Sending Gifts Near and Far

 It's nearly the holiday season in 2020. I don't know about you, but I'm not going to be able to have my usual Christmas Eve party with my extended family this year, which means I need to figure out a way to still distribute the presents I want to give. Every year there are a few cousins I don't see in person, but this year none of us will be gathering together. So...how do you make sure someone gets a present when you can't get together?

DROP-OFFS

There might be a variety of reasons beyond a pandemic that prevents you from conducting a normal visit or family event. If you live close, you can still arrange a time to drop off a gift. I'm already plotting out a map for a day's drive around my area dropping off Christmas cookies to my extended family. 

Things to consider when dropping off a gift: will your recipient be home at the time, and is a visit expected? Can you safely leave the gift--does it risk be stolen or ruined by the elements (e.g.; a plant that could freeze)? If your recipient lives in a gated community or apartment building with secure access, will you be able to get in? Is there parking nearby, or adequate mass transit to get you there and back? Do you need to plan for tolls, parking fees, or bus tickets? Does it make more sense to drop off a gift at your recipient's work or another location instead of the home? And finally, a fun one: is there something interesting you can do nearby? My last stop for delivering Christmas cookies this year is near a zoo!

MAILING OPTIONS

I prefer to mail packages through the post office--I find their services the most cost-effective and reliable. Other people prefer UPS, Fedex, or another shipping company. Regardless of how you send a gift, you need to remember a few things. 

First, what are the delivery estimates? Every late November or early December, USPS posts a list of dates which are the last days to send packages for guaranteed delivery by December 25, based on factors like whether the package is going overseas or whether you choose expedited shipping. For packages staying in the same country, I like to send at least a week beforehand, but you can find overnight shipping services with all the package delivery companies--it'll just cost a lot more. If you're sending to another country, especially one in another hemisphere, you'll need to allow more time for things to get to their destinations.

Second, will the present survive the trip? Delicate items need to be packed carefully, with bubble wrap or newspaper or something similar to cushion them on their journeys. Perishable items need to get where they're going before they spoil--some shipping companies allow a few pounds of dry ice in shipments; check their websites for specifics. And make sure you've properly sealed the shipping box! It would be awful if the box popped open during transit.

Third, are the shipping charges within your budget? Planning ahead is helpful here. As long as the gift isn't something that will spoil for a while, if you have it ready several days before you want your recipient to get it, you can send it the slowest (that is, the cheapest) option. If you don't want a surprise amount when it comes time to pay, then flat rate boxes are your friends--and often cheaper than sending the same item priced by weight. Shipping companies offer various insurance plans, too; consider if you want those when mailing. Some are included automatically, some are extra. Either way, keep your receipt and tracking number until you know the gift has arrived safely.

Fourth, is it allowed? Some areas don't allow certain items in the mail. Alcohol is the go-to example; you can't mail it to specific states or countries. When sending agricultural items like home-grown fruits and vegetables or seeds (homegrown or storebought), you'll need to check if there are restrictions meant to curb invasive species and pests. Restrictions like this are more commonly an issue when sending packages from one country to another, but they can also exist within the same country, especially if the country covers a wide geographical area.

And finally, make sure you've written the address clearly. If you're concerned about your handwriting, you can type the address, print it out, and tape that paper to the package; or ask someone with neater handwriting to write it for you (also good if you want it to be a surprise and don't want your recipient to recognize your handwriting). If you're worried about the address getting smeared or otherwise rendered illegible, you can also put a slip of paper inside the box with the address. If the shipping company ends up having to open the package to look for clues of where it goes, your paper will be right there to help the gift get back on track.

COMBINED AND COORDINATED EFFORTS

My brother and I live two thousand miles apart, not exactly an easy drive. But my sister-in-law came up with a convenient way to save on shipping costs: buy online, pick up in store. If they want to get us something, they find it at a business that has an online store, pay for online, and arrange for pick up at the location near me, specifying my name as the pick up person. Then I just go to the pick up desk and collect it. Super easy! In another instance, I moved out of state, and as a going-away present was given a zoo membership in the new state. The family who gave it to me bought it through the zoo's website and printed out the proof of purchase, which I took with me to the zoo on my first visit, and then was given a membership card.

