Handmade Gifts of Thanks

Have 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!

"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.