tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post1957375879496947583..comments2023-11-16T20:34:36.744-06:00Comments on ... MICHAEL DI GESU ... ... ... In Time ... ...: A GIFT FROM THE HEART ...Michael Di Gesuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17047267262428143113noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-66530522552698724192011-12-30T09:13:22.248-06:002011-12-30T09:13:22.248-06:00Those are the best gifts! I made everyone an abstr...Those are the best gifts! I made everyone an abstract portrait for Xmas one year... It was fun! Now I don't have time to create gifts. But they're always the best!PK HREZOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11650153097981426833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-51189802061740086152011-12-12T18:53:55.870-06:002011-12-12T18:53:55.870-06:00Homemade all the way or as much as I can.Homemade all the way or as much as I can.Southpawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16539290964546504171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-56121975487638077602011-12-11T23:15:22.825-06:002011-12-11T23:15:22.825-06:00A few years ago - well, probably more like 7 or 8)...A few years ago - well, probably more like 7 or 8) - my husband and I did a bunch of homemade gifts for family. It was fun, and well-received, and we still see some of them displayed when we visit. <br /><br />I hope you're having a good December. Sorry we haven't connected lately!<br />ericaerica and christyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13074820593371226159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-3083597263373640082011-12-11T18:55:23.408-06:002011-12-11T18:55:23.408-06:00Michael, just wanted you to know I've missed y...Michael, just wanted you to know I've missed your regular postings.Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-79042824972045063282011-12-11T05:04:02.017-06:002011-12-11T05:04:02.017-06:00I love this post - this is what Christmas is all a...I love this post - this is what Christmas is all about for me too.<br /><br />Often my family have decided to only do handmade gifts - and they still cover every inch of our wall space and shelves today. <br /><br />This is what I'm trying to do a bit with SantaFest too - a little creation, made with love for a bloggy friend :)<br />You're an inspiration<br />LxxxLaurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03604785269958873474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-16140047200523582972011-12-11T01:56:08.184-06:002011-12-11T01:56:08.184-06:00I appreciate gifts from the heart. I'm not pa...I appreciate gifts from the heart. I'm not participating in christmas this year because I just don't see why I have to spend ton of money only to get deeper into debt.<br /><br />My family is planning get togethers with lots of food and laughter. We all live so far apart its enough just to be together now and then.<br /><br />On a lighter note; I think my cooking would kill my family :)<br /><br />Have a great week Michael.<br /><br />........dholedolorahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08715849844092553699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-70314550571959861992011-12-11T01:08:31.967-06:002011-12-11T01:08:31.967-06:00Geez! I used to hand-make all of my gifts. The las...Geez! I used to hand-make all of my gifts. The last time was a family thing where we all agreed to make the gifts because we wanted the kids to appreciate the gift for what it should be- gifts of love not just about stuff. Unfortunately no one else participated and my nephews were very unhappy with the homemade block puzzle I worked for hours on. Since then, I put lots of thought into presents but no homemade ones- it's just not worth the heartache when they're not appreciated.Danettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15043881305977386629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-60463907725510381652011-12-10T15:12:30.827-06:002011-12-10T15:12:30.827-06:00Just dropped in to say thanks for always having be...Just dropped in to say thanks for always having been my friend, RolandRoland D. Yeomanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00338410857990551352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-56126952384105748912011-12-08T11:33:15.619-06:002011-12-08T11:33:15.619-06:00Back in the "old days", when I was a kid...Back in the "old days", when I was a kid/teen with minimal pocket money to spend on Christmas gifts, I used to make A LOT of gifts (plus I always enjoyed being creative). Now that I have more money and far less time, I don't do as many handmade gifts. So my story is pretty much EXACTLY like yours! But in order to make all my gifts this Christmas season, I would have had to start planning a while ago... so most people are going to get bought gifts again. But I fully support your creative Christmas goal!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06181241692016438730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-44892431813150379572011-12-08T11:18:17.880-06:002011-12-08T11:18:17.880-06:00you know, I think that's nice! And I bet your ...you know, I think that's nice! And I bet your handmade gifts are very well done and exquisite, so it's not like you're giving away macaroni stars or anything... LOL! I think it's a wonderful idea in a time when everyone has everything~ <3LTMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05239077455322030275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-70928607428716408362011-12-08T11:12:56.149-06:002011-12-08T11:12:56.149-06:00Hello, friend.