The business doesn't necessarily have to be huge for this to work. Once, my brother wanted to get our dad a gift card to his favorite restaurant, which only has one location run by a husband and wife. I live near it, he's two thousand miles away. My brother called the restaurant, explained the situation, paid for the gift card via credit card over the phone, and I picked it up the next time I was in the area. Considering other restaurants in the past have wanted to charge shipping costs nearly equal to the gift card itself, having the local person pick it up is far more cost-effective! And with the ability to pay over the phone or online, there's no need to remember to pay anyone back. If you're not sure whether paying over the phone or online is an option, call the business and ask. You'd be surprised how much can be done remotely--my best friend was able to pay the adoption fee for a kitten in an animal shelter across the country over the phone, and her friend picked up the cat that day.

You can also coordinate within the same area. In a few weeks when I deliver Christmas cookies, my first stop is a cousin's house. There, I will leave cookies not only for him and his family, but also his dad and his sister, who both live quite a ways away in opposite directions. Going to both their houses would add three to four hours to my day! But he'll see them at Christmas, so he's happy to hang on to those presents for them. In return, I'm going to collect Christmas cookies he and his family have made, and deliver both sets to the rest of my stops that day. And that third family member who lives too far away to pack in to the drive? Both sets of Christmas cookies will fill out a flat rate box easily; they'll get mailed together.

DIRECT FROM THE SOURCE

If you find the perfect gift in a storefront and plan to give it to someone who lives hundreds or thousands of miles away, why not simply have it sent directly from the store to your recipient? It's going to be mailed anyway, so why mail it twice? You can usually specify that you don't want an invoice sent (seeing how much you spent can make recipients feel uncomfortable) and sometimes pay a bit extra for gift wrapping, too. Just be sure to warn your recipient that a package is arriving! 

This is especially a great option for gift recipients in other countries. It can take a while for a package to cross oceans and continents. If you're looking for a gift for someone far away, check local businesses to see if you can shorten the shipping time by purchasing from a store the next town over instead of half a world away.

A word of caution when ordering online: make sure you're purchasing from a legitimate and trusted website, and that your financial information is secure. A product might be an unusually low price on a website you've never heard of because it's being sold on a scam website, or isn't as advertised (e.g.; maybe it's a doll-size dress instead of an adult-sized one). Check your credit card, bank, Paypal, or similar statements for unauthorized use often, and report any instances of fraud. 

Whatever your plans this holiday season, have fun and stay safe! Here's hoping that this time next year will be far less stressful.

Gifts for Older Children and Teenagers

For most teenagers, cash is king. They desire to be more independent, but can't quite be on their own yet, so they appreciate the freedom of choice allowed by spending money. If you aren't comfortable giving straight cash, another option is a gift card. Amazon and eBay are good choices because there are so many products a teen can find there. If you know a teen is into fashion and which clothing stores the teen prefers, a gift card there is also good; or any specialty store you know the teen is interested in. If you prefer to give a physical gift, perhaps as a conveyance for cash or a gift card, here are some ideas.

MILESTONE MARKERS

Teenagers have a few special occasions to mark, like getting a driver's license, becoming a legal adult, and graduating high school. You can tailor a gift to commemorate these, like a gift card for gasoline with a keychain on a sixteenth birthday, or supplies for the camping trip a group of friends is going on before they all head off to college and post-high-school work. If an older teen is setting up a first apartment, you can give household essentials, like cleaning supplies stored in a mop bucket or kitchen staples in a baking dish.

BOOKS, MOVIES, AND MUSIC

There are three categories here: entertainment you know the teen likes, entertainment you liked or found useful as a teen, and material for studies.

For ones you know the teen likes, make sure yours will be the only copy or that it's unique somehow, like a first edition or special pressing or something autographed. You might also be able to find mementos of a concert or decorative items related to a book or movie. If the author, musicians, actors, etc are hosting a talk or concert or attending a convention, tickets to see the event could work well.

If you're looking to share your own interest, start small. Your interests might not match up with the teen's. If it doesn't, don't take it personally. As fun as it would be to be able to share a passion, it might not happen. If it does, don't go overboard.

