Textile Traditions Quilt Shop & Dry Goods
Fanny Sue's Gift Giving Tips for Quilters
By Sue Rhodes
Below are a few ideas I have used when preparing and packaging gifts for my
quilting friends. Use these suggestions to come up with a great goody for good
friends.
- Select a fun container (tea pot, mug, vase, cookware, etc.) and fill the
container with fat quarters in their favorite colors
- A gift certificate for a fun class will reward your friend/family with a
special treat they might not give themselves. Learning new techniques or patterns
is a gift that gives for years!
- A vintage or repro apron is a welcome gift for your favorite holiday hostess.
I often use the apron to wrap a second hostess gift, such as a bottle of wine
or bunch of flowers.
- Select a palette of threads and present them in a nice tin or basket. From
basic colors to wild combos, we always seem to need thread, so you know this
gift will be appreciated.
- Tin boxes with Victorian advertising are great not only for storage, but
to package gifts such as pillowcases, place mats or other small crafted items.
- Gift Certificates for their favorite quilt shop--one size fits all!
- Select a bunch of fat quarters in your friend's favorite colors, most quilt
shops will be happy to help you arrange them in star-bundles or in a cute
tin, basket or box.
- It can be challenging to wrap a large quilted gift. Instead, arrange the
quilt in a nice wicker laundry basket. Two gifts in one! If you want to wrap
the gift, those inexpensive plastic tablecloths used at picnics work great,
as they are large enough to cover the quilt yet drape well. Gather the cloth
at the top and secure with a festive bow.
- If you made matching pillowcases for your gift quilt, you can usually fold
the quilt to fit inside the pillowcase. Instant wrapping! Secure the pillowcase
by gathering into a festive bow, or attach a bow to a large safetypin and
pin the case closed.
- As you celebrate the Christmasl season with your loved ones, remember that
for others this can be a very depressing and challenging time of year. Use
your stash of leftovers to create a nice lap quilt for someone in your neighborhood
who needs a little warm & comfort. There are charities who can distribute
them to needy persons for you if you wish.
- Don't forget our seniors--there is likely a sweet person in your local Nursing
Home who would like to know someone cares. Don't just drop off your gift--a
visit will brighten their day. You can ask the nurses--they will know of someone
with no family and you can "adopt" a grandparent. Your visits and
gifts on birthdays and holidays makes the world less lonely.