I love to bake. I plan on handing...Hello, friend. <br /><br />I love to bake. I plan on handing out a lot of food items this holiday. More importantly, I'm looking forward to the handmade gifts my mom has been putting together for our big Christmas together in Utah. <br /><br />The kids are crafting gifts for the grandparents and you are right, hand made gifts are the best.<br /><br />Happy holidays!Patricia A. Timms-McGeheehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08989800584001861716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-18508180569913646172011-12-08T00:45:24.975-06:002011-12-08T00:45:24.975-06:00My children were encouraged to make gifts from an ...My children were encouraged to make gifts from an early age. They are both talented. I don't know where they get it from because I don't have a creative bone in my body :-)Sarah Tokeleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13273148070092101085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-7787269900015927232011-12-07T20:24:44.149-06:002011-12-07T20:24:44.149-06:00This year our (rather large)family has decided to ...This year our (rather large)family has decided to spend more time with each other and less time opening presents and towards that everyone has been ordered to bring one and only one gift for a Yankee swap. And I for one am very happy to comply because I think Christmas should be about spending time with the people you care about and not about stuff. And I love homemade presents!mshatchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06308916014310536449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-40152141881817686232011-12-07T17:56:09.149-06:002011-12-07T17:56:09.149-06:00I LOVE handmade gifts! It's so cool that you c...I LOVE handmade gifts! It's so cool that you can sew, knit, crochet, and bake. Good for you. :) My mom is giving me a crocheted afghan for Christmas--I couldn't be more delighted! I do think the commercial parts of Christmas is getting way out of hand, as you said. The gifts are spendy, but kinda meaningless heartwise.Carol Riggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14092209912983783974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-19490292339936465732011-12-07T17:05:03.007-06:002011-12-07T17:05:03.007-06:00Handmade gifts are absolutely precious. They mean ...Handmade gifts are absolutely precious. They mean so much more to me than store bought ones. Most of my shopping is done and while I didn't get to hand make much, I did put a lot of thought and research into each gift to make it very personal.Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05130733681254163610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-23105044315414752092011-12-07T15:50:30.204-06:002011-12-07T15:50:30.204-06:00We do for each other all year so for Christmas we ...We do for each other all year so for Christmas we have $10 limit gag gift you can make it or buy it. Army Guy has a "Santa Christmas" but also a gag gift. The gag always gets the most action.<br /><br /> <a href="http://gigglesandguns.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Mary</a>Mary@GigglesandGunshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07350818228268801008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-88910957021363334982011-12-07T14:35:36.698-06:002011-12-07T14:35:36.698-06:00Meatloaf should not glow in the dark so I know bet...Meatloaf should not glow in the dark so I know better than to cook for my friends. Whenever my girlfriends would pose for my paintings, and they saw all I could do was stick figures, I got the impression they were not amused!@<br /><br />So handmade gifts are out for me, too. I am giving 100% of the profits from all my books this Nov. And Dec. to the Salvation Army. Do what we can, right?<br /><br />I see gifts that would make my friends smile all year round - and I buy & give them then. They aren't expecting it and it comes as a happy surprise. So for me, Christmas is all year round.<br /><br />I am happy you are re-discovering an old joy of Christmas giving, RolandRoland D. Yeomanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00338410857990551352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-64569856963498103512011-12-07T14:02:34.873-06:002011-12-07T14:02:34.873-06:00Hi, Michael! Too long since I've stopped by ~...Hi, Michael! Too long since I've stopped by ~ (I've been taking a little blogcation myself).<br /><br />I have a very crafty sister who makes most of her birthday and Christmas gifts for us and they are probably my favorites. My mother was also very crafty and when she passed, the things of hers that meant the most to me were the ones that she had made. There's something extra special about a gift that someone has made for you. Sadly - I'm not very crafty. I do love to bake, however!! Although - that's not exactly a gift you get to keep... lol. (except maybe around their mid-sections...)<br /><br />Happiest Holidays to you!! I think your idea for Christmas gifts this year is a winner! :)Donea Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15393184831994368021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-25746953206167020642011-12-07T13:55:21.599-06:002011-12-07T13:55:21.599-06:00Great post, Michael! I make paintings for friends ...Great post, Michael! I make paintings for friends and family, when I can. :)Carrie Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01540590799406170410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-32795911514624314652011-12-07T12:49:29.037-06:002011-12-07T12:49:29.037-06:00Good for you, homemade gifts are the best! I used ...Good for you, homemade gifts are the best! I used to make small paintings as Christmas gifts and I look forward to the day when I can take my paints out of storage. These days all I am painting is walls...LOL!Hmmm...You just gave me an idea :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04218651886143284455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-59510123849859775532011-12-07T12:04:19.546-06:002011-12-07T12:04:19.546-06:00I can craft and I enjoy doing it. Right now my hus...I can craft and I enjoy doing it. Right now my husband is in grad school so basically we're poor, and we make useful gifts to give our extended family. We also bake a TON for Christmas.<br /><br />The one thing I wish is that I had a sewing machine. It would be magnificent. Anyway, I love homemade gift and making them, I like to make them specific to the person I'm giving them too!<br /><br />PS way to go being talented at crocheting and stuff!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-78797370487419295152011-12-07T11:04:19.864-06:002011-12-07T11:04:19.864-06:00My kids have basically been asking me the same que...My kids have basically been asking me the same question that you address for a month. Why is it ok for us to give handmade stuff but you buy everyone gifts? I haven't had a good answer for them. Maybe the answer is exactly what you've presented...handmade gifts are the best and all the commercial stuff is just-well, more stuff!Johanna Garthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15515478890074610814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-6248016025791103102011-12-07T10:41:20.940-06:002011-12-07T10:41:20.940-06:00I'm not talented enough to make a homemade gif...I'm not talented enough to make a homemade gift that would be any good. You sew, knit, and crochet on top of all your other stuff that you do. The mind boggles at how much knowledge you have, Michael.Michael Offutt, Phantom Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10557969104886174930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-61558130424538191712011-12-07T10:00:47.289-06:002011-12-07T10:00:47.289-06:00Micheal, this post really resonated with me. My hu...Micheal, this post really resonated with me. My husband and I always tried to steer our children away from the material excesses of the season by encouraging them to make gifts for each other. They grew to love the giving part of Christmas more than the receiving, because it's so fun to watch someone you love open the gift you made just for them. As they grew older, this was replaced with simply the joy they felt in being together, and some years we even "gave away" Christmas to a needy family, limiting our own purchases to one handmade gift per person. <br /><br />We've had some financial reverses in our family over the past year and so I was feeling kind of low about Christmas. Your post reminded me of what's important.Karen Jones Gowenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01153821980625034810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-50938255624803344252011-12-07T09:59:19.293-06:002011-12-07T09:59:19.293-06:00I like baked gifts. Told one of my nephews who is ...I like baked gifts. Told one of my nephews who is on a budget that cookies would be fine - don't spend money on me.Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.com