If a teens is interesting in pursuing higher education or learning a trade or other skill, materials toward that are useful. College textbooks in particular are absurdly expensive, and training programs for various trades can be costly--not all are paid for upfront, and reimbursement, if offered, can take a long time.

HOBBY HELP

Especially as teens are able to explore electives in school and other interests through jobs and social activity, they might have specific interests you can cater to through gifts. Accessories for the hobby, gift cards to use to enhance collections, help replacing musical or athletic equipment that gets quickly worn out, a magazine subscription or book about the activity, tickets to a talk or event related to it, donation to a charity for an important cause, travel help or foreign currency if the teen wants to go to a convention far away--talk with the parents or teen first to be sure you're giving what can be used best, because there are a lot of options.

TECHNOLOGY

Many teens are interested in new technology. They are often excited about and maybe saving up for new phones, tablets, computers, or games. Depending on how close your relationship is with the teen and your budget, you might want to buy the thing itself (check with the teen and parents for the right specifications first). You could also sponsor a month or two of service payment.

You could also look into accessories for the technology a teen already has, like a car charger for a phone, speakers for handheld device, or an external hard drive for a computer. Again, you'll need to be sure it's compliant with the device.

GENDERED GIFTS

There seems to be a small trend that teen boys get cash and teen girls get scented candles, lotion, or plush animals. Especially for siblings, check first that the girl will appreciate getting something so different from her brother. Sometimes these can be a perfect gift, but a lot of girls would like the cash too, and sometimes boys would like a bit more thought, even if that's just getting a gift card for a specific things or writing a note to go with the cash that you know he's been saving up for something.

And please, unless you know the girl wants the occasion marked, skip presents, cards, or anything to acknowledge her menarche. The only thing most girls need after "becoming a woman" is to know where she can find feminine hygiene supplies. If she's in a situation where she can't get them herself for whatever reason, then it's reasonable to take her to pick some out, but generally a simple, "If you need anything, it's in the cabinet in the bathroom" will suffice.

Gifts for Young Children

Most people have at least a few young children in their lives who they want to give gifts to, from nieces and nephews to godchildren to friend's children to their own children. It can be tricky to strike the right balance between fun and useful, especially as younger children are still learning to appreciate the thought behind gifts. Here are some ideas to get you started brainstorming.

BOOKS AND MOVIES

Most kids love being read to. Books are easy to tailor to tastes, whether the parents' or the kids' or both. And a lot of books can be found second-hand in great shape for very little money. The same can be said for movies, and many families enjoy watching classic family films together--one of my brothers has made it a tradition to give my kids a Disney movie each Christmas with some snacks to enjoy while watching it.

If you're not sure what title is best, gift cards to bookstores work well too. By the time kids are about four or five, they have fun feeling grown-up by picking out and paying for their own things at stores, and most parents will appreciate that the children are picking a book which is relatively easy to store instead of a toy that can get lost or broken. Gift cards to movie theaters are good choices too, if the children are out of the baby stage.

TOYS

So long as you know the parents aren't already overwhelmed with THINGS, a small age-appropriate toy is certain to be appreciated. Puzzles, art sets, figures or plushes of favorite animals or characters, dolls and action figures--you have a lot to choose from. You can also ask if there are sets you can add to, like more Brio train tracks, Barbie accessories, toy food for a kitchen, or LEGO.

SWEETS AND OTHER FOOD

Most kids have a sweet tooth and will be thrilled to get candy. The main concerns with these is dietary restrictions. A bag of lollipops can't be enjoyed by a child sensitive to food dye, and package of cookies is frustratingly tempting to a Muslim child during Ramadan, a Jewish child on Yom Kippur, or a Christian child during Lent. Some food isn't safe for younger children, for example, toddlers who keep swallowing gum might choke on it. Check with the parents if you have any questions about the appropriate kind of treat for a child.

HOUSEHOLD AND PERSONAL ITEMS

Even young children can understand and appreciate having something just for them. Every preschooler and elementary-aged child that I've made a purse, wallet, afghan, pillowcase, or similar item for has loved that it's personalized in some way, even if that's just the favorite color. My mom has had great success embroidering keychains, washcloths, and handsewn plush toys for my cousins' children.

A lot of children seem to be enamored with kitchen items, stationery sets, and garden tools. If you know a child into these things, they're fun to pick out and easy to personalize as well.

