Random Giveaway #12: Making or Buying Holiday Gifts

Today, I wrapped up the last bit of work on a couple of paintings we're sending to my in-laws. In general, we have most of the family and friends on board with the whole we-won't-get-you-anything-and-please-don't-get-us-anything plan for Christmas, but my mother/father-in-law are quite stubborn and refuse to go this route. So, we decided that we would make their Christmas gifts this year (as we have over the past several Christmases). Sam was busy working on some pottery to send off when he became quite ill for over a week, which put a hitch in our plan. Because I was in the middle of finals, I didn't think I'd have time to make anything, but I figured I would give it a go and paint small portraits of their two Jack Russell Terriers. While it's not my finest work, I remain hopeful that they will appreciate the thought (and understand that I really only had a couple of days to get them done to get them out in time for the holiday).

I tried, but I wish I'd had more time with these pup-portraits

For this giveaway, I'm wondering if others have been successful with a holiday season of making gifts for others? Do you have a policy of giving only hand made gifts, only store bought presents, or a combination of the two? Please leave your response in comments before Saturday, December 24, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. MST. The comment form will serve as the time stamp indicator and any entries after that time will not be included in the giveaway selection process. If you have not read the rules for the giveaway, please do so by clicking here.

The gift for this round will be a bicycle sculpture/business card holder (pictured above - business cards not included). I look forward to reading about how others deal with the gift giving season and its challenges.