By: Joshua Finley
Halloween spooks by. Thanksgiving gobbles along. Christmas is on its merry way. The holiday season is in full effect. Which means, it’s time to start picking out the perfect gifts for your loved ones! At least, that’s what you think. Until your excitement is crushed by long lines at the stores and incredibly high shipping fees online. Suddenly, your desire to surprise all your friends and family is diminished by the brutal realities of retail in America.
You’d think with days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, we’d be more than happy to open our wallets to the endless possibilities. But, that’s the problem right there. The possibilities are… endless. We spend hours doom scrolling through online shops and pushing through neverending crowds just to be completely overwhelmed by the options available to us. But, what if the most meaningful gift wasn’t one you could find in stores or online?
This holiday season, consider giving the gift of thoughtfulness. Homemade gifts are the perfect way to show your loved ones how much you care. Anyone can spend their money, but homemade gifts indicate to your people that you’re not only willing to drop a dollar on them, you’re also willing to give them your time.
“There is nothing like opening a handmade gift to know that someone really cares about you. Gift giving is a love language, and a personalized gift shows your loved one that you listen and pay attention to the things they like. A homemade gift doesn’t have to take you a lot of time either. Just a few hours on a project can really bring people together and create lifelong memories. That’s all anyone really wants. No matter what the craft is, love is glued and stitched to every piece,” says Corey Pearson, Chief Quilt Artist and Brand Ambassador at Linda’s.
When you invest your time and energy into something for someone you love, it really reflects the connection you two share. The sentimental tag on a homemade gift is priceless.
A creative and timeless way to express that notion is through quilting. It is more than just a blanket or sweater, it is a piece of art that is entrained with love and compassion. Each stitch represents the tireless effort you’ve implemented for the person you care for.
“When most people think of a quilt, they may think of a mix of childhood t-shirts, or memories of their grandparents, or maybe even cultural artforms. Some of my favorite quilts include baby shower gifts from relatives, graduation presents for seniors, or art displayed proudly on buildings,” reminisces Pearson.
There is a story in every inch of a quilts design and fabric. It’s not just a cozy addition to their home or their closet, but a piece of art infused with the tremendous admiration you have for them.
“Quilting can serve many purposes, but the stories that are told through the stitches are the true seams of the craft. Through our fabric choices, patterns, and purposes we tell our stories and leave lasting impressions,” says Pearson.
Quilting has a timeless aura that cannot be dismissed. Practiced for centuries, the artform really does get passed down from generation to generation. A keychain from the store cannot compete with a quilted pillowcase that your loved ones will pass on to their kids.
The holiday season is all about showing our loved ones just how loved they are. It’s about celebrating the connections and relationships we’ve formed and cherishing them greatly. Quilting gives you the opportunity to showcase that. So, as we enter the time of giving, leave the store bought gifts behind and give your people something a little more personal.
Published by: Khy Talara
