If You Can Knit or Crochet, You Can Make...

Knowledge of needle arts is useful for gift-giving. There are a variety of things, large or small, easy or difficult, that make great gifts. Of course, keep your recipient in mind: not everyone appreciates handmade items, and even if they do, they might not like the specific item you've chosen--no matter how beautiful, an intricate Christmas ornament isn't appropriate for someone who doesn't celebrate Christmas. So long as you know your recipient doesn't have a strong preference for store-bought items and you have the right category of gift in mind, and that you have enough time to complete the project, you're set. Patterns are all over the place online and at bookstores, yarn stores, and libraries. For example...

BLANKETS

There are patterns for all sizes of blankets, and lots of fun designs as well. Baby blankets, toddler-sized lap robes, afghans all the way to king size, teeny sizes for pets or dolls--it just depends how much yarn and time you want to use! 

How do you pick a pattern? The search engine on Ravelry (a wonderful website) is a fantastic resource--you can input yarn weight, needle sizes, yarn amount, and select whether you want your results to show free or paid patterns and patterns for knitting or crochet. Think of the size you want, and how complicated you want the pattern to be, and go from there. Some patterns make pictures--this one makes a Diplodocus:

Picture by Ravelry user amgoth2000, Diplodocus Blanket, pattern here

This one makes a roadway for toy cars:

Picture by Ravelry user HappyBerry, pattern Road Play Mat, found here

Once you have your pattern selected and you have appropriate yarn (that is, the correct weight, yardage, and appropriate fiber content--machine-washable is best for babies), it's time to figure out colors. Maybe a favorite sports team--and there are also patterns for many of the logos--wedding colors, colors from a pop culture item (maybe a big blanket striped in the colors of the famous scarf from Doctor Who), the recipient's favorite colors... Keep in mind that complicated patterns, such as ones with lots of cables, work best with few or one color. Too many colors can make the pattern hard to see. My personal preference is to knit (because I'm terrible at crochet) fairly simple patterns with two strands of yarn at once. I use patterns meant for bulky weight yarn, and hold two colors of worsted weight as if they were one, which gives me a nice blend of colors.

Picture by Ravelry user SiffKnit, pattern Susan's Zig Zag or Chevron Blanket, pattern here

Picture by Ravelry user SiffKnit, pattern Susan's Random Remnants Blanket, pattern here

CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES

Hats, cowls, scarves, mittens, socks, shawls, even jewelry--there are patterns for everything. One thing I love to do is put my recipient's name into the Ravelry search engine, and find an accessory with the name. Joel's Scarf, Paul's Hat, Jane Necklace, and so on. And you can just as easily find patterns for clothing like this: Oriental Lily Dress, Scott Sweater, Katie Blouse, and so many more. There are also patterns geared toward times of the year that can be fitting, like the May Baby Sweater for a baby born in May.

Picture by Ravelry user Speattle, pattern May Baby Sweater, found here

Of course, you can pick any pattern you want, but I find it especially fun if there's a subtle or not-so-subtle nod to the recipient.

HOUSEHOLD ITEMS

Especially nice for a housewarming or hostess gift, these range from potholders to dishcloths to pillows to coasters to drapes to rugs to bookmarks to tea cozies to felted bowl to placemats and more. Most of them are small and work up quickly. The small ones are especially nice complements to other gifts.

Picture by Ravelry user Siffknit, pattern Bottle Cozy, found here

SEASONAL DECORATIONS

There are patterns for every holiday and season. You can make a dreidel bowl to hold latkes or other food:

Picture by Lindsey Stephens, pattern Dreidel Bowl, found here

Or Christmas ornaments:

Picture by Ravelry user SiffKnit, pattern Candy Cane Christmas Ornament, found here

Or seasonal dishcloths:

Picure by Ravelry user SiffKnit, pattern Dishcloth Calendar, found here

Or any number of decorative objects or items with seasonal themes.

