Every year as the holidays draw near, there is a lot of discussion about Christmas gifts for friends and loved ones. This year, I put the question to our visitors directly: “What are you making for the people on your gift list this year?” The replies collected here are probably too late to be of much help for the 2004 holiday season, but you now have a whole year to think about it. No excuses next time!
“This year I have dozens of tree ornaments made for the neighbors. The pattern of choice is a camel with a wiseman. Also, several candlesticks and paper towel holders for the family. The lectern might even get done by Christmas.”
“I built two Chubby Choo-Choos for my, yet unborn, grandchildren, and two surprise picture frames to enclose #2 son’s and #2 daughter’s Bachelor degree certificates. I’ve turned several bowls from my daughter’s Cherry tree, but with so many in the family, it is almost impossible to take care of everyone every year.” “Pens, pens, and more pens. I send them to Kallenshannlwoods, and they engrave them for $5 and ship them wherever you want. I guess that I’ll make boxes next year.”
“My next door neighbor’s wife ordered him to clear out the shed for gardening stuff, so he offered me his Walnut for free. The whole time that I was hauling it, he told me about how the wood was a gift from his grandfather, so I figure I’d better make good. I crafted a pretty box for his daughter, to shed the guilt!”
“I’m working on a living room mantle requested by my wife.”
“I am making a dining table for my daughter.”
“A gun cabinet, kids’ table and chairs, kids’ china hutch for those little tea sets, and a kids’ stove and sink kitchen set. Hm-m, I see a clear theme developing, mostly dedicated to the granddaughter, niece, and nephew. I have to throw in a corner TV stand for our new 32″TV, also. Busy, busy.”
“Santa’s Helpers are continuing the construction of Christmas Toys for Kids. We have formed the British Columbia Toy Makers Association, and I have my 50 doll cradles finished and am now working on five more for neighbors and friends.”
“A jewelry cabinet for mom, Arts & Crafts lamp for sis, Shaker side table for dad, picture frames, and boxes. Yes, I’m ambitious, but in my family holidays are not always celebrated on exact dates.”
“Shaker boxes, a blanket box, and a display shelf. All, of course, time permitting and assuming I can get motivated enough to go down to the shop.”
“I am making two shelf units that are shaped like a house. I said that I would have them done in August, so I hope to actually make it for December. One’s almost done, so there is hope.”
“In the past, I have made a marble raceway, puzzles, and cutting boards. When the list is long and the time short, I make small boxes to use up scraps, quilt racks, and small tables. This year, I haven’t started any holiday projects, so it’s either going to be projects requiring no finish or a quick one, such as outdoor furniture or a pile of cutting boards and small boxes.”
“A trestle table for daughter #2, a bed for our best friend, a bookcase for love of my life, and scores of bowls.”
“I’m starting with a boat-shaped shelf unit for the grandson. His dad is a boatbuilder. It is kind of like sending coals to Newcastle.” “This year, it will be homebuilt toys; no electronic beeps coming out of these. Johnny will like a toy crane, Katie will enjoy a pull toy, and Susann will have a new home for her jewelry.”
“I’m going to make a blank book for my wife: Curly Maple and Jatoba covers with a leather spine. It should be an interesting departure from my normal work.”
“I’m making a swinging cradle.”
“A magazine rack to replace the one I donated to a good cause, and an additional five to donate to the wife’s family. Then, two more for my kids. The load is getting heavy.”
“The 18th-century pipe box in the latest Fine Woodworking. Also picture frames in the Arts & Crafts-style with quartersawn Oak and Ebony pins, and in Greene & Greene cloud style, of Mahogany and Ebony,”
“This Christmas?? I’m still working on last Christmas’ presents.” “This year, the gifts from my shop are a Windsor continuous arm chair and a sack back settee for my two sons. When I don’t feel inspired to work on those but want to putter, I generally carve free-form spoons and give them to anyone I can foist them off on. Years ago, my wife and I joined another couple to make animalshaped napkin rings. One would trace and jigsaw the shapes, one would drill holes, we all helped sand them smooth, and then the ladies painted them. We made a bunch and gave them to family and friends, as well as our respective church bazaars. One year, we also did this with tree ornaments.”
“I am building a knife rack of sorts, for the martial arts club (dojo) that I belong to. It will hold eight knives (tantos), which we use regularly. At present, they reside on a cruddy shelf, and I am making the rack to be a bit more presentable.”
“The mum-in-law has had a plain old nativity decoration for the last few Christmases. The figures are nice, but are sitting on a square board. I made a nice hut and added a few carving accents so these figures have a nice scene to work with.”
“I’m doing the same thing that I have done every year since taking up woodworking:I’m making promises and excuses. I have good intentions to build handmade gifts, but a family and job get in the way. Sigh; maybe next year…”
What are your thoughts on this? Add your comments below!
See Gift Gallery: https://www.woodcentral.com/gallery/?q=category/164-gifts