Opinion by Reagan Graeve

As the sun is setting on first semester, it’s impossible not to ponder sharing presents with family by the fire on Christmas Eve. It’s the holiday season. What to get your family and friends for Christmas is a question on everyone’s minds. Who doesn’t want to see their friends and family tear open a gift and instantly get a heartfelt look on their face? 

Choosing the right gift can be a daunting task. However, the gifts I tend to cherish most weren’t chosen, they were made. Homemade gifts are extremely underrated in today’s society. Sometimes, they don’t even seem socially acceptable.

A gift may not have an expensive price tag, but it may have an immeasurable amount of sentimental value. A homemade gift lets the recipient know that they are worth time and effort. It’s not just something they themselves could pick up from the store. 

People often argue that store-bought gifts can be more practical gifts because they serve some sort of purpose. However, a homemade gift can do the same for half the price.

For example, you could knit a blanket out of a person’s favorite colors or paint a mug for someone. Maybe even do both. One of your closest friends could be snuggled up in a blanket that you specifically made for them while drinking hot chocolate out of a hand-painted mug. Sounds beautiful and practical!

I find that making someone a gift can be a much more relaxing experience than Black Friday shopping. The Christmas music from the retail store floods my ears and puts me in a trance. I see gingerbread candles, fluffy socks, sweatpants and jewelry all around me. The fluorescent lighting and white tile pathway is infinite. It feels like there’s no way I can leave the store without spending my whole paycheck on Christmas gifts.

Instead, creating gifts for someone you care about can be an incredibly meaningful experience and an experience that can save your paycheck. All it takes is a few supplies and a little bit of imagination.

Pinterest is the place for inspiration, and oftentimes, the supplies are things you can find for cheap or things that are simply lying around your home. Homemade gifts often take more time and effort than a store-bought gift, but the memories associated with them can be priceless. 

Making homemade gifts is a perfect opportunity to spend time with your friends or family during the holiday season. Collect unique jars and cups and have a candle making party, or invite friends over to make baked goods to package for loved ones. Homemade gifts can come in many forms. Other options are making paintings, pottery or even woven bracelets. A handmade gift is always going to be a unique gift, personalized to the recipient. 

If a gift from the store seems too good to pass up, another option for adding sentimental value is by packaging it using DIY tactics. For example, old boxes can make the perfect container to present your gifts. You can repurpose them by painting the box, writing a message on it or filling it with shredded paper confetti. 

Now that I have given all my ideas for Christmas gifts away this year, it’s up to the individual to decide. Whether you choose a store-bought gift or a homemade gift, it’s the thought that counts. Christmas isn’t about promoting the newest fashion or technology trend. It’s about sharing the holiday spirit with loved ones through your own unique gifts and talents. Nothing screams “I love and appreciate you” more than a gift made from the heart.