TOYS

A bit of stuffing and you can make so many different toys. Crochet lends itself to shaping toys better than knitting, but are plenty of options available for both.

Picture by Ravelry user SiffKnit, pattern Tiny Stuffed Bear, found here

AND MORE

There are patterns for things you'd never think of. Just try typing your recipient's interests or hobbies into Ravelry's search engine. Designers are astonishingly creative. The one that surprised me the most was a guitar slide cozy, which I made for a guitarist in the colors of his favorite sports team (complete with a clear guitar slide):

Picture by Ravelry user SiffKnit, pattern Guitar Slide Cushion, pattern here

Picture by Ravelry user SiffKnit, pattern Academy Award/Oscar Statuette, pattern here

Edit added October 2020: People have reported accessibility problems with the new Ravelry design, including migraines and seizures. Many of these patterns can be found on other sources like Etsy or personal designer websites.

Do you have other ideas you'd like me to cover? Let me know in the comments.

Gifts for: A New Baby

When someone you know has a baby, it's common to want to celebrate. If you're looking to mark the occasion of a new little one, you have a range of options. Some gifts, like a new rocking chair, are generally best for first babies. But second, third, fourth, and more babies are still cause for celebration. If you gave a gift for the first baby and you're still in touch with the parent(s), acknowledging births of younger siblings is polite. I always give the same presents to siblings regardless of birth order (e.g.; my cousins' children all get a blanket, a book, and a hat; my siblings' children get those plus booties), but that might be because I myself am not the oldest sibling! A congratulations card acknowledging the birth of another child is sufficient if you don't feel moved to make or purchase a present.

HANDMADE

If you know how to knit, crochet, or sew, there are so many baby gift ideas available to you! Toys, clothes, blankets, diaper covers, burp cloths, nursing covers, books (my daughters have a beautiful book my mom made on her embroidery machine), diaper bags, bibs--the list goes on and on. 

For knitting and crochet, my go-to is a particular knit baby blanket pattern I designed myself (it's available on Ravelry here, and there are also lots more on site, for every budget including free patterns). I like to pair the blankets with a book or small accessory, like a hat or booties. This is a set I made for a friend's twin boys:

Other needlework ideas:

-Booties and socks

-Hats

-Cotton washcloths and bibs

-Wool diaper "soakers" to cover cloth diapers

-Sweaters, dresses, vests, pants, shirts, and other clothing

-Nursing covers and shawls (if you know the mother plans to breastfeed)

What ever you decide to make, be sure the yarn is appropriate for babies. Handwash baby items are likely to be too much work for parents. Acrylic yarn is washer/dryer safe, but some people are concerned about flammability or (lack of) softness. Washer/dryer safe cotton and superwash wool are other options.

My favorite sewing items for babies? Toys. I love the patterns from Funky Friends Factory. The designer, Pauline McArthur, makes wonderfully detailed patterns that walk you through every step of the way. I first made one of her patterns only a year after I learned to sew, and I had zero problems. Most of her patterns about $13, and they're worth every penny, but you can get a free teddy bear design by signing up for her newsletter. My favorites of her patterns are Ellie Elephant, Honey Teddy, Lambkins Lamb, and Patty the Cow. She has a lot of unusual animals as well, such as guinea pigs and aardvarks. This an Ellie I made for my best friend's daughter, in the nursery colors. Her husband thought it was storebought.

Other sewing ideas:

-Baby quilts
-Clothing and pajamas

-Burp cloths (sew a piece of flannel to one side of a cloth diaper)

-Books (you can buy panels with pre-made pages)

-Nursing cover (if you know the mother plans to breastfeed)

-Play mat (if you have an embroidery machine, you can make it extra elaborate)

-Diaper changing pad
-Satin-stitch an applique onto another item of clothing (or embroider it)
-If you have an embroidery machine, adding details to burp cloths, clothes, blankets, or other things adds a special touch

Again, especially for clothing, be aware of the fabric's care instructions and suitability for a baby--no fabrics with sequins or other things that can be pulled off. Similarly, use safety eyes or just stitch eyes on for toys.

