Would you appreciate a handmade present?

[Litsea]

Or prefer a generic boots/body shop type gift set?

Handmade bathroom, aromatherapy oil type stuff.

Honestly I’d rather have nothing. But I’d thank you heartily and tell you I loved it either way.

Who is it for? If it’s a work colleague secret Santa I’d probably go with generic shop bought (and a gift receipt) if it’s a close friend who you know is really into eco/homemade stuff then they’d probably love true homemade thing, if it’s your 72 year old auntie then boots gift set.

No. I hate handmade presents.

I find them quite lazy, all about what the person who made them wants to make rather than what the person they are giving them to wants to receive, and they’re also pretty much all shit.

Genuinely with me it depends.
Is it the only way you can afford to pay for Christmas/birthday? No problem, been there myself.
Are you good at what you do? I’d rather have a good home made cake gifted then something that you knocked up because you thought it looked fun to do and can’t be arsed to learn the skill behind it - that’s rude on the people that have taken the time to perfect it.
Are you someone who would be happy to receive homemade yourself? If you aren’t then again, unless you are skilled at it I find it a bit insulting.
And for the record, no one wants to receive tie dyed knickers a la Kirsty Alsop!!!!!!

Handmade presents means someone has put their time into creating your present not just grabbed it off a shop shelf and waved their credit card.

I think handmade is far more personal and lovely. It shows that the person has put some effort into it rather than just grabbing a gift set off a supermarket shelf.

Don't understand the "ewwwww handmade" mentality at all.

"I find them quite lazy, all about what the person who made them wants to make rather than what the person they are giving them to wants to receive, and they’re also pretty much all shit"

How is someone physically taking time to make you something rather than just buying it from a shop "lazy"?

People on MN are so weird about homemade stuff (and presents in general).

Yes, or shop bought. I'd be v impressed with homemade though as it's not something I'd do myself. I like receiving smellies generally.

I'd like homemade food and drink gifts.

Nothing ornamental though...I hate the clutter.

I don’t like Body shop stuff (especially not those tiny sizes of bottles that are fiddly to use) and homemade toiletries are generally horrible in my experience.

I would rather have a single bottle of some toiletries people knew I actually used.

Depends. If its knitted, scented candle, edible or drinkable yes. If it's toiletries not so much, like pps I'm not a fan of receiving them unless I specifically ask for them.

If it was well done yes but if it looked looked like the novelty homemade tat on fb then no

Not for me.

Yes! But only of the edible kind.

I'm with @PrincessHoneysuckle. It's got to be well done and not look like the kids made it (unless they did, in which case I'd love it whatever it was)
I don't buy presents for people unless there's something specific I know they want, or it's a big birthday. I make truffles, using dark, flavoured chocolates in a flavour I know they like. It's easy to make them look professional, they're delicious, and they don't cost too much. They're popular.

Handmade all the way but possibly not toiletries due to allergies. Ideally food - on the Girl Meets Farm cookery show she made simple, chocolate-coated marzipan bars with sprinkles on and put them in pretty bags which looked amazing. Or knitted as PPs have said (I'm hoping for a lovely scarf from my ma this year).

I love handmade! But you've got to really know the person you're making for due to preferences, allergies and sensitivities.

I'd always prefer handmade, that person made a real effort to give you something and it's nearly always more personal and thoughtful that way.

My friend gives me wonderful handmade body oils every year. They smell amazing and are very good for my skin with no nasty chemicals - all natural, essential oils. I really appreciate the time, effort and the gift.

But essential oils are chemicals and they can give people some very nasty reactions.

I do homemade Christmas decorations - I've made 3 wreaths for about £25.

They only come out once a year if they're hated!

How is someone physically taking time to make you something rather than just buying it from a shop "lazy"?

SlightlyStaleCocoPops Because they’re not thinking about a present the receiver would like, they’re just making what (they think) they’re good at.

It’s lazy. It’s “oh I dabble in making scented candles/cakes/biscuits” so that’s what I’m going to give. No regard or thought for what the receiver actually wants as a present. It’s just convenient for the giver.

Handmade from a local market stall where the gift suits the recipient can be great. But handmade because you like sticking shells onto a vase and calling it quality handmade craft is not so great. 😁

Handmade (or even shop bought that aren't my usual favourites) toiletries would be graciously and enthusiastically received. If they looked really pretty they would be used as an ornament, otherwise they would go straight in the bin.

Handmade food, depends on how I perceive you. I have friends I would love handmade sweet treats from, others not so much. But remember everyone gets/buys so many special food treats at this time of year a homemade treat with short shelf life might not even be eaten.

Honestly though, if you are struggling for a gift financially I would much prefer your honesty, time and company instead. If you are struggling for a token gift idea, get me something you know will be used i.e. bottle of what you know is my favorite booze which has lots of price ranges - Gallo Family wine (£6 - usually goes down to £5 at Xmas), Smirnoff flavoured vodka (£13) or Bulliet Bourbon (£27), any size of Lindt chocolates etc.

It’s lazy. It’s “oh I dabble in making scented candles/cakes/biscuits” so that’s what I’m going to give. No regard or thought for what the receiver actually wants as a present. It’s just convenient for the giver.

As a maker, I do sort of agree with this! I like to make more than I can reasonably decorate the house with, so I pass them on to other people as gifts. (caveat - I do put some personal effort in - like crafting special items out of their wedding stuff etc)

BUT - I think this is just as true of bought-gift givers. Most people are projecting a bit when they buy gifts. Which is why MIL and GMIL have bought me about 20 scarves between them over the past 12 years. They are always cold, they like mostly horrid designs - so they buy me scarves.

I wouldn't appreciate it, soaps/toiletries are a no for me because of sensitive skin anyway, candles are shit regardless of handmade and with essential oils the scents are quite personal and can harm pets so are unusable for many.

Anything else... well I'd be funny about food/drink if I didn't know the maker well enough to be confident of hygiene. Jewellery/clothing/knitted items can be tricky to unless made specifically to the recipients size and taste and with decent materials - I've had a lot of shit handmade gifts that have been thrown away.
The thought is appreciated, and I suppose it's not that different to someone gifting generic gift sets that I'd also rather not have.

I agree with pp about it being a bit lazy, as in 'i like to make this so will force onto everyone else'.

No. I hate handmade presents.

I find them quite lazy, all about what the person who made them wants to make rather than what the person they are giving them to wants to receive, and they’re also pretty much all shit.

Totally agree. Although not necessarily lazy, more "get over yourself." It's all a bit "look how talented I think I am" and yes, 95% of the time they're shit. Of course you graciously accept regardless.

The exception is, if you make said item in a professional sense. Have received a stunning wreath made of feathers as a present from a friend, who makes them as her business.

Homemade presents when mostly the "maker" has no talent in that field, but have decided they have, are about as welcome as plastic tat. IMHO