Nifty and Nice

CHRISTMAS is just around the corner and one’s thoughts turn to what to give whom—the naughty, the nice—with what, all of which can be quite a problem if the wherewithal is skimpy.

For people who are low on budget, they can choose to minimize their expenses with gifts they can do themselves. This is perfect for those who are into crafts. Someone who is into woodcraft can make a small end-table that may just be perfect for a condo studio owner, or a picture frame for just about anyone with loads of pictures to be framed.

One into pottery can create a fruit tray which may just be perfect for a loved one. An artist can always come up with a painting, which will always be cherished by the recipient.

Plant lovers can always give away plants. And those into cooking and/or baking can always whip up cakes or cookies and other goodies like leche flan to give away. But if one is not into any of these, what can one do? There’s such a place called Country Crafts (Ayala and SM) where one can actually learn to make friendship bracelets, crochet a bag (small ones, big ones, coin purses, eyeglass holders, cell phone holders) or a doily or table runner, or knit a cap or a sweater, cross stitch a frame-able scene, or do some paper craft like quilling (according to the Wikipedia, quilling is a kind of filigree using strips of paper that are rolled, shaped, and glued together to create decorative designs).

With quilling you can make frameable artwork, or cover a box to make it a pretty container for odds and ends, or string beads to make into bracelets, key chains, nametag holders and necklaces.

One only has to invest one’s time (some of these things activities can be done while watching TV) and spend a little on tools and materials. These projects, says Country Crafts owner Ma. Luisa Concepcion, are so easy to do, even children can do them! And the workers at the shop are willing to teach one how.

For those with absolutely no budget, what is there to do? They can always give a gift of time, to baby-sit or house-sit, to wash dishes, to cook a dish for one not able to, to visit especially the sick or the lonely, to care for a pet and to pray with a dear one.

Whatever form the gift one can think of for Christmas, it is best that it be given sincerely, heartily and with lots of love in honor of Christ’s day.