Clothing can be good if you know the child will appreciate it. My daughters love getting new Christmas dresses from their grandparents each year. Not every kid does though, so check with the parents first, and be sure to get information about the right sizes.

GIFT CARDS, SUBSCRIPTIONS, CASH

My children have most of my old toys and most of my husband's old toys. They don't need many more. But they have piggy banks and enjoy filling them up. They also love being able to get a treat at an ice cream or fast food store. 

Getting mail is fun for kids--they almost never get any, so the novelty is pretty special (and it's never a bill!). My husband's grandparents renew a subscription to a children's nature magazine every year, and I give my nieces and nephews a subscription to another. There are other fun things to get in the mail too: a family friend once sent us a coupon to redeem for caterpillars we could raise into butterflies! My kids absolutely loved the experience (do check that such coupons can be redeemed where your recipient lives; some are only good in certain areas).

Money for the future is a common gift from grandparents and great-grandparents, such as savings bonds or college tuition credits. These are so appreciated by the parents, but the thought might go over a young child's head, so be prepared for that. If you're concerned such a gift might not be fun enough, you can always add a packet of stickers, markers, candy, or other small conveyance gift. 

GIFTS THAT NEED CARE

Always, always, always talk with the parents before giving children an animal, even caterpillars you only keep a couple weeks. Parents generally don't appreciate having to be the "bad guy" who says the child can't keep the puppy or kitten or fish, or having to go buy all the necessary equipment for an animal.

A plant is a much safer option, but if you have any doubt whether it will be difficult for the family, talk to the parents. There's a chance someone might be allergic to the plant or that they may not have the space in the yard for it (if they have a yard at all) or that they're about to go on a trip that means they'll come home to a dried-out, dead plant.

Fragile items can be beautiful heirlooms, but be sure that they're appropriate. A delicate crystal figurine is very nice for a Christmas ornament, but less ideal for sitting on a toddler's dresser. 

When in doubt, ask!

Goody Bags, Party Favors, and Other Gifts for Multiple People

Some events call for multiples of gifts, whether as a thank you for coming or as part of the event itself. In general, consumables are a good idea, although if it's food you do need to be considerate of allergies and other dietary restrictions. If you're aiming for more of a keepsake, small is best. You'll need to take into consideration your budget, your audience, and your time.

CONSUMABLES

I have literally dozens of aunts, uncles, and cousins, and I see many of them during the holidays. Buying them all individual gifts would bankrupt me, and making the same by hand would take all year (not to mention the cost of supplies). Instead, I bake three or four varieties of cookies, double or triple batches of each. Each family gets a bag of cookies from me without my needing to take out a loan or spend more than part of a few days baking. Some of them give bags of their own homemade cookies, breads, candies, or jams. Other people I know make vanilla extract (this takes a few months; plan ahead), brownies, fudge, snack mixes, home-brewed beer or other alcohol, small cakes, applesauce, nut butters, spaghetti sauce, spice mixes, home-roasted coffee beans, and even honey from their beehives. You can also put together dry ingredients for baked goods. And of course, there are myriad store bought food treats, often ones made locally.

You do have to be mindful of dietary restrictions. For example, one of my cousins is allergic to peanuts, so I don't add peanuts to any cookies and I don't make peanut butter cookies (for her, other nuts are fine so I can still use almond extract or other nuts). If you don't know the recipients well, in the case of an office party for example, food might not be best. You also need to be sure whatever you give will be okay without refrigeration for at least a few hours. One way around potential food restrictions for a crowd is something like a candy bar. When my brother got married, the wedding favors were organza bags we could fill with our choice of a variety of his and my sister-in-law's favorite candies. At a different wedding, the candy bar was every kind of blue candy the bride and groom could find, as the wedding colors were navy and sky blue. Both times the treats were great for the plane ride home.

Some events give away plants and seeds. While not quite consumable, these are fun for those who have the space to grow them. They're also easy to tailor to the occasion: pots painted in seasonal colors, some of the same flowers as in the wedding bouquets, plants that represent the occasion, that sort of thing.