There are plenty of other handmade items that make great baby gifts. If you feel moved to make something, consider your talents and hobbies. A skilled woodcarver could make beautiful toys or decorations. A far-away grandparent or other relative might want to read baby books into a microphone and send the recording as a gift. Fabric pens make embellishing a shirt, onesie, or other clothing easy. You can mix up ingredients for a soothing baby soap in a pretty bottle. I know a friend who paints, and she made a beautiful painting of flowers for a baby girl with a flower name (e.g.; irises if the baby were named Iris). Milestone charts are another idea, and there so many ways to make them. Etsy is a good place for inspiration and purchasing.

And you don't have to think too far outside the box. Do you have some art supplies? Make a congratulations card. Can you cook? Bring over a lasagna that can be frozen for later or eaten that night. Of course, check to be sure there are no allergies or other food concerns. Especially in the first weeks after bringing home a new baby, knowing that dinner is taken care of is a huge relief. You can also offer to watch the baby for a bit while the parent(s) catch a shower or a nap or run an errand, or do a load of laundry for the family.

STOREBOUGHT

Especially useful if you're short on time, there are plenty of baby things available in stores. As with any storebought gift, include a gift receipt just in case. If there's a baby registry, you can rest easy knowing you picked out the right gift (it can also be helpful to guide handmade things--you might notice a giraffe theme or that everything is yellow). 

If there's no registry, browse the store's baby section. Try to think of things the baby will be likely to use lots of--clothes and blankets get dirty quickly, so having more than one is good. Baby books are always a hit, and there are so many kinds of toys for babies. If the baby will be using disposable diapers, a package of those is always welcome. If the baby will be using washable diapers, you might be able to pay for a month of a diaper service. Just make sure that nothing consumable, like baby foods or formula, will expire before the baby is likely to use it.

You can get several small things to make a gift basket. One of the most useful gifts I was given for one of my babies was an assortment of travel-size baby soaps, shampoos, and lotions. Or you could get several baby books, a soft toy, a blanket, maybe a nightlight or some lavender: bedtime gift basket. A small tote with one-handed snacks like granola bars or nuts, a water bottle, and a good novel makes a nice addition to feeding a baby--whether the baby's bottle-fed or breast-fed, parents often find themselves hungry or thirsty just as their babies start eating, and if the baby falls asleep, the parent will often want to let the baby rest before getting up.

A gift can be more geared to the parents, if you so choose. When one of my cousins was pregnant, she missed having the occasional glass of beer. So I found out her favorite variety, and got her a few bottles to go along with the blanket I knit for her daughter. Other pregnant mothers often miss foods or drinks they're supposed to abstain from, and might like a gift of fancy soft cheese or wine. Adoptive parents might appreciate a memento of where their baby was adopted from.

If you're really not sure what to pick out, or if you know the parents enjoy shopping, gift cards or just straight cash are perfectly appropriate. A gift card needn't be baby-specific either; it could be to restaurant. Bonus points if the restaurant delivers, or you include an offer to baby-sit.

For big-ticket items, like cribs or other furniture, carseats, and strollers, it's wise to check with the parents. They might have specific needs or wants, or they may already have them. 

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

There are some times when the joy of a new baby is tempered by complications, which can range from necessitating new expectations and goals to tragically severe. If you know a new baby will need to spend lots of time in the hospital, see if nearby restaurants deliver to it; the parents will probably get sick of hospital food. If a baby has birth defects, keep those in mind when considering gifts; babies who are deaf won't need noise-making toys, and babies who have muscle weaknesses or hand defects will need toys they can grab more easily. Be wary of gifts proclaiming things like "Future All-Star" if the baby has life-limiting health conditions or won't be able to walk.

