It’s OK if you don’t make any gifts this year
While the draw of making handmade gifts is tantalizing, many times it's just not worth it.
Dec 11, 2023
Every holiday season I pledge to myself that I will not be making a single woodworking-related Christmas gift for my loved ones. It might sound strange that I have to persuade myself to do less work in the shop. Anyone whose hobby is woodworking knows how difficult it is to squeeze in that nightly or weekend shop time.
But the draw of making handmade gifts is so tantalizing. There is such a rush of pride that comes with handing over a custom-made item for a loved one to unwrap. It’s an ego boost for me to know that I’m not just any aunt; I’m a cool aunt who can build furniture from scratch. I see making handmade gifts as such a strong expression of affection. I love showing the people in my life that they’re so important to me that I carved out a few hours of my free time to craft them something beautiful and useful.
But even some of the most simple wooden trinkets, such as catch-all trays or long-grain cutting boards, can still take hours of shop time to complete. It is so deceptively difficult to find that time after working 40-plus hours, not to mention after attending to all of life’s non-work-related obligations.
This is why I encourage as many people as I can to be selfish woodworkers. As much as your family loves you, I promise there is no one who will appreciate the pieces you build more than yourself. In the past, attempting to make multiple custom gifts before that looming holiday deadline left me far more stressed out than was necessary and full of resentment. So use your time wisely this holiday season and skip the woodworking gifts. If there is a gift that you truly feel someone in your life needs, take your time making it, get the construction just right, and give it to them the next time you see them. I promise your family will still love you if you don’t show up to Christmas with an end grain 3D patterned hardwood cutting board.
-Bridgid Meyer is a woodworker and video editor in Ohio, the creative genius behind the Dinkle’s Woodshop YouTube channel, and the editor of Dan Faia’s Queen Anne Chair video workshop.
Comments
Could not agree more.
This year has been the busiest in my shop history for Christmas gifts as several whanau have requested them - I have had to decline doing some projects - my wife is used to me saying yes and a week or two later the desired object has been manufactured, but with a firm deadline, a delicately hand-carved cat to sit atop a door was a request too far. A cloud it will be. I can do clouds.
Humans almost always underestimate the resources it will take to complete a project - typically by at least 50%. I recommend not starting anything if you don't have 50% more time, money and materials than you genuinely and honestly think it will take.
I love this sentiment! I'm scrambling to get some items finished that are taking longer than expected (my own design, so I can't even blame someone else! Ha!), and it would be so much nicer to relax and use what little shop time I have to build the things I'm really interested in building.
too true! sometimes the true gift of christmas is not stressing yourself out over a deadline for a project.
just wanted to add i’m jazzed seeing a blog from you, bridgid! i’m a big fan of your youtube channel and video editing style in general. looking forward to more of your contributions to the site :)
Thank you KT :)))
This year I decided not to make any. Every year I do it's way too stressful. However, I lucked out. A good woodworker friend of mine, as he's gotten older (late 60s now) wanted to transition to more CNC based work. I took a chunk of my annual bonus to help support his transition and I recieved nice hand made gifts. Best of both worlds.
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