Other consumables include candles, soap, lotion, sugar scrubs, lip balm, and stationery. As with food gifts, any of these can be store bought or handmade, and you need to be aware of allergies. They don't need to be fancy either, especially if your recipients are more practical. Some years my grandparents have given us simple toiletries like shampoo and shaving cream (with some cash, being grandparents) and it always gets used.

GIFT CARDS

If you have the budget, gift cards in $5-10 denominations are good. The standard is coffee shops, but you don't need to limit yourselves to that. Bakeries, specialty grocery stores, online music services, ice cream stores--as long as your recipients can actually get something for $5 or $10, it can work. One Christmas, a cousin of mine passed out Redbox gift cards with packets of microwave popcorn. 

If you know your recipients would appreciate donations given in their names, you can also pass out notes acknowledging such. One wedding I attended recently had notecards at each table setting stating that in lieu of wedding favors the bride and groom, who had both lost their mothers to cancer, had made a donation to the American Cancer Society. Especially with as extravagant as the wedding and reception was, I thought the donation was far more touching than wedding favor to take home.

KEEPSAKES AND TOKENS

There are a variety of choices for small gifts, some better than others. The issue with gifts meant to be kept is that it's impossible to cater to everyone's tastes. With consumables, people who get something they don't like don't feel as obligated to keep it.

Christmas ornaments are an obvious choice for Christmas parties, and most people aren't too selective about what goes on their trees. Other decorative or household items can be more versatile, like prisms or sun catchers, paper weights, drink coasters, fridge magnets, pins, kitchen accessories, and knick-knacks. Some of these can be handmade, like knit washcloths, sewn hot pads, etched glass coasters, and so on.

If the event is for a specific activity, it's easier to pick out an appropriate favor. For example, a sewing club party could pass out sewing notions; a garden club might give away plant starts. 

For kids' birthday parties, the usual fare seems to be a bag of small plastic toys. I'm not a fan of those myself, as my kids have too many of those already. Goody bags we've found easier to enjoy include more useful items like pencils or other school supplies, a single larger toy, treats like a few cookies or some candy from a piñata, or things that get used up like bubbles and stickers. But don't feel limited to those; feel free to be creative. My brother's birthday is Halloween, so every year his party guests would trick-or-treat. Our parents figured the kids didn't need more candy, especially since they also got birthday cake...so the party favors were toothbrushes and floss! 

If You Can Bake, Cook, or Brew, You Can Make...

Food is a great gift if you know your recipient's dietary restrictions. Whether it's a little treat or a full meal, food is a great way to show people that they're appreciated and cared for.

Sweets and small food gifts are great for holidays, birthdays, and saying thanks, congratulations, or welcome. Cookies, candy, brownies, fudge, jam, seasonings and rubs, infused vinegar or oils, vanilla extract, syrups (either for dessert toppings or in drinks), homemade beverages and beverage mixes, bread and pastries; even food grown in your garden. It's always nice to have a little treat.

Providing a home-cooked meal is a great way to help out busy people, like new parents or people who have just moved or who are busy planning events. Not having to worry about what to make for dinner can help people cope with difficult times like drawn-out medical issues or relax and enjoy happy occasions.

You might able to make something extra-special to eat. Old family recipes are great for this: my mom's side of the family always loves getting my great-great-aunt's secret recipe cookies, and my dad's side appreciates the nostalgia of getting a loaf of the bread my great-great-grandmother made for Sunday dinners. If you know someone's favorite food, see if it can be used in a new sort of recipe or given another kind of twist. My sister-in-law likes rhubarb, so rhubarb cake and strawberry rhubarb pie are obvious choices, but rhubarb syrup that can be poured over pancakes or ice cream is a more fun gift to give. Use fun cookie cutters and colored icing to make a delicious bouquet of flowers or special molds to make shaped candies or cupcakes. You can find themed recipes, like a batch of Italian Wedding Soup for an anniversary present.

Regardless of what kind of food you're giving, make it easier on your recipient by giving it in a container that you don't need back. This can be as simple as wrapping a lasagna in heavy foil or as intricate as packing everything in a picnic basket, utensils included. As with any food gift, take into consideration allergies and intolerances, religious and health restrictions, and how long the food will be refrigerated.

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.

Sewing Tutorial: Pie Carrier

A woman I worked for handed me an item like this that her grandmother had made years before, wondering if I could reverse-engineer it. I took it home, pondered it for a few days, and figured out how to make my own.

