What's The Best Gift You Ever Received? How About Gave?

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Permalink Reply by foolery on December 22, 2008 at 10:40am

So many wonderful gifts come to mind, but my favorites have always been the handmade ones. My brother took our old wooden rocking chair (sized for toddlers) that he found in our parents' storage room, and refinished it for my girls. A simple gift but an act of love. He also bought us a wooden porch swing and stained and varnished it himself, for our wedding present. But the one that springs to mind first was a wedding gift from my Aunt Liz. She must have saved my uncle's old jeans, or picked up old Levis at yard sales. She cut them into small triangles and made them into a quilt, backed with a gingham check, sewn with red thread, and signed in the corner. It's a picnic blanket, and we have used it on countless 4th of July's, etc. It also makes a great bedspread.

I only wish I could be that clever, but I suck at gift-giving. Interesting career choice, as a gift store owner, huh?

Laurie

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Permalink Reply by Darcy Cruwys on December 22, 2008 at 11:55am

I LOVE that! My faves are always the handmade ones too. AND the sentimental. The past few years, my mom has started giving family heirlooms as gifts. I have to say, I probably treasure the things that have passed from generation to generation above all my possessions, valuable or not!

foolery said:

So many wonderful gifts come to mind, but my favorites have always been the handmade ones. My brother took our old wooden rocking chair (sized for toddlers) that he found in our parents' storage room, and refinished it for my girls. A simple gift but an act of love. He also bought us a wooden porch swing and stained and varnished it himself, for our wedding present. But the one that springs to mind first was a wedding gift from my Aunt Liz. She must have saved my uncle's old jeans, or picked up old Levis at yard sales. She cut them into small triangles and made them into a quilt, backed with a gingham check, sewn with red thread, and signed in the corner. It's a picnic blanket, and we have used it on countless 4th of July's, etc. It also makes a great bedspread.

I only wish I could be that clever, but I suck at gift-giving. Interesting career choice, as a gift store owner, huh?

Laurie

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Permalink Reply by Cori on February 4, 2009 at 4:27pm

I think the best gift I ever gave was a photobook I made this Christmas of pictures of my daughter. She was 18 months old at Christmas and I spend WEEKS editing and piecing together the whole thing. Everyone loved it, and I got so many compliments on my photography skills. I think that's the best part. I was praised for doing something I loved. It validated the time I spend on it. So, I guess that was my best present!

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Permalink Reply by Darcy Cruwys on April 5, 2009 at 6:43pm

Photobooks are the BEST Christmas presents! My mom makes one every Christmas for my daughter, chronicling her life over the past year. We cherish them!

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Permalink Reply by Jen Slayden on March 14, 2009 at 9:30am

One of the best gifts i ever received I didn't find out until years and years later. When I was in middle school my large family had a tough time getting by on only my dads teaching salary. I was in orchestra at the time, with a teacher named Mrs. Reynolds. She had also taught two of my older siblings. I played the cello but we couldn't afford to take private lessons. I quit playing in high school, because it wasn't cool. In college I REALLY missed it, started playing again. It was at that time my parents informed me of Mrs. Reynolds death, and also that they had promised her never to tell me that she had payed for my private lessons for years. I felt terrible that I was never able to thank her in person and that I had stopped playing. However, it led me to a career in music, and I dedicated my Senior Recital in college to her. I continue to draw strength and inspiration from a teacher years ago.
The best kind of philanthropy comes from the heart, without the need for displaying your generosity to the public.

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Permalink Reply by Darcy Cruwys on April 5, 2009 at 6:46pm

Jen -- can't remember if I sent you a message about this, but LOVE this story. It so perfectly illustrates the effect we can have on other's lives -- sometimes enough to even change their paths. What a sweet, sweet lady Mrs. Reynolds was. :)

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Permalink Reply by Michelle Cheek on April 9, 2009 at 5:59am

I loved your story as well. Thank you for the compliment on my drawing. I need to do more. As soon as I have time to fit it in during nap time. Chores around the house have been coming first.

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Permalink Reply by Darcy Cruwys on April 5, 2009 at 6:48pm

I worked in the publishing industry for many years -- specifically, for quilting/sewing magazines (Quilter's Newsletter, Quiltmaker, McCall's Quilting, Quick Quilts, etc.) -- and I KNOW what an awesome gift one of those machines is -- wow!

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Permalink Reply by Michelle Cheek on April 7, 2009 at 11:37pm

The best gift I ever received-My daughter, wonderful husband, and supportive family. A few years back, 2005, I finally drew up enough courage to leave a terribly abusive relationship that lasted twelve long years. We were not married, thank goodness. I left him in the middle of the night because I was not allowed to leave. I had tried numerous times. I left all my possessions, including my purse. Starting over with the help of my parents and sisters was great. I was not allowed to see them or call them for a few years when I was with my ex. I can't believe how great my life has turned out. I couldn't have dreamed I would be so blessed with my family, then my husband, and now our beautiful baby girl. I am truly blessed.

The best gift I ever gave? I have drawn some pretty pictures over the years. Luckily I gave one to my parents and just a couple of years ago, I gave my niece a nice pencil drawing of a mare with a colt. I'll see if I can download a picture of it I have on file. It is in the attachment below.

Lucky to be here,
Proud Momma in Kentucky,
Michelle

Attachments:

• 001.JPG, 455 KB

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Permalink Reply by Jen Slayden on April 9, 2009 at 3:39am

beautiful story, and beautiful drawing as well. you are very talented!

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Permalink Reply by Darcy Cruwys on April 9, 2009 at 12:41pm

Wow Michelle -- Have you ever considered pursuing a career as a children's book illustrator? Seriously -- that's REALLY good!

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Permalink Reply by Michelle Cheek on April 9, 2009 at 1:35pm

Thank you for the compliment and no I hadn't given that much thought.

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