While this is not always practical (i.e. a 13 year old with needs for electronics), many would welcome a thoughtful gift that was actually made by a human rather than a machine. You would be supporting our creative community as well as the livelihood of an artist.

Beside your own work or that of local artists, you can find handmade items on Etsy, 1000 Markets, etc. If those on your gift list would not like a handmade item what about giving them the gift of creativity? A watercolor set, knitting needles and yarn, or maybe a painting, cooking or quilting lesson.

I would love to have all the readers of my blog leave comments with suggestions of handmade gifts or favorite resources.

I'll go first! My clever nieces came up with the idea of market bags; the ones you carry to the super market and use instead of paper or plastic bags. This would be a great way to use up fabrics that have not found their a way into a quilt and try out new techniques. I've even seen some very clever ones that were made out of recycled plastic bags or dog food bags. With slight variations one basic pattern could become book bags or crayon and coloring book bags.

Okay now it is your turn! What is your idea for a handmade gift?