A pretty and convenient way to carry your desserts.
Works well for a plate of cookies, too!

SUPPLIES

Two half-yards of fabric, one for the outside and one for the inside (one yard total)
About four yards of bias binding
Batting
Ribbon or other item for ties

I use a set of dollar store shoelaces; the aglets mean I don't need to worry about fraying.
I found the pie fabric on the Spoonflower website in J. M. Clemenson's shop.

DIRECTIONS

Once the fabric is washed and ironed, cut a circle with a diameter one to two inches larger than your pie pan. You'll need three circles: the outside fabric, the inside fabric, and the batting.

This serving plate of mine is just big enough to be a guide

I layer all the fabrics together as I cut them so I don't need to repeat the steps three times:
batting inside the inside and outside fabric, both right sides out.

Next, cut the crescents that go on the top of the pie. I find the easiest way to do this is to cut another set of circles then use a smaller plate (salad plate, in this instance) as my guide to make the crescents about three inches thick, and cut it in half to make the two crescents. Again, you'll need one inside fabric, one outside fabric, and one batting.

Or cut the semi-circle first, then use the plate as your guide to make the crescents.
Use the little semi-circle as part of a heart-shaped oven mitt.

Cut the two straps. They should be about an inch longer than the diameter of your original circle and two to three inches wide. Now you have all the pieces: the circle, two crescents, and two straps; each one a set of one outside fabric and one inside fabric, both right sides out, with batting between them.

These crescents overlap a bit, so I need to trim them.

There we go.

Layers

Now you will sew the long edges of the straps and the inside edges of the crescents. Use a narrow seam allowance, and trim the edges as necessary.

Could have gone a little narrower, but that's nothing my Ginghers won't take care of.

Next, sew on the bias binding. I am lazy and bought bias tape; double-fold is best for all these layers. When you add it to the crescents, do the short, straight edge first. Sew your ties in when you add the bias binding to the inner curved edge. 

Make sure it's long enough to be tied into a bow; five or so inches will do it.

Sewn securely to the crescent.

Inner edges done!

Now layer the pieces, pin them in place, and sew the outer edges of the circle. As before, use a narrow seam allowance and trim the edges.

Watch out for the ties, and be sure to catch all the layers.

All you have to do now is sew the bias binding on the outer edge of the circle. And bake a dessert to go inside it.

If You Can Bead, You Can Make...

Working with beads is a great way to make beautiful things. They can be sparkly accents on handmade or storebought objects, or the beads themselves can be made into a gift. Craft stores carry a wide selection of beads, and of course there are stores specifically for beads as well. My favorite online source is ArtBeads.

Beads give this knitted necklace an elegant twist
(project and photo by Ravelry user Speattle, pattern here)

This purse is fully lined, giving it more durability and ensuring nothing will slip out the holes between the knitted stitches or the spaces between the beads.
(project and photo by Ravelry user Speattle, pattern here)

Jewelry, ornaments, and decorations are the easiest gifts to make with your beading skills. You have to think carefully before making a toy or heavily-used item out of beads; the beads might break, fall off, or get in the way of a "more practical" item's use. But a gift doesn't have to have a use beyond being beautiful for it to be appreciated.

My dad taught me how to make these bells. This YouTube tutorial is similar, although we use twelve 8mm faceted beads for the beginning circle and she uses the 3x6mm oat beads (the third type of bead is 4mm pearl beads; I've found all at JoAnn and other craft stores, and online on Etsy and eBay). A written pattern very close to how we do it is here.

Left and right are jewelry pieces my sister-in-law made for me to wear in my wedding (left; I commissioned her) and hers (right; I was a bridesmaid). Middle is a set my best friend made me for Christmas.

Not strictly beading, but similar--a coworker of my husband's makes dreamcatchers uses feathers she finds at their workplace, owl, crow, and northern flicker in this instance. This is hanging in our kitchen.

A selection of Christmas ornaments I've been given by various friends with beaded accents

You don't need to be a beading master to enjoy it. Kids can get in on the fun, too.

My cousin made this for me when were teens. My kids play with it now.

There's a certain charm to these creations of my two- and four-year-olds.

