kateyb

I, too, have a large family. I have 10 siblings and their families. (My total extended family numbers 72) They all want a quilt. I am gradually working on getting one made for each of them but it is going to take a while.
All 4 of my children are actually bummed if they don't receive a handmade gift.
My 5 year old grandson already has 3 quilts (2 were "cheater" quilts) Every time he comes over and sees a new one in progress he asks if it is for him. This year he requested polar fleece jammies. I made him 3 pair.
I have 3 close friends who I know would appreciate having a quilt.
Everyone is wired differently. Some appreciate hand crafts others don't.

fmd36

I would rather a donation be made in my name for a charity rather than a gift card. I would rather give to a charity in someone elses name than give them a gift they don't want/need. That is just me.(quote)

That is just how I got a goat and some chickens. DD and family donated them to a family in Africa through World vision. Readign their catalog was very emotional and made me feel even better about it. She also gave me a gift certificate for Joanne's....

Diecy

I understand what you're saying. I've seen it to often with many families. Fortunately I have a family that does appreciate what I make for them, even the grandchcildren. That's a blessing in this economy.

Katts 14

Stop Now! so you will stop getting hurt, sometimes if you donate to people you don't know they will be more happy with your beautiful things.

mim

I make a quilt because I love the design -- if it happens as I hand quilt that the quilt takes on a personality that cries out to belong to a person, then that is where it goes. No strings attached.

I once designed and made a quilt that I gave for my grand nephews wedding. Never met either him or his bride until the wedding. They turned out to be perfect for each other and the quilt.

Serendipity I guess. Several people have broadly hinted that they would love to get a quilt from me -- I smile and say that when their quilt is "born" they will get it.

JEM65

I always hope that when I give someone a homemade gift that they will love it. Sometimes I am very disappointed with their responses but I just don't give up my joy in making them. Sometimes the recipient knows how much time and love went into the item and is thrilled!

husband-of-a-quilter

I feel I have to chime in on this. I am not one of those people that shows the ooh and ahh response that people like. Now I could give my wife a pencil and it would be like the best thing in the world for her, but me, I am just not that way. My DW made me a beautiful quilt last year based on Movie Themes. She spent an enormous amount of time on this and then trying to keep it a secret from me on top of it. On Christmas day my DW with her beautiful smile and sparkling eyes handed me this package. I opened it, took it out of the box and said "oh a quilt" and put it back in the box. Needless to say I was in the dog house with Hero our dog. But I really love it, use it all the time, totally a work of art, tell everyone about it and in fact I call it my d**n quilt because every time I cover with it I fall asleep and get nothing done. Sometimes the response we get in the beginning does not reflect how we feel about the gift. I must say I am really trying harder to show my emotion of excitement better because the hurt on her face was beyond words.

QuiltingB

I've been lucky. For the past two years I've made my family hand made gifts and they were very well received. I made slippers, purses, a doll, warm caps, pillowcases. I feel for those who have experienced bad reactions to their hard work.

jean knapp

I agree I only give quilts to those I know will love them. Otherwise your feelings get hurt. And who needs that.

Karen K

I too have had many years of disappointing reactions to hand made gifts (or as my MIL puts it "home made").... I have a friend who made me start giving them again .... she told me she enjoys making her gifts (she makes purses) and she gives them out of love and doesn't care what people think... she continues to give them and just doesn't care ... I like her attitude. I enjoy the making of my projects and enjoy the giving and have just decided to follow my friend's lead ... given in love ... and let it go. I can't afford to buy everyone gifts, I make them out of my stash and make useful items (everyone gets a set of kitchen towels and potholders and parents this year got mug rugs or coasters). I don't share my quilts with many! THOSE are personal! Don't mess with my quilts!!! I make baby quilts for anyone who is having a baby and again, don't really care if they are appreciative or not .... other than that .... my blood, sweat and tears go into my other quilts and no one gets those without much consideration ....