Hi all, will try to keep this relatively concise to determine whether this is acceptable or not. I have afull time and very demanding job. In the last year I've been painting a lot in my spare time and my art has really started to pick up a fan base online and become a good sideline for me. I have just finished a painting which I know my fiancées relative will absolutely adore and it's her birthday in a fortnight. I'd usually sell an original painting of this size for about £75 and have done this already online with others. A print can go for about £12-£15. I was wondering what to get my fiancées relative and thought the painting would be perfect however I really don't know whether she will realise quite how much time and effort goes into it and I'd never tell her what I'd usually sell them for. I want her to have it because she's a wonderful person and I'm proud of it & know its to her taste but if I gift it alone and she doesn't quite get it does that look like I couldn't be bothered to get her a real gift? I know obviously what the materials and time cost me and the value of the painting in the sense of what I'd sell it for but I'm not sure she would... the alternative is to put something with it but then I feel it devalues the work and then I might aswell just gift something else. She has everything she could ever want but always goes above and beyond on my birthday and has gone out of her way to include me in fiancées family since I met him so I want to give her something special and thoughtful. I have spoken to his family about how much the painting sideline has taken off but I'm not sure they know the extent because I am still in a full-time job I'm a completely different field.
Yabu- regardless of the cost and time to make it and handmade gift for someone you've always otherwise got something lavish for will look cheap and odd, buy something.
Yanbu- if you know she will love it gift it to her.
Just to add, I'm sure the tone of my op doesn't sound this way as I've re read but just just confirm I'm not for a second suggesting gifts have to be high in material value to be acceptable acceptable give to someone, it's just we have always gifted her a decent amount as she is so close to my fiancée and I love giving her something special once a year.