It might not be the baby specifically who's affected. A friend of mine was in the third trimester when her partner died, but she and the baby were (physically) perfect. I ended up writing a letter to the baby about her father, to be given to her when she was older, and making a drawing of her name incorporating things from her mother's life and her father's life--he loved soccer, so for the O in her name I drew a soccer ball. Knowing that her daughter would have things to help her learn about her father was very helpful to my friend.

And in the awful instances when a baby dies, there are ways you can help the parents. Everyone handles grief differently, and there is no one single "right" way to mourn a baby or child. Most parents will find others acknowledging that they did have baby to be a comfort. Offer a shoulder to cry on, ask if you can make a donation to a charity the parent(s) approve(s) of in the baby's name (and using the baby's name specifically is comforting for most parents), see if they want to pack away baby items in the nursery and if you can help, find out if they need help notifying family, friends, and coworkers. If you already have a baby gift, you can tell the parents about it and offer to hold onto to it for a while while they decide if they want it as a memento or not. Perhaps most important, reach out the parents throughout the next year (and beyond, but especially the first year) on Mother's Day, Father's Day, holidays, and the anniversary of the baby's birth and death. You might feel as though you're stirring up sad memories, but the parents will always be aware of their baby. Letting them know they can talk about the baby with you is a comfort to most parents.

Fortunately, most new parents won't face difficulties like these, but having known a few families who have walked this path, I felt I needed to address it.

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.

If You Can Sew, You Can Make...

What I love about sewing is how quickly small projects can go once you're set up. Of course, quilts and clothing take longer, but simpler projects like purses and wallets and even toys can be done in an evening. A good pattern is essential--I've tried some free ones that an experienced person could probably make work, but in general, the money you pay for sewing patterns is worth it. One exception is tutorials; those have step-by-step instructions to guide you along.

PERSONAL ACCESSORIES AND CLOTHING

When my kids get invited to birthday parties, my go-to present is a purse or wallet with an ice cream gift card slipped inside (after all, it's "bad luck" to give them empty). My favorite purse pattern is Runaround Bag by Lazy Girl and my favorite wallet tutorial is by Allisa Jacobs. There are many other patterns around of course, but these are both straightforward and great ways to use up scraps left over from other projects.

Purse, wallet, and gift card for a girl who invited all three of my kids to her party: one thing from each child (two are old enough to help sew, and they did).

These purses, a thank for some staff members at a medical office my family used for years before moving to another area, were all made with left over pieces of fabric, batting, and ribbon--and since I already had the zippers, the only cost was the coffee gift cards to go inside.

And of course you could also sew hair accessories, scarves, hats, gloves, boot toppers, and anything you set your mind to. Some items need to be more fitted than others, especially for clothes. Dresses are a bit more forgiving for those just venturing into sewing garments: if it's a bit long, no one will mind; if it's a little short, add leggings and it becomes a tunic. Similarly, baby clothing: err on the side of too big, then the baby can just grow into it. As with any gift, before you go to the effort of tackling a project, make sure you're picking appropriate material, the right size, and a pattern you know the recipient will like.

If you plan ahead, you can enter the gifts you make in fairs. Then you might win a few dollars and get to tell the recipient that the item won a ribbon. This pattern is the Swing Dress from Sew Hip magazine, issues 9 and 36.

KITCHEN ITEMS

The kitchen is a great place for sewn gifts. Potholders, pie carriers, trivets, placemats, tablecloths--most projects are small enough to be made quickly, and they're easy to coordinate to a person's tastes. 

A woman whose children I used to watch asked me to pick up some pot holders one day. The store didn't have any, but I had plenty of fabric in her favorite color as well as InsuleBrite and cotton batting. I made one and she immediately commissioned two more. Simple strip-quilting and zig-zagging the edges: took half an hour.

These were all made with the same method; Christmas presents for my cousins and aunts and uncles. I was able to finish them all assembly-line style over the course of a few days.

This heart-shaped pot hold takes a bit more time, but is more charming.

This fits around a pie tin, making it easier to carry the dessert and keep it warm. I reverse-engineered from a similar piece; I'll eventually put up a tutorial on it.

