Oh there's been several but I would say the best was the birthday scrapbook I made for my girlfriend Eileen 3 years ago! I "stole" her adress book and wrote to everyone in it asking for love/friendship letters for Eileen's birthday. I asked them all to write their best memories, in their own handwriting on really pretty stationery. Then I took all the letters and arranged them in a scrapbook!! I took Eileen to a tea house for her birthday lunch and presented her with the gift!!!! She couldn't believe it as she went thru the book reading memories from all her family and friends who love her!!
I would have to say that the best was from my father. For my parents 45th wedding anniversary, I framed the christening gown that I and all of my sisters wore as well as all of our kids. I printed a list on beautiful paper of all of the children baptized in that gown. Even the boy children were baptized in it! When my sons were baptized, they wore my husband's christening suit (which I have also framed with pictures of my husband and my sons when they wore it) with my gown over it. It is truly an heirloom! My mother, due to her depression medication, didn't have much of a reaction, although I know that she thought that it was great. My dad, on the other hand, had tears in his eyes - a very hard thing to come by. I was so proud to have come up with the idea!
__________________
"I know God wouldn't give me anything that I couldn't handle. I just wish that he didn't trust me so much. -Mother Theresa
Wife to Bob 6/26/93
Mom to Jonathan & Adam(1996/1999)
Janieb - that is soooo precious. We have a gown like that. My grandma made it for me, then it was worn by my 7 siblings, the 15 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild. It's still being passed around the family, but once it's retired, I think I'll do that.
So you are looking for reaction stories better than "And what is this???" as the sister in law dangles it in front of everyone.
We quit exchanging adult gifts after that Christmas. But the rest of decided to exchange handmade cards despite her.
I've been promoting second-hand or handmake gifts since my first child's baby shower. Only one guest had the brave heart a second-hand handmade blanket. That is the one gift we still use 14 years later. Actually daughter #2 took it over and loves it.
My family must be wierd because as I think of it, I only have negative stories- - but that doesn't stop me from trying.
I wanted to make baby quilts out of my wedding dress. Now I don't look good in white and I married a man much larger than myself so I knew that my girls would never fit in that dress. My mom was so horrified that she ran off with the dress and I didn't get it back until a few months ago. I've been married 21 years! One girl is a women's size 14 and the other will get close. I'm an 8. So now what? Save it for grandbabies or sell the thing on ebay? Is it an antique now?
I gave gift baskets of food last year -- frozen ready to go meals. 2 of 3 people loved it. My mom must not trust my cooking yet as bits of that basket came back to me over the year. As in, "here's some noodles I don't know what to do with" from the stroganoff.
To my son and daughter in law, I usually give them gift cards to restaurants. They work opposite hours and when they have a day off together, this gives them a night out together... They love them because I send them to a different restaurant each time.
For an Aunt in her 80's, ..she has everything tangible you can think of.. she doesn't need another blanket or robe ... but money is always a welcome gift when on a limited income... I'll pay her gas bill or electric bill for a month or what ever bill I can handle that particular month.
To an senior neighbor living on limited income, I've given them a gift card to their supermarket... there they can buy what they want..... I've also given them gift certificates to places like the Golden Corral... this way they can enjoy a night out as well... *s*
Making ponchos and throws are only given to those that appreciate the work and time involved in a handmade product.
I made an afghan for a relative... it took me 4 months to make it and over 300 dollars in imported yarn. She never used it, she never showed it... she threw it in a closet.. when she died, her daughter gave it back to me.....and I now have it on display in my living room..... pic attached... It's done in the afghan stitch and the flowers are embroidered .....I am so glad to get this back. I've made 2 of them.... In all my moves around the country I lost the pattern... so having this back to me is great!
__________________
Get a rise out of life!- Bake Bread!
"A hundred years from now, it will not matter the sort of house I lived in, what my bank account was, or the car I drove....but the world may be different because I was important in the life of the animals and the creatures on this earth."
I did get one gift back. I gave my aunt "something borrowed" for her wedding. She saved it for mine so it could be something old. She had no clue how hurt and sad I was that my borrowed thing didn't come back when I was still a child. I never forgot it and all turned out well.
I like to give disposable gifts to those with too many doodads. Like my MIL who is giving her collection of doodads to my girls as gifts. No problem getting the idea of "second hand is grand" to her. Oh I just made that up.
So I like to give her figures I make out of 2x4's and plaid scraps that she can leave sit by the front door - outside. A kinda square snowman. She actually asked for one for each season.
She won an award - very prestigious lifetime acheivement for her volunteer work- and looked for roses for her - on postage stamps! Would you believe I couldn't find them? She accepted virtual roses. She doesn't have time for more plants. And my SIL-the-grump is a horticuluturist.
So stamps and envelopes and handmade cards are a perfect gift!
Jeannie, that afghan is gorgeous!! Should you ever get bored, feel free to make me one lol!! I love handmade gifts--especially when it's made "for me" as opposed to something just grabbed off a store shelf.
The best reaction I got was from my gram--I cross-stitched a picture of the Last Supper. Took me forever!! The worst was definitely from my mil and sil the year I made them candy and presented it in decoupaged boxes that matched their home decor. Talk about never wanting to bother with them again...sheesh!
My SIL made me an afghan (more practical than pretty) for Christmas about 10 years ago. I remember I wasn't feeling well that Christmas day, and I wrapped myself up in my new afghan and took a nap. It's been used constantly since then, by everyone in the house. It's looking quite tattered now (I hide it when company comes), but it's still warm and comforting, and I think of my SIL every time I snuggle-up in it.
For the very first time in my life I baked Christmas cookies and offered a full tin box each to my parents and to my sis. My Mom looked at me and said with a big smile: "That is the best gift of love I could ever get from you, knowing you never ever bake anything!" That made me so happy! I had spent hours and hours making three different types of cookies, they all loved them. I am going to do it again this Christmas!
May All Your Days Be Magical! 
