There are some fun traditions and legends associated with certain gifts. Here are a few:
-Always put something in a purse or wallet, lest it always be empty (I like gift cards in small amounts).
-Never actually give a knife as a gift: tape a penny to it for the recipient to give back to you. That way, the knife was bought, and won't "sever the friendship." Some people apply this to other sharp things like scissors.
-Be wary of the curse of the "boyfriend sweater." Some people are hesitant to start a time-consuming project, like knitting a sweater, for a new significant other. The fear is the relationship will break up before you finish the project.
-Shoes are sometimes said to be another bad idea. The recipient may "walk away" from the relationship.
-Many cultures view mirrors as bad luck, for various reasons from their fragility to the risk of seven years of bad luck if the mirror breaks.
-Gifts that are thought to strengthen relationships are sturdy items: wood, especially furniture, and diamonds, as in the classic diamond engagement ring. Silver, gold, and porcelain are said to foreshadow good fortune.
-Certain numbers are good or bad luck in different cultures. Thirteen is unlucky in the Western world, but four is bad luck in China and nine in Japan. But back in China, nine is a lucky number. In much of Asia, eight is lucky; in the West, it's seven. If you're giving several of an item, keep this in mind.
-A traditional house-warming gift is bread, salt, and wine. To quote It's a Wonderful Life: "Bread, that this house may never know hunger; salt, that life may always have flavor; wine, that joy and prosperity may reign forever."
-The first gift a bride opens at a bridal shower should be the first one she uses, for good luck. Whoever gives the third gift will have a baby soon.
-For gift wrapping, certain colors have specific meanings in certain cultures. Purple is bad luck in Italy; yellow with black writing is used at funerals in some parts of Asia, and white, black, and blue are also mourning colors in most of Asia. Black and purple are mourning colors in South America.
Tuesday, October 15, 2019
Tuesday, October 1, 2019
If You are an Artist, You Can Make...
Being able to create art is a wonderful talent, and a great way to make personalized and customized gifts. There are myriad possibilities.
HOME DECOR
Provided you know your recipient's tastes well enough, a piece of framed artwork is a lovely addition to a home. It's also a fun way to celebrate major milestones, like new babies or weddings. One of my mom's friends works drawing houses for a real estate company; when my older brother got married she drew professional pictures of his and his wife's childhood homes. One of my aunts is a professional photographer, and she's put together some inspiring pictures of family members, landscapes, and even one series of plants--may sound odd, but they're beautiful.
If you're unsure quite what would be best, you could also offer your services to paint a family portrait or something similar. Explain you'd love to make something, but you want to be sure it fits with your recipient's aesthetic. Be prepared for some people to decline (politely, I hope).
Lots of people like inspirational quotes and images; if you have talent in graphic design, calligraphy, or wood-working this could be a good avenue for you. I have a few friends who make gorgeous home decor like this.
If your talent leans more toward three dimensional pieces, decorative bowls, vases, candle holders, frames, paperweights, coasters, or other such items work well. Small boxes or bowls to hold things like keys, jewelry, and coins are useful and easy to store. If your items are more utilitarian, make sure your recipient knows that, for example, the plate can safely hold food without leeching anything into food, and how to care for it (handwashing vs dishwasher, proper kinds of soap). Little trinkets like prisms, whose primary purpose is to be beautiful, are also good ideas.
OUTDOOR ITEMS
A family moving to a new house might appreciate a handmade address sign, stepping stones, decorated planting pots, wind chimes, bird feeder, or garden sculpture. Of course, be sure your recipient knows the pieces are safe for the outdoor weather, and take a moment to think about the climate and any pets who might try to chew on something.
OTHER IDEAS
You might be able to craft toys or even board games for children, or make a piece reflecting the child's favorite animal or hobby. You might even be able to illustrate a short book. For babies, perhaps a piece to help parents mark milestones like the first time a baby sits up, smiles, crawls, etc.
I have a few family members who make stationery. Whether made with rubber stamps, graphic design programs, found items like pressed flowers, individual drawings and paintings, homemade paper, other card cut into collage pieces, or anything in between, they're useful and beautiful.
HOME DECOR
Provided you know your recipient's tastes well enough, a piece of framed artwork is a lovely addition to a home. It's also a fun way to celebrate major milestones, like new babies or weddings. One of my mom's friends works drawing houses for a real estate company; when my older brother got married she drew professional pictures of his and his wife's childhood homes. One of my aunts is a professional photographer, and she's put together some inspiring pictures of family members, landscapes, and even one series of plants--may sound odd, but they're beautiful.
If you're unsure quite what would be best, you could also offer your services to paint a family portrait or something similar. Explain you'd love to make something, but you want to be sure it fits with your recipient's aesthetic. Be prepared for some people to decline (politely, I hope).
Lots of people like inspirational quotes and images; if you have talent in graphic design, calligraphy, or wood-working this could be a good avenue for you. I have a few friends who make gorgeous home decor like this.
If your talent leans more toward three dimensional pieces, decorative bowls, vases, candle holders, frames, paperweights, coasters, or other such items work well. Small boxes or bowls to hold things like keys, jewelry, and coins are useful and easy to store. If your items are more utilitarian, make sure your recipient knows that, for example, the plate can safely hold food without leeching anything into food, and how to care for it (handwashing vs dishwasher, proper kinds of soap). Little trinkets like prisms, whose primary purpose is to be beautiful, are also good ideas.
OUTDOOR ITEMS
A family moving to a new house might appreciate a handmade address sign, stepping stones, decorated planting pots, wind chimes, bird feeder, or garden sculpture. Of course, be sure your recipient knows the pieces are safe for the outdoor weather, and take a moment to think about the climate and any pets who might try to chew on something.
OTHER IDEAS
You might be able to craft toys or even board games for children, or make a piece reflecting the child's favorite animal or hobby. You might even be able to illustrate a short book. For babies, perhaps a piece to help parents mark milestones like the first time a baby sits up, smiles, crawls, etc.
I have a few family members who make stationery. Whether made with rubber stamps, graphic design programs, found items like pressed flowers, individual drawings and paintings, homemade paper, other card cut into collage pieces, or anything in between, they're useful and beautiful.
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