Keep in mind your recipient's decor and favorite colors, sports teams, animals, and other things to make picking the fabric easier. If you're looking for a really specific pattern, it might be easier to find what you're looking for online. If you're not sure, browsing in person is a good way to find something that looks just right for your recipient.

TOYS

My favorite toy designer is Funky Friend Factory. Her patterns are so detailed and so easy to follow. There are certainly other great designers and companies out there, but I highly recommend looking to her website for stuffed animals. To see if you like her style, sign up for her newsletter to get a free teddy bear pattern. You'll probably want to get more.

The only hard part of sewing this lamb was cleaning up the bits of fuzz from the fleecy fabric. The next time I used this kind, I sat outside to cut the pieces.

Soft toys don't need to be animals specifically; these blocks have jingle bells deep in the PolyFil, making for a fun, colorful, not-too-loud toy.

Books are another great sewn gift. You can buy pre-printed fabric with panels to cut out to make into a book. Just be careful to line up the pages correctly! Babies will have fun chewing on the pages without ruining the book. 

Older children might like dress-up clothes,especially around Halloween. Again, pre-printed fabrics exist, or you can find patterns, or make your own. Dress-up clothes work well for dolls and other toys too; many children enjoy dressing up their toys.

Mermaid and shark tale blankets are popular, and not too complicated. You can even find fabric that looks like scales.

Toy apron to go with a toy kitchen. There are also patterns for toy foods, which look good enough to eat.

If you're feeling really ambitious, look at books like Little One Yard Wonders. It has a sewing pattern for an entire play house! It also has some smaller projects like play mats, lunch bags, clothing, and a ton of other great items.

Another toy-related idea: storing the toys! Baskets, bags, car organizers, sleeves that hold some crayons and a sketch pad--parents will be especially appreciative things to help their kids clean up.

Just a yard of fabric with at tube to to hold a few feet of elastic, and she has easy access to her toys without them being strewn all over her room.

Three guesses what kind of toy this scaled-up Runaround Bag holds, and the first two don't count.

HOME DECOR AND OTHER SMALL ITEMS

Throw pillows, pillowcases, table runners, organizers, wall hangings--I love little projects. One I've recently been into is A Simple Pencil Case, which I've been adapting into toiletry bags. 

Just slightly longer than the tutorial shows, but the same technique. The pattern's great for using charm squares or other small scraps of fabric. 

Much nicer to find little things when traveling, and prettier and sturdier than a plastic bag, and easier to clean than a lot of commercially-produced toiletry bags.

It's especially great when you can incorporate nostalgia into gifts. For example, my nieces and nephew are getting these for Christmas: throw pillows in their favorite colors because their great-grandmother gave me her craft supplies, and she'd happened crocheted swatches in their favorite colors. 

Tutorial can be found here

Pillowcases for standard pillows are pretty easy to make, too. I like the burrito method myself, but there are others that make more sense for other people. 

This was for the anesthesiologist who placed the epidural when I was in labor, for his next slow call night (the knit scarf was for the L&D nurse).

And think outside the box, too. Got some long narrow fabric, or several squares? Get some flax seed or uncooked rice, and you can make a hot and cold pack.

Or one of each, because if you have lots of red and lots of blue, it just makes sense.

QUILTS

Handmade quilts are keepsakes. But they're also time-consuming: before committing to a quilt, be sure you have the time and motivation to finish. Also consider if your recipient would actually like a quilt. Going to all that effort only to have it rebuffed is hard. If you're new to quilting, consider starting with a simple baby quilt: small, and straight lines.

I helped a nine-year-old make this when her former nanny, who is from France, was expecting her first child. The nine-year-old had taken a sewing class and knew how to use a machine. The quilt wasn't perfect, but it looked really nice and her former nanny loved it.

When you're confident in your skills, quilts are great fun. As with other sewing categories, there are countless patterns to choose from. 

