This is my favorite day of the year. It’s the end of the seasons for me and the beginning of new. Today is the shortest day and the end of darkness with each day becoming a few minutes longer until June. It may not seem like minutes of daylight are increasing but I know that we are back on that swing and just knowing that makes the shorter days more tolerable.
Christmas is this week and I have 4 days to finish up all projects for the holiday. I think I made everyone’s gift this year except one. Most gifts will be delivered today maintaining the lifelong tradition of homemade goodies for neighbors and friends. The holiday wouldn’t be special for me if baking was taken out of the equation. The recipes are dusted off – these cookies are only made for the holidays. The smells and tastes bringing childhood back to me as they are molded and baked (and eaten with the numerous cups of coffee needed to pull this off). The last things made yesterday were the dog biscuits for Chester’s friends.
The gift giving for family has been dialed back. I’ve had to purchase some raw material but for the most part none of it remotely resembled the finished product. I’ve given each individual a lot of thought and put the spirit of that into each piece made. I’m hoping they feel the love because that’s was the gift is really all about, a token.
I’m fortunate to have the ability to do this. I sometimes think that everyone is capable of making their gifts. I honestly think they should try, the gift is so much more meaningful for the gifted and the giver. I also realize that telling my loved ones to make me something instead of buying it can put on a lot of pressure. For those that aren’t confident in their ability to create this can be a serious burden. I also think I say that to push them into the mindset of crafting and art. Doing so is a gift in itself – you will never know the satisfaction of creating something with your hands until you try.
I’m putting everyone on notice now for next year. Create your gifts, start thinking about them now. Do a little search on the internet, you can find a tutorial for everything. Learn a new skill, even if it’s just a new recipe. Cook a good meal, share with those you love. For me it’s never the finished product but what went into the creation of it. What did you learn? How peaceful did you become while doing it (that may take time). Put your love into the finished product and the recipient will see it – honest.