Holiday Spending: A Handmade Holiday?

Like the name of my blog says times are tough. They are tough all over the country. The area that I live in has been on the news for the past three years as the highest in unemployment and the highest in foreclosures.

I mentioned to my family that maybe this year we should exchange handmade gifts. It didn't go over too well as you can imagine. Mind you all three of my children, two daughters and a son are very crafty. 

( One of my daughters is married and has two children of her own. My son also is out of the house with a girl friend and a 16 month old daughter.)

But they have been spoiled by better times and parents who wanted to give them what we didn't have when we were growing up. Even as adults my two oldest children think Christmas is still all about them. 

My youngest child who is 13 has had the hardest time of all my children as far as this economy goes. When I think back and remember the times ( when money wasn't a problem)  that I joked with my husband about how the youngest would be expecting a brand new car when she turned sixteen I cringe and think to myself just how different just a few years can make.

Any way........In the past I have made handmade items and given them to family and close friends. Then it wasn't a matter of money like it is now. Then I made things like cocoa mix, jam, cookies and candies because I wanted to and many people do not have the luxury of having a crafty person in their family. And they appreciated a homemade food item.

I have also made bath salts and soaps, sachet pillows and hand painted items. So I am very capable of creating beautiful handmade gifts. But the idea just didn't fly. 

Well the kids and grand children will get store bought gifts but not as many as they would have in years past. I am sure there are millions of other people in the same predicament.

What do you plan on doing this year? Would you ever consider exchanging homemade/handmade gifts?