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Home » Blog » Mountain Living

Handmade Gifts of Thanks

Posted: Jan26,2016 | Modified: February 14, 2018 | by Karen

Sailing Quilt FlowersHave you ever received a gift that took your breath away?  I mean downright, total surprise and delight, to the point that you embarrassed yourself with sobbing gratitude?  I received such a gift recently...and I have to share it with you.

One of my dedicated volunteers, Jackie Grimaldi- local quilter extraordinaire, presented me with the gift of a handmade quilt.  Not only did she make it with a sailing theme (she knows me well), but she even named one of the boats Snow Cat-the name of our catamaran.  The time and effort that such a gift represents leaves me speechless...thank you Jackie!Jackie surprised me with a gift of a handmade quilt.

"Thank You" gifts with a homemade touch

In the CSU Extension office we work with a lot of volunteers.  Members of the community volunteer to be Master Gardeners, Master Food Safety Advisers, Energy Masters and 4-H Leaders.  We couldn't do what we do without them.  So how would you acknowledge 150 people each year?  I'm afraid we always fall short giving these people the acknowledgement they deserve.

How do you show your appreciation to the special people in your life?  Do you send a note, make a meal or craft a handmade item?  It has always been both a pleasure and a curse that I like to give hand-made items.  It's a pleasure to make just the right gift, but it's a curse because I don't have time to make many gifts.

This year I found a compromise between homemade and easy when giving a "thank you" gift to my 4-H volunteers.  I made jars of healthy soup mix for my "souper" volunteers.

 

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  1. Maureen says

    January 28, 2016 at 9:26 am

    What a beautiful and generous gift!

    Reply
  2. ann says

    January 27, 2016 at 8:39 am

    This is such a cute idea! I will have to think of some ideas for my future volunteers!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 27, 2016 at 10:24 am

      These gift jars turned out to be quite inexpensive and easy to assemble. It also feels wonderful to give a healthy gift!

      Reply
  3. Megan Moore-Kemp says

    January 27, 2016 at 8:32 am

    Karen, you made me that "sleeve" bag that I can't part with, I think it's so creative and cool!

    Reply
  4. Barb Parnell says

    January 27, 2016 at 7:31 am

    Yum! I love getting gifts like this. I saw the quilt in your office and it is extraordinary.

    Reply
  5. Deb Alpe says

    January 27, 2016 at 7:20 am

    Wow!!!! Just wow!!!!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 27, 2016 at 10:27 am

      I agree...wow! I can't imagine how many hours Jackie put into making such a beautifully quilted wall hanging.

      Reply
Karen and Dean hiking at Grand Targhee, WY

Hello - I'm Karen!

I live in Steamboat Springs Colorado, "The Boat" with my husband Dean. This blog is a place for us to share our love of sailing, food and life in The Boat.

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