I love handmade gifts - both given and received. When contemplating gift options for the "person who has everything," a homemade present is really the only way to ensure that the gift will be unique. I have been the recipient of some truly spectacular handmade gifts from beautiful paintings to printed t-shirts to one-of-a-kind ceramics. These are gifts that I truly treasure both for their aesthetic and sentimental value.
Last night we attended the birthday party of our pal, Charles - here is a guy for whom it is impossible to shop (not because he isn't incredibly gracious). I had a few ideas rolling around in the vast wasteland that is my brain but I was intimidated because my skills can be so easily outclassed.
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| One dare not bake anything for Charles because he is a gourmand and somehow manages to elevate the art of mile-high cakes to even new heights! Here he is with his (I forgot to take notes on the name) peppermint, mint-chip, junior mint, 5-layer cake! Obviously a bespoke jacket of woven, brightly-colored, South American fabric would have been a wardrobe redundancy - so that was out. |
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| Cookies are clearly out of the question because he, of course, has a friend who bakes/designs/decorates incredible portrait cookies. |
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| A pinata seemed ideally wacky tacky and fun, but we were beat to the punch on that one too. |
I finally realized that this "King of Kodachrome" needed something related to vintage slides that didn't involve a projector, carousel, or advance button.
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| A Kodachrome Kabin |
The love-child resulting from of the clandestine affair between a shimmering putz house (who could resist her glittering charms?) and a cozy gingerbread house - the kind we made in elementary school out of empty milk cartons and graham crackers - was the best I could do.
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| I'm not sure if it qualifies as a wacky tacky craft unless tinsel or glitter is involved, preferably both - obviously. |
I'm sure people who have birthdays close to or, heaven forbid, on Christmas must eventually resign themselves to receiving the dreaded "combo gift" or, at the very least, holiday themed presents for their birthdays; I say that there are certainly worse things in life but I for one am glad I have a little distance between my big day and the big day!
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| I included a couple of electric tealights that illuminate the slide house from within. The slides I used were of changing leaves and poinsettias - apropos but not too precious. |
Nevertheless, Charles seemed to like his little Kodachrome Kabin set in the winter woods. I had a lot of fun making it and we had a blast at his birthday bash. As socially awkward as I am prone to be, I met a lot of amazing, interesting, talented people and I don't think I embarrassed myself too much.
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| Mary & Charles Find it in your heart to forgive her for the dress repeat. There are so few opportunities to wear a Christmas- themed squaw dress throughout the year, that I made her wear it again! |
Well, tell me, are you ready for the big day? Are you making any homemade gifts this year? If you are on the "nice list" what would be your ideal present under the tree? Ponder these things as you enjoy the true meaning of the holiday - COOKIES! It is cookies, right?! Merry Christmas!!!
Cheers!
Mr. Tiny