Organizing Your Gift-Giving

Keeping things organized is key to in gift-giving. It helps make sure you don't overspend by losing gifts or having to pay for expedited shipping, keeps things in one place, and makes things more stream-lined. In addition to writing reminders on the calendar on my fridge, I have a few ways of keeping myself organized.

To the left, clips for each of us in the household with whatever reminders we need attached to them and a wedding invitation. To the right, birthday cards for the next month and a half, scrap paper, and colored pens for writing calendar reminders.

My favorite organizer is where I keep my stationery and birthday list.

Front of box

This file box has a folder for each month of the year plus one each for addresses and stamps, birthday cards, thank you cards, blank cards, and envelopes. I bought the white board and circular magnets on Amazon.com (the file box at Staples). I painted the magnets with acrylic paints and labeled each on with a person's name and day and year of birth. The white board has the months of the year written on it, and the names are arranged chronologically. November, the most full month, has birthdays on the second, twelfth, fifteenth, twentieth, twenty-first, and thirtieth. I think it makes a pretty visual for what birthdays are coming up.

Inside of box

Here's the inside. Each month holds cards for the people having birthdays that month, and for other celebrations, like Father's Day and weddings. I get most of my cards either at thrift stores (usually ten cents a card) or dollar stores (usually two-for-a-dollar birthday cards and eight packs of thank you and blank cards for a dollar). About the end of December, I fill in cards for the year after next--that is to say, I have cards in each folder for this year and the following one.

September--three birthdays, one wedding

I like to think a month ahead. The first weekend of a month, say August, I pull the folder for the next month--September, in this example. I can see by my magnets on the front that I have at least that one birthday to think of. I also happen to have an aunt turning 60 (I give aunts, uncles, and cousins cards on their milestone birthdays), a wedding, and a birthday for one of my daughter's friends. When I got this folder out last weekend, I started thinking about what presents might need to go with the cards. For the wedding, I bought an item from the couple's registry. The friend will get a gift card. The birthday of the person who has the magnet is also getting a gift card. I only send cards for milestone birthdays, so that one just needs a stamp and an address; I can find both in the front folder. I can get the gift cards the following week, and the wedding present is coming in the mail. All that's left to do is write in the cards and have the rest of the family write in them. If I won't see the recipient in person, I mail the cards or packages one week before the event (longer if it's going internationally).

Because I keep several extra cards, I can pretty easily be prepared for last-minute things, whether it's a birthday party one of my children was suddenly invited to, or a need to send a condolence card. Having a list of addresses in the same box helps too--while I have that same list on my computer, I can pull out the paper faster than I can turn on the computer.

If I'm really on the ball, I also get the birthday person's Christmas gift ready (obviously not a concern for people who don't celebrate Christmas). I can usually manage this if I'm not planning to give a perishable gift. If I'm planning to give the same gift to more than one person, like the present I have in mind for my brother and his wife, I give myself until the later birthday--so while I've made part of their Christmas gift, I really have until September to finish it, because one's birthday is in February but the other's is in October. This only works if you're fairly certain the recipient's interests won't change, though. In those cases, I set aside some money instead.

Of course, if you're planning ahead this much, you're going to need to store gifts for at least a few weeks. Some people dedicate a shelf of a closet for this, or a drawer. I keep two containers under my bed: one for Christmas, one for other events.

You can see yarn for my knitting guild's party, presents for Mother's and Father's Day, and some hot chocolate mix to send to a friend who's deploying next month in the left box, and yarn for the guild Christmas party and  throw pillows for my nieces' and nephew's Christmas presents in the right box (I sewed the cases with fabric in their favorite colors, then hand-stitched on some crocheted squares their great-grandmother made)

These boxes are big enough to hold quite a bit, and slide nicely under my bed. The white and silver boxes in each hold small items, like gift cards and jewelry; while larger items surround them. I keep a few extras in these, too--ten dollar gift cards for ice cream stores, a few books, and other small things. Again, if there's a sudden invitation, I can be prepared.

