Traditions

In our family, Christmas is a pretty big deal and we follow all sorts of traditions which end up making the occasion feel pretty special. And while there are a lot of traditions that make up the season, I think the most notable one that our family pratices is a home made gift exchange.

Every Christmas many gifts will be exchanged, but the most meaningful to me will always be the homemade gifts. The tradition goes like this.

Your given a name of someone in about mid September or October who you will be making you gift for.

You think long and hard about what to make for that person.

You make the gift.

On Christmas Day or Boxing Day, whenever the whole family can get together, the gifts are exchanged, one at a time, in a fairly drawn out gift exchange that allows for a lot of time for discussion.

I find it is such a great tradition for many reason. You really need to think about what you are going to make. You really can focus on the person who is receiving the gift because you are only responsible for making a gift for one person. You get to learn new skills and try out new things making whatever you choose to make.

Its a tradition that is designed to make great memories and get a family come together. What else could you ask for?

Here are some pictures from this years exchange. I made my Uncle Michael a compilation of audio recordings that had been recorded at our family cabin. It was a fairly new direction for the homemade presents. I received a great silk screened shirt from my cousin, it was her first time trying out silk screening and it turned out great.
















Kyler