Gifting Deep

Growing up there were six members in my household. I am the second of four girls our ages spanning a decade. Early December my parents would give each of us $50, $10 to spend on each family member for Christmas gifts. I honestly would think about what I wanted to give for months in advance of the Holiday, especially what to give my parents. Sometimes we would join forces and pool our cash to get something extra special for someone.

I can still recall the delight in watching our father try to guess his gift, often mysteriously guessing correctly. He was goofy and delighted unlike his typical responsible Dad self. I loved this ritual. 

I have a particular memory of buying my Mom “chain by the inch” at the Frederick Towne Mall kiosk, having had pooled with a sister for the sterling option. It didn’t take long for me to discover that you could get a lot more mileage from the 10 bucks if you bought raw materials to make something. JoAnn Fabrics usually did the trick.

These early teachings about selecting, or making gifts honed in me the joy of giving a gift well considered.  And what makes it so? At the heart of it is listening, observing and paying careful attention. What would delight them, surprise them, or bring them joy? What would they never buy for themselves but secretly crave? What colors, textures, styles, flavors do they enjoy? Do they collect some quirky thing you would never think of enjoying yourself? Then it’s the perfect item and I say bend over backwards to find it for them. Remember the mix tape? I made a few in my day.

Also consider what would support the makers in your very community, our dare devil designprenuers, restaurateurs, chocolatiers, alpaca yarn spinners? Of course I gift a lot of jewelry but not always.

Gifting anything handmade trumps big box plastic land. Try local theatre, a concert,  a gift certificate to a favorite small restaurant or chocolatier or nursery, a subscription to a CSA, a class at the art center, a massage or my all time favorite as a child a handmade coupon book full of sweet favors.

Be it an experience or a handmade piece of jewelry, a well thought out meaningful gift makes memories and communicates Love.  We all crave to be seen, understood and appreciated, with the gift giving season upon us, this is your chance to give deep this year.

Here is a list of some of my favorites locally in Frederick County, it's short but it's just the beginning…

Jewelry           

InBloomJewlery - We are offering Gift Certificates to use online and FREE Shipping through December!

Chrissy Gemmill Jewels

Isabelle Glass

Stacie’sJewlery

           

Handmade Gifts

The Muse

Potters            

RobertStrasser

Jude Swafford

VanGilder

Forged Knives           

ErinAylor, Hawkwood Farm

Spun Alpaca Yarn & Gifts 
Sugarloaf Alpaca Farm

Fine Art & Classes

KesraHoffman

Ann Quinlin

Griffin ArtsCenter

Delaplaine VisualArts Education Center

Yoga

Mountain SpiritYoga

AnadalaShala

Sol yoga

Chocolate       

Zoe's Chocolate Co.

                       

Theatre 

Maryland Ensemble Theatre

Weinberg Center for the Arts

Nursery & CSA

Thanksgiving Farms

SurreybrookeFarms

Massage

AngieTressler

Jennifer Peppe

Local Holiday Shows where you can find InBloom Jewlery...

AlexandriaHoliday Market
DC Downtown Holiday Market

Chantilly Sugarloaf