Since all the women in my family are artistic, and some of the men too....Dad always did woodworking...everyone in my family prefers something handmade. A handmade item shows love, and that you actually thought about the person you are giving it to rather than rushing into a store at the last minute to grab something to give as a gift. I believe that if you actually make something that is high quality, there is no matching it with something store bought. The gifts that mean the most to me are the ones that someone made specifically for me. I have a fleece blanket that my sister-in-law made several years ago. It has gotten me through many hours of illness, and cancer treatments. Everytime I wrap it around my shoulders, it feels like a hug because I know that she made it for me with love. A store bought blanket would never feel the same. I have beautiful crocheted lace doilies that my aunt made for me. She is getting older and I know that those can never be replaced after she is gone. I have Christmas ornaments that my children and other family members have made for me. Every time I put up my tree for the holidays, I remember who I recieved them from and what was going on in our lives at the time. These are all things that you can't give or recieve with store bought items. I have a wooden napkin holder that my dad made for me. There is a story behind it of something that happened while he was making it that I will remember every time I use it. Dad is gone now and I will never have another thing that he made for me. I know that he had me in his heart while he worked on it. I know that I am not the only one in my family that feels this way. I have listened to the stories of where a special gift came from many times. TooMuchGlass, Please keep giving those handmade gifts! Even if they don't seem to appreciate them now, I believe that over time, they will mean the world to your loved ones. If not, then they are really missing out on what is important in this life.

Robbi, love your pics - & your cross-stitch work is exquisite! Your friends are very fortunate:) I have worked w/chalkboard fabric in the past, but never thought of tic-tac-toe; what a great idea! One of the little ones I keep is autistic & obsessed w/letters. I like the size of the tic-tac-toe; it would be a great tool for him to develop his small motor skills. Writing the letters, wipe off, repeat - right up his alley! What I did w/it was kind of like placemats that had a pocket on one side (for chalk). It was a great take-along activity. Rolled up nicely for storage in the van. It's amazing to me what wonderful ideas you all come up with! There is no end to the creativity on this board!

I think it's a swell gift idea and would be pleased to find it in my stocking so I hope your gifts were received with good cheer, Lynn. My friend's son recently had his done and was tickled to find some Australian native DNA in his background. Scandinavian/German/Italian was all that was in the oral tradition of the family, so it was a neat surprise. Our family's Ancestry.com hobbyist received an email from a "surprise" cousin that we did not know we had, after several family members' DNA was registered. Photos were exchanged and yes, there is no way to deny the blood kinship--he looks just like the rest of us, poor fellow. The generation of folks who might have been shocked/hurt by this surprise family member are all gone, and I am glad for him that his lifelong question of paternity could be answered. I can see that it might be awkward for younger families who find out they have siblings they never heard of, but I'm a fan of sunlight in dark family corners-- and I also think it's time that some kinds of families stop acting like those situations never happen "among our kind of people", lol. I also had my dog's DNA done and I'm getting our newer dog's done, too. Very fun to find out what went into these rescue/shelter mutts we love.

Gosh, so sorry to hear of his setbacks and the delay of your daughter's wedding-- but yes, so great that your plans could be easily adjusted. Get well gifts are really so varied-- is there a special treat your DD's FIL loves? My dad loved ice cream and Rita's Italian Ice. I also received a selection of Rita's this week after I had oral surgery. It's surely not fancy lol.. but I really appreciated it! Or maybe a decorated pumpkin and something seasonal? a pumpkin bread or pumpkin roll? Of course, he may have dietary limitations... but surely fresh apples would be ok? Apple cider? Does he have any brain swelling? if not-- perhaps some magazines and puzzle books? Or a table-top puzzle?