopping in July though because I knew that this (waves/lockdown)was going to happen

some like to gift foodstuff they make, others art in other forms, but if the person you're giving the present to is into barbie dolls or lego/new phones and movies then i'd imagine they'd far more appreciate something along those lines than a silly poem/painting everyone's different, s, and they key is to be able to ubderstand what the person you're gifting is into, right?

That really sounds awesome. My mother-in-law is into crafts and I am the recipient of some awesome things. I have from time to time sewn or used pictures to make wall hangings. Usually go over well. You sound very talented.

thanks, but it's kinda hit or miss, especially with the painting right now. it's fun but i'll not make it into a present if it doesn't come out as i hope.
sounds like you've made some good stuff, too. as always, eye of the beholder and all that jazz

I've painted our Christmas cards, individually (110 every year, working all year on them. I'm now working on the ones for 2021; I also include a very short story on the theme of the card) for over thirty-five years now and paint larger studies of what catches my fancy. Chinese brush painting technique on rice paper, but using gouache. So friends and family know I do paint. There are professional fine artists in the family far better than I am and doing this for a living. So, lots of family and friends know I have my hand in it. They also know I'll tackle images that strike my fancy, e.g., photos from National Geographic that look abstract until you focus in on them. I don't paint and gift anything that I just assume they'd like. Either they ask me to do something specific for them or I'll watch to see what interests them specifically and do something for them. Most of my family is very particular about what they put on their walls, so I make no/few assumptions.

Any of them who come to my houses know what I like to have and to paint. I collect Japanese woodblock prints from post-WWII into the 80s (shin-hanga period) and that's the style I paint in--minimalist. Our walls are covered from baseboard to ceiling--sort of the effect of the Barnes Museum in Philadelphia.

omg, now i want to be on your xmas card list. that sounds incredible! the time, thought, and patience makes them even more valuable.

re the bold: absolutely! too many people simply buy the other person something they really like themselves...without a thought that the other might prefer something very different. not through mean-spiritedness, but because they think if they like it the other person will be blown away by it. doesn't always work that way.

Just scarves and hats - figure most people, around here at least, can always use more. I try to make them in their favorite color or to coordinate with their outerwear.

I like receiving something handmade. Unless you are into taxidermy. Then no thanks.

bet they're always welcomed and the simple move of considering what their favourite colours may be makes the gift more special.

The gift I can't give to my GF is a massage. Europe is closed.

as is most the world to americans. long-distance relationships can be hard.

 

[Lazaran]

.

I've read some of your poems, and they're stunningly good. A framed original with, (I'm sure), a lot of thought put into it would be an amazing gift.

 

[butters]

.

I've read some of your poems, and they're stunningly good. A framed original with, (I'm sure), a lot of thought put into it would be an amazing gift.

well, thanks, but some are better than others and there are a lot up that might get changed over time. cheers

 

[hobbit.]

I wouldnt give them the steam off my shit.

but i do occasionally gift small to medium sized abstract figures made from substances collect from the arse ends of our dogs . each one is unique and priceless.

 

[butters]

I wouldnt give them the steam off my shit.

but i do occasionally gift small to medium sized abstract figures made from substances collect from the arse ends of our dogs . each one is unique and priceless.

*spanks*

shitty reply, hobbit, really defeca-dent

 

[hobbit.]

Not really, its a figurine and a room scenter plus its from a much loved family pet. Did you know that white dog poo is getting rarer?

 

[harryrees]

My family loves personalized gifts, too. Last year I made my uncle a handmade anniversary card and wrote him a poem. It was a simple gift, but my parents added a keg that my dad made himself as a gift for his brother.
An original gift will surprise and stun a person and amaze them that no one else in the whole world has one. I always choose a custom gifts idea in addition to a purchased gift. I know from experience that such gifts are the most memorable, although financially they can be quite inexpensive.

 

[rockcasbah]

I have no family. Or friends.

Butters has her blood relatives on iggy, so they’re up for grabs.

I have an excess brother if that helps.