Interesting thread
:
We are not totally homemade here, but aspire to continue increasing the % of true-homemade stuff and stuff made by other local artisans.
I can't say how the children have "responded" because this has been a natural, ongoing evolution in our household and not something that was suddenly dropped on them. Also, since they attend a Waldorf school, admiration for artisans and receiving handmade crafts as gifts seem very normal. I don't think we will ever reach 100% homemade, and the kids always get something that is mass-produced, not on "principle" but because we always see something that we know they would like and that looks OK to us. I have observed some tendency for the kids to be drawn to plasticky tacky MIC stuff, but they are not yet at an age where they want to fight for it at all costs and resist homemade and local items. Or maybe they will never get there???
What other crafts do some mamas do that are not fiber-based (like sewing, knitting, crocheting)? Not that there's anything wrong with these, it's just that I have never learned them and am wondering what other women are making....I make jewelry (for sale as well as for gifts) and am handy at painting and restoring furniture, though not at making it. I also give homemade wild blackberry/Grand Marnier jam to the extended family. I like jam better than cookies as a gift, because many people are all cookied out in December and January, but the jam will keep until they are in the mood for something sweet that's not
too sweet....We also, of course, give honey and mead from our domestic production. I haven't yet gotten into candle making, but that's on the list.
One thought that's come across my mind is getting someone (hubby? mom? a professional seamstress?) to sew some fabric gift bags of various sizes that we can put our presents into and re-use year after year rather than having to burn all that paper. I also want to have someone make re-usable wooden "advent" calendars (maybe only for the days up to the Solstice) that I can fill with small organic goodies and homemade decorations.