Homemade gifts, your real thoughts.

[Itsmychristmasdress]

I am making a picture for a friend for her birthday.
It's not professional looking at all. It's obvious it's home made should I just buy something instead?
Are home made gifts really shit?
Honestly?
Yabu. Yes shit. Buy something instead.
Yanbu. The thought always counts even if the finished product is not amazing.

If I'm being honest,I'm not a fan of homemade gifts. Id rather just a card (or even a text wishing me happy birthday!) However loads of people absolutely love them. I think it depends on how you think your friend would feel?

And tbh she should just be grateful you put thought into a gift so shouldn't make you feel bad ❤️ i would say thank you and display it appropriately even though it might not be my first choice as the thought would be what mattered to me x

I love home made gifts! Even if the gift itself is a bit shit, someone gave the gift of their time to make it. It’s much more special.

I love homemade gifts, and prefer them as it shows someone put real thought, time and effort in

Personally I would not appreciate a homemade picture as a gift. More clutter to stash somewhere.

I genuinely really love homemade gifts. I'm financially comfortable and buy myself things I want as and when I want them so a homemade gift is something really special to me as it isn't about a cost or monetary value, just thought and effort.

I love homemade edible gifts, I'm less keen on other stuff, but if it has a personal meaning then that's completely different!

I think it depends what it is - something consumable e.g. lovely jams or baking packaged nicely is a nice gift.

A photo frame that looks like a nursery arts and crafts project probably not so much.

I think its a lovely idea, I enjoy anything personal. Just don't get offended if it doesn't end up in her sitting room

Honestly, it depends.
My friend is a fantastic seamstress and sometimes makes me something lovely, I really appreciate this but if someone gave me something half arsed that they weren't actually any good at I'd feel a bit meh. Obviously I wouldn't ever say anything to them but thank you though.

Well if you yourself think it's a bit shit then chances are it's quite shit. I imagine you'd feel all kinds of awkward giving it to her
Has she ever mentioned any interest in any of your pictures? Or is this completely random??

Urgh no thanks. I hate clutter and tat and a personal gift is likely to fall in to this category. Especially if it’s a glitter covered wine glass or something.

edibles - no thanks, I don’t think most people have very good personal hygiene esp when cooking

It honestly depends. I have a friend who is fabulously talented at crochet and I gladly receive anything from her. I also like her things, they’re just my vibe.

But things like paintings/wall art, especially if you feel obligated to hang it in a prominent place in your home, not so much. It can be so subjective tastewise, even if objective ‘good’ isn’t in question.

Some biscuits yes, a picture no way. Art is so subjective and I wouldn’t even want someone to buy me professional art as they don’t know my taste. Then she’ll feel the guilt of thinking she’ll have to put it up somewhere or get it out whenever you visit.

Can you make her a cake or something instead?

If it's edible - yes, thrilled. When can I have some more?
Anything else - no thanks. It's not even as if I can pass it onto a charity shop

Depends. I have some items gifted by lovely people who are no longer here.These items have huge sentimental value to me but might be regarded as tat for somebody else.

But if you yourself think its ‘not professional looking’, why would you expect her to overlook that?

I have had paintings but always supplied sight seen rather than sight unseen! I love them but I don't live everything my artist relative does.

Food - generally it's a yes from me, but preferably only from people who can cook well...

Other homemade things - generally a yes but tbh mainly only if the thing being made is made well. I had a gorgeous knitted hat from someone once but it would only have fitted an elf :( it was such a shame! I've got 4 handmade cushions that were gifts, and two quilts, as well a couple of handmade tables. I love every single one of them!

I love getting homemade gifts, and i am fortunate to have some friends who are very crafty. Even if they weren't i would be very happy at someone having put in the effort and time to make something they thought i would like.

Unlike most other posters i would be less likely to like an edible homemade gift (fussy eater, hate to waste it) unless it is easily shared with others.

There is a difference for me between 1) "i made this for you because i thought you would really like it" and 2) "i couldn't afford a bought gift but felt obliged to give something so i made a thing i can give you". The first set always thrills me, the second set i totally understand, but would have been happy with a card.

I am not passing it off as a shop bought thing though. I am putting time effort and thought in to something but it may not look perfect.

It's a painting. She is a writer and enjoys art. I don't expect her to display it. But I just wonder in general do people appreciate the thought. Or are they just being polite!
These responses make me feel like I should scrap it and maybe people are just polite.

I absolutely love getting homemade gifts. My friends are very talented and make amazing things. I'm not very crafty, but I'm a good cook, so I just cook for them in return.

It depends but even if I don't like the gift I appreciate that someone took the time and effort to make it for me.

Two of my favourite homemade gifts include:

• A painting my neice did for me of something from my childhood that she knew I would appreciate. She matched the colours to my bedroom and people comment on it. She has a talent for it
• A former colleague used to make me the most fabulous rum & raison fudge for Christmas and my birthday. Nicest fudge I've ever had

It depends if that's is something your friend likes.

I got sick of gifting coupoe years ago..is it age? And now opted for acts of service or home made items. For holidays I normally contribute to the food to be served and gift home made gourmet cookies and biscuits. I also help the host with everything, cleaning, setting up and just being as helpful as possible.

I like it. I like the collection of random stuff that I put other people have made that doesn't match anything else; it adds to the lived-in feel of a home. I like that someone thinks I'm important enough to them to spend time and effort on making something just for me.

A personal gift is much nicer then a basic shop one. I make my own cards completely by hand and eveeyone always appreciates them over the boring standard shop ones.

My friend made me a “bumkins “ painting with her children’s bottoms which I thought was really funny and cute. Other than that, nope. I’d prefer a spring planter or some wine.