Have you been reading/hearing about all the supply chain issues in the world right now? And specifically how it relates to all that holiday gift giving? I have, and while I'm not at all surprised by it because of what I do for a living and what I've had to do differently over the past year to make sure I have goods, I am not really worried about it at all because as far as gift giving goes, I'm a knitter. I can make things for people.
Are you thinking the same thing? That because we can knit awesome gifts for the people in our lives we don't have the society-imposed-stress of shopping early just in case things get stuck places? That's exactly where I am. I'm not worried at all about getting the right gifts in time for Christmas. I'm not out at Target trying to find things or frantically ordering on Amazon. I'm good.
I'm also a pretty good craft person and maker in general. I've made beer, wine, taken a class on barrel aging liquors, I've done stained glass, and I'm sure a myriad of other things I'm forgetting. I can make a mean ginger pear butter or bourbon apple butter and can that. And people always love gift cards. And I can still support my local places or fave online shops with gift cards.
And really, in general, I haven't bought a lot of things for my kids the past couple years. We do a big gift and a few littler ones, and I think maybe this year we may splurge on a vacation instead of presents. Last year, for my whole extended family that's what we did- spent a day outside together doing something special (all 18 of us) instead of buying gifts for anyone. And this summer we spent a week at the lake together. I'm really enjoying buying "experiences" instead of things.
Is there something that you or someone in you life really want for Christmas that you're worried about getting? I would love to be able to find a PS5 for my kids, but that's one of those chip-related-issues and we can't find one (at a reasonable/retail price) anywhere and so gave up. So I'm thinking maybe the fam and I will go to a basketball game in Indy or a comedy show or something instead of more gifts. How about you? Are you buying or making this year?
And in case you're wondering, we have definitely experienced changes in what is available, how long it takes to get here and how much it costs. But I've worked pretty hard and smart to get what we need, or replace it with something even better. So I hope you haven't noticed a lack of anything at SSYC.
I have three school age kids- 9, 11 and 15. They'll also get one big gift each and a stocking stuffed with goodies. My oldest is into vintage jewelry and anime, and I've scored some great rings for her at a few local thrift stores. My middle kid is a minimalist. My youngest is a more is more person, haha! The youngest has requested a rainbow scarf (it's 50% done and will go in the stocking). The oldest will snatch every blanket as soon as I finish it. I buy Penzey's spices for extended family.
Posted by: JL | October 14, 2021 at 07:57 PM
Hi Allison - I have been buying small gifts on Etsy. Trying to buy from women small business owners. I have been able to buy some very nice and unique items. Everyone is getting socks, hats, lined mittens and hat, and gift cards. For my friends, I have been knitting bears and they are being sent to Amy Berman, the remarkable women who started the Mother Bear Project. They each get a picture of the bear I knitted that is named after them, with a pictures of the bear, and a copy of the Mother Bear flyer explaining the program. Works pretty well.
Posted by: Denise | October 14, 2021 at 09:02 PM
I am definitely making gifts, this year and every year! Most of my Christmas (and birthday) gifts get finished months ahead. I make them throughout the year while I participate in KALs on Ravelry. But no matter how much I have stockpiled, there are always late queue add-ons and I take on too much. All of the adults on my list get socks. The women might also get something else like a cowl or hat. We have a grandson now, so I am knitting a sweater or two for him, and maybe a stuffed bear with clothes….
The list never ends.
Supply chain issues won’t bother me at all.
Posted by: Nancy | October 14, 2021 at 09:57 PM
We have gotten gift cards for everyone the past few years. The fact is that we are extremely lucky in that any of us (except the kids of course) can buy anything we want. I agree about buying experiences rather than things. I was so disappointed that our extended family trip to Ireland was cancelled by Covid last August. Silly us had hoped that we could reschedule for this year - no luck. At my age & with my health problems, I worry it won’t be possible for me to make it.
Posted by: Donna | October 14, 2021 at 10:57 PM
I definitely like the idea of time together as the gift! My husband and I have been doing that for years now and will now extend it to rest of family. Grand kids will get some gifts too. No knitted items for the grand kiddos though as my daughter moved to Florida! But grownup nieces and nephews will get cowls this year. And I seem to think the store is chock full and I want to try so many things - thanks for keeping us in beautiful yarn!
Posted by: Anne | October 15, 2021 at 09:12 AM
I have not even thought about gift giving yet. I have a few projects in mind to make and have the yarn but just can’t seem to get them started. We draw names in my husband’s family. My family is small and I usually make a soup in a jar or something like that. I’m not even sure if I’ll be traveling to PA this year for Christmas because my husband is on call on Christmas Eve. I always have a hard time coming up with ideas for my brother’s family. His wife is so hard to shop for and I have trouble coming up with things for the kids since I don’t have any. I guess I better get going if I’m going to make stuff. I have a few skeins of colossal DIC to make the pensive cowl. I wound it and can’t find where I put two of the skeins. I started one for my mom with the Hawaii color. It will come together! It always does! I’ll make my dad another pair of hunting socks in Bridgetown DK held double. I gave him a pair for Father’s Day and he loves them! I guess I have been thinking about it!! I just need to get started!! No clue about what to get my husband. Maybe we will go on a trip!
Posted by: Dana Snyder | October 16, 2021 at 04:56 AM
I make things but am so exciting about seeing the reactions of the recipients that I end up giving the gift when it's finished. Not even the holidays can make me do delayed gratification. Haha
Posted by: MarthaO | October 18, 2021 at 01:23 PM