Beads as accents or the entirety of baskets, keychains, clothing, curtains, accessories, jewelry, wall hangings, frames--they can add a touch of beauty, elegance, fun, or whatever you want. With so many kinds of beads and charms, your imagination is the limit.

Sewing Tutorial: Charming Soft Baby Cube Toy

I first made one of these as a baptism present for my cousin’s baby girl. The six symbols are an Ichthus (Jesus fish), Alpha and Omega, INRI (Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudoreum, Latin for Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews), an IHS symbol (Latin for In Hic Signa, which means in this sign, from the story of Constantine’s conversion to Christianity), a Chi-Ro (one way to abbreviate Christ, again from Latin), and a cross. I later also made a set of simpler ones with geometric shapes: circle, square, triangle, octagon, star, and heart. Both sets of shapes are in the PDF at the bottom of the page, which you can download to act as a guide for cutting the shapes.

She's one of my godchildren

SUPPLIES

Six charm squares or one quarter yard of background fabric

Six charm squares or one quarter yard of fabric for the shapes/symbols

Poly-fil or other stuffing

Optional: 6-12 jingle bells

DIRECTIONS

Prewash and iron your quarter yard of background fabric. Cut six 5x5 inch squares, one for each of the cube’s faces, or iron your six background charm squares. If you’re using a single cut of fabric and want all the faces the same size, you can also cut a cross shape told fold into a cube.

 I still sewed along the edges of this one to help it keep its shape.

Prewash and iron your second fabric, or iron your second six charm squares. Cut your desired shapes and appliqué them onto the six faces of the cube. 

Assembly line!

Using a quarter-inch seam allowance, sew the faces to each other right sides together along their edges. Leave an inch or two open for turning and stuffing. Be sure they’re facing the ways you want them to, and that they’re in the order you want. The arrangement is completely up to you, just be sure you do it the way you mean to. 

 For the religious symbols, I like the Ichthus and the Alpha and Omega on opposite sides, the INRI and IHS on opposite sides, and the Chi-Ro and cross on opposite sides. For the shapes, I pair them circle and octagon, square and triangle, and heart and star. 

Once they’re sewn and turned, stuff them firmly with Poly-fil or something similar. If desired, put a jingle bell or two in the middle so the cube will make a noise when shaken. Hand stitch up the last little bit, and you’re done!

A bit of thread to close that gap, and they’re ready to be played with. 

Here is the PDF of the symbols and shapes: Shapes and Symbols

Sewing Tutorial: Doorknob Letter Holder

I display Christmas cards on the inside of my front door, and wanted to keep the letters nearby. I designed this pouch to hang from the doorknob for just that purpose. It doesn’t need to be restricted to Christmas newsletters, but if you want to make one for regular mail, I suggest making it two or three inches wider.

SUPPLIES

One fat quarter or quarter yard of fabric

Batting

Bias binding

DIRECTIONS

Once the fabric is prewashed and ironed, cut three 5x15 inch strips (8-9x15 if you want it to hold larger pieces of mail—maybe even wider if you’ll be leaving it in the envelopes). Cut one 5x15 inch strip and one 5x7.5 inch strip of batting (again, increase the width if desired). If you think your letter holder will need to support more weight than just a few letters, use thicker or stiffer batting, or you can cut another 5x15inch (8-9x15 for wider) piece and double up the batting for more stiffness.

Layer the pieces as shown: on piece of batting between two fabric strips, right side out; the remaining fabric folded right side out over the remaining batting. Stitch bias binding along the folded edge of the shorter piece. 

I used purple because it’s my favorite color, and I can justify it because purple is the color of Advent.

Using a mug or other similarly-sized round object, round the top corners of the longer piece. 

Use a glass that fits over your doorknob to cut a hole for hanging (you’ll need a smaller hole than pictured for a lever-type handle). 

Mine is 3" in diameter

With the shorter piece pinned onto the bottom (non-hole) half, stitch all around the exposed edges with a very narrow seam allowance. Be sure to catch all the layers.

Trim any threads or uneven edges, pin on the bias binding, and sew it on. Trim the threads, and you’re done! 

This is single-fold; next time if I make another, I’ll use double-fold—this was so narrow it was difficult to properly sew it on.