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Original poster

Are home made gifts acceptable these days ?

63 replies

KurriKurri · 04/10/2019 15:21

I'm a bit out of touch, but often see threads on here where a lot of people consider home made gifts a bit naff so am garnering opinions.

A young couple I am friendly with are expecting their first baby after Christmas - I had thought I would knit the baby a cardigan/jumper/blanket, I am a good knitter, so it would be well made. Did you like hand knitted items for your baby or would you prefer if people bought things? (It's years since I had mine and I got lots of hand made things which I loved, but I realise times change !)
If your reaction would be 'Oh God what on earth is this ???' to home made, I shall go for soemthing from the shops.

OP posts:

fannyanney · 05/10/2019 09:04

Handmade stuff is so lovely if it's done well, not too chunky for a baby and made with lovely soft wool.

My GMIL made so many baby cardigans that were way too bulky and in horrid scratchy wool. They were never used. I did very much use things that were soft and practical though.

TheNestedIf · 05/10/2019 09:38

I prefer homemade stuff, made with care.

There are a few of my Aunt's crocheted keyrings dangling about in my kitchen (I get rained on a lot and don't want to ruin them) and I covet my partner's sister's gingerbread that she gave us one hard up Christmas which hasn't repeated as she seems not to believe we weren't just being nice, sadly.

TheScruffyDog · 05/10/2019 10:58

I LOVE home made knitted/crocheted stuff. My best friend is about to have a baby and I'm making a crochet blanket for her little one.

I'm shit at knitting though, I want to join the knitting club at church but I don't want to mither to be taught so I'm trying to learn off YouTube.

Gotnopokerface · 05/10/2019 11:11

That sounds lovely. It's super personal too.

4forkssake · 05/10/2019 11:47

Sounds lovely to me, although I'd definitely have preferred a blanket to a cardigan

dontgobaconmyheart · 05/10/2019 12:00

Ok, I'm one of those people that isn't generally a fan of homemade gifts (to be fair I don't actually want bought ones either, at all) and my two cents is that I would rather a blanket over a cardi, as would prefer a baby in easily washable non fragile things. A lot of people can't wear wool anyway, myself included so the chances of it actually being used if it were a cardigan are low, even as a blanket it wouldn't get much use for me because of the washing issue.

I would think it was very thoughtful and would completely appreciate the time that went into the making of it but whether it actually was a sentimental item that was kept and treasured would depend on how close I was to the maker, best friend I'd still be seeing in 20 years who will see the baby, or close family member or my DM or GM then yes it would be kept- otherwise realistically it wouldn't as babies get gifted so many things I'd be thinking to pass them on to those in need who would appreciate them more than I would, charity, refuge etc.

Probably sound a right grinch so mist stress, my appreciation for home made stuff is sincere, I just usually wish they hadn't, however good it is. Same goes for purchased stuff. Hate extra 'things' I don't need.

AlphaJura · 05/10/2019 12:41

My dd (17 mths) has been knitted a blanket and a few cardigans by MIL, she's her first grandchild so she got quite excited, she's made her a dress on the sewing machine too. I really like them. I think they're ok as long as you use nice wool and a contemporary pattern which hers always are. My gran sometimes buys knitted things from table top sales and some of them are horrible colours/old fashioned styles which aren't as nice. If you pick something in a style that's in fashion, I'm sure they'll love it.

Pannalash · 05/10/2019 12:47

I think it’s a wonderful idea, a friend knitted a blanket for my eldest and it’s something I treasure.

whiskeysourpuss · 05/10/2019 13:01

All 3 of mine have a beautiful blanket that a family friend knitted. They are the only gifts we were given that we still have & they will be given to each of the DC when they have babies of their own. DS's blanket was the last thing she ever knitted as she was fairly old by then & couldn't really manage but insisted he had one.

A gorgeous well knitted baby blanket could never be in the same category as some of the homemade tat gifts you see on Facebook.

PartyintheKitchen · 05/10/2019 14:39

I'd love if my mum or good knitting friend did that for any of my DC. I would prefer a blanket over clothes as they can grow with the child. I'm going to make my own for my DC as it's so nice to have. A friend's granny randomly made a gorgeous woollen toy for my first baby, I never met her but was so touched by her gesture.

I crocheted a blanket for my niece as a baby gift, she's nearly 3 and still uses it daily which makes me smile. I used v soft wool and a nice modern pattern so my SIL was happy to use it while out & about.

sleepingbeautyaurora · 05/10/2019 21:19

It depends on the gift.a handmade knitted jumper- good. Home made soap- fantastic.
One of those silly ' we have bought you a goat/ tree in Africa' type
Things -FUCK OFF

Cotswoldmama · 05/10/2019 21:25

I love handmade stuff so much. I treasure those gifts more as so much more thought and effort has gone in to them.

hoorayforharoldlloyd · 06/10/2019 06:27

You could use bamboo rather than wool as it's softer.

I like handmade gifts and received a lot for mine. Best are toys and blankets as clothing can be so personal. You can make funky modern knits, so think about the pattern if you go for clothes.

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