You'll notice the boxes are clear--presents for my kids are hidden somewhere else. And in case they read this, I'm not telling where!

Gift-Giving Basics

Welcome! This blog is dedicated to gift ideas for a variety of events, occasions, and recipients. Some posts will be about specific to one of those and others will be written to help you come up with your own great ideas. To get started, here are some basics.

The key to giving a good gift is to make or find something that shows you're thinking of the recipient.  It's a good way to show you're paying attention and that you care about the recipient. Obviously this is harder if you don't know the recipient well, but you can at least make the effort show. It's also important to make sure that however the gift is given, it gets to the recipient safely and unbroken, and in a timely manner.

Consider the recipient

• What is your recipient interested in? Seed starts or a gift card to a garden store are great for someone with a back yard garden, but of little use to someone who doesn't have the time or energy to garden.
• Do you share any special jokes or stories? My older brother and his sports team once gave their coach a slice of cake, as an end-of-the-year present. The coach had spent the season telling the athletes how they could easily win by making a few key plays, saying, "It's a piece of cake." He loved it when his team handed him the bakery box and said, "Here, Coach. It's a piece of cake."
• Will the recipient be able to use the gift? Is it a gift card to a place far away? An item that the recipient doesn't like, is allergic to, or has religious or ethical objections to? A heavy coat for someone in a year-round hot climate? A bottle of wine as a hostess gift...when the hostess is pregnant?
• Will the gift be burdensome? Giving someone an animal, for example, is almost never a good idea! Also consider if the recipient will feel obligated by the gift. For example, a stationery set is great for someone who loves sending letters. It's not so good if used to try to guilt someone into sending thank you notes. (I do think gift givers should be thanked, but unless it's a big event like a wedding an in-person thank you or an email or text or call is enough. I write thank you notes often, but I don't have the same expectations of others.)
• Has the recipient mentioned wanting or needing something lately? Gifts don't have to be a surprise. It's more important to show that you're listening to the recipient's needs and wants, or at least trying to. Of course, unless you're specifically asked for an item to complete chores, like a vacuum or an iron, try to go for the fun things your recipient has mentioned!
• Are you giving the gift because you think the recipient will appreciate it, or because you wanted to try a new hobby, or buy a certain item (or get rid of one)? If you wanted to try a new cookie recipe and you know your uncle will love it, great! On the other hand, if it's not something he'd like then the cookies would be a bad birthday present. Regifting something new, not personalized to you, and in a different social circle (e.g.; something from a work colleague that would be perfect for your mother-in-law)--fine in my book. Regifting something used or that will be recognized ("Didn't I give you that last Christmas?")--not good!
• Is a gift card or cash better? I have a lot of art and craft supplies, and know how to knit, sew, bead, and bake. It's a lot of fun to make something as a gift. But it's not always appropriate: my dad doesn't wear hats, so although I can knit a very nice looking hat, it wouldn't be a good gift for him. He does like spending time with people over a meal though, so a restaurant gift card is perfect. Another good example is charity giving. Sometimes after a disaster or tragedy, people feel compelled to give something to help. But it's important to first check with the relief efforts--money or gift cards to stimulate the local economy, or something boring like new, clean underwear might be more helpful than a handmade toy, which is beautiful but yet another thing to carry around when the recipient might be displaced.
• Is a gift necessary? My younger brother and I realized we'd passed the same gift card back and forth to each other one year for our birthdays, which are just a few days apart. We decided that in future, birthday gifts aren't needed between us, and we send cards instead. When I mentioned the anecdote to my other brother and my siblings-in-law, we all decided that a card between us adults are perfectly fine for birthdays.

Presentation

There's nothing wrong with using a gift bag (I try to save ones that presents to me come in because they're so easily reusable) or wrapping paper. However, if you feel like doing something a little fancier, here are some ideas:

• Breakable gifts: If your gift is fragile, consider wrapping it in something rigid. I bought a small glass animal figurine that one of my daughters had asked for, and the place I bought it from wrapped it in tissue and put it inside a small plastic deli box, the kind you see at self-serve salad bars. Kept the glass animal in one piece, and a simple ribbon tied around made it more festive-looking.
• Baskets: You can often find a good selection of baskets at second-hand stores, and they're great for packaging up a gift with several parts. Craft stores also carry them, and you can usually find 40% coupons on the stores' web sites. There is a wide variety of sizes, colors, and even seasonal themes.
• Boxes: Most craft stores sell plain cardboard boxes (again, remember the 40% off coupons!) that can easily be painted and customized. Dollar stores also sell shiny gift boxes, and you can reuse a box something else came in. If the box has a logo from the original store, some strategically-placed stickers or ribbon can cover it.
• Ribbon: A stack of items or several long ones (for example, cooking utensils off a wedding registry) can be easily held together with some ribbon, and you can punch a hole in a card or gift tag to tie on as well.
• Several items at once: When packaging several small gifts, think about the order you want them opened. But more importantly, keep fragile gifts on the top and heavy ones on the bottom! You can label the individual pieces with numbers if they're supposed to opened in a certain order.
• Using the gift as wrapping: I often do this with baby gifts, because my standard baby present is a baby blanket and a book. I put the book in the middle of the blanket, fold the blanket up, and tie a ribbon around it. Once I gave someone a slow cooker and packed (non-perishable) ingredients for a recipe (and the recipe itself!) inside it.
• Really creative gift-giving: My cousins once tied a (light) gift bag to the collar of their mom's dog. The bag held a photo she'd been wanting, and having her dog "deliver" it made it even more special.

Giving the Gift

• What to mail? Giving in person is great, because you also get to spend time with the recipient--and you know for sure the present got where it should (not everyone will let you know). But if you can't meet up or for some occasions where the recipient might be overwhelmed or busy already (like weddings--you can bring a gift with you, but there is a chance it might get lost), mailing might be best. Some items aren't allowed in the mail or to certain countries. For example, some states and countries have restrictions about alcohol.
• When to mail? I mail domestic packages a week before the date I want them to arrive. This allows for Sundays, holidays, and times when I mail something to the Pacific Northwest from Hawaii and it goes to Wisconsin first (yes, that's happened!). For international packages, check the recommendations for your shipping service.
• How to mail? Make sure your items are packaged carefully, of course, with padding for breakable items. Here in the US, I prefer to use the Post Office as it tends to be more cost effective and reliable for me. However you choose to send your your gift, considering a tracking number. I've only had one gift get lost (out of the dozens I've sent), but since some people I send to aren't the type to mention that they've received anything, I like to make sure the gifts arrive.
• Giving in person: Remember that not everyone is comfortable opening gifts in front of people, or before the occasion you're giving a gift for happens (my uncle, for example, jokes that my grandmother will haunt us if we open birthday presents before our birthdays). And not everyone is openly expressive. Of course, expecting the recipient to say thank you is normal, but not everyone's a gusher.
• The gift's ability to last: Is the gift perishable food? Does it need to be refrigerated or frozen? Will it expire soon? Is it breakable? Keep all these in mind when deciding how far in advance of giving to purchase or make the gift, how to store it before giving, and how you'll get it to the recipient.
• Timing: If at all possible, give the gift close to the occasion it's for. This is especially important if you've told your recipient you plan to give a gift. It's no fun for the recipient to be expecting something you've promised and never get it, and awkward to get a gift that can no longer be used. For example, getting someone traveling to a foreign country some currency from there is a good idea, but useless if it doesn't get to the recipient before the trip. On a related note, if the gift might take a long time to make or come from where it's ordered, allow plenty of time for delays. Sewing an outfit for a baby is a very thoughtful thing, but if you don't finish it before the baby outgrows the outfit, your time was wasted. As for ordering online or from a catalogue, if you order a few weeks before you want to give the gift, you won't have to pay extra for expedited shipping. You'll also know if the item is out of stock in time to come up with a back up plan.