I was in a chairty shop the other day and overheard a discussion about Christmas presents - the lady in the shop thought that Christmas presents were all a waste of time and money. Her reasoning was that if you buy something for £5 for someone, they could easily have afforded it themselves and got themselves something they actually wanted. Which is probably completely true!
This inspired me to have a go at a 'handmade' Christmas present - something with a little bit of thought and that cannot be bought elsewhere. I bought this rather worse-for-wear chair for a mere £2 (then carried it all the way through town back to my house, trying not to laugh, haha). Then I got some leftover glossy white paint and some spare material to cover the seat, and got cracking on upcycling the chair!
I wanted it to have a 'shabby chic' look, so as the paint was drying I used a slightly damp sponge to rub bits off.
What do you think about giving upcycled or handmade things as presents? Is it stingy, or are they better than conventional gifts?
Sadie xxx
39 comments:
Definitely better! I love upcycling!
Aw, that is a great idea! I am sure your mom will love it!
I bought handmade/vintage presents for my girlfriends this year. I think its nice to give a gift that has thought behind it.
amazing idea! i love how you've rubbed the paint off in places, it makes it look so chic and more elegant as well!
i'm glad you liked my homemade gift ideas too :)
Loveeee it! If someone gave me that chair I'd sit on it all the time! (and I mean that, its beautiful) I often make gifts or find cute second hand things for people for xmas but this year I just haven't had time (university and loads of shifts at work) But me and my friends aren't buying for each other we're just all going out for a big meal which is probably for the best considering my loan hasn't come through yet! Have a nice xmas love! :)
x
Oh really cool! The chair looks great! What a nifty idea! I love secondhand stores! Your mother is going to love that chair especially since you upcycled it!
Fantastic idea with the sponge to give it that vintage look.
Lovely gift; I think it's definitely the thought that counts. Simple materialistic gifts are ridiculous.
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I think the chair looks amazing! Perfect christmas present idea! xx
I think the fact that you have put effort into the gift makes it more special. The chair looks beautiful.
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Very nice work! Beautiful little chair!! ..and a fabulous idea :-)
wow beautiful work Sadie! that chair looks so very good now!
leen
What a great job, well done! This is on my list of things to do.
Handmade presents are absolutely better because they are unique, personal and thoughtful. Anyone can buy a gift box from Boots and it doesn't take much effort, but I think handmade gifts are more heartfelt.
However, I don't think bought presents at Xmas are pointless because people often feel guilty treating themselves and wouldn't buy frivolous/pampering gifts normally and so Xmas is th only time they get them via friends etc. Plus, they're fun to open!
Alot of people don't have the time/inclination/creativity/skills etc either, so all in all (after my little essay), both types of present have a place under the tree :-)
You did a really fantastic job, this post is inspiring!
Love the chair! I think its better than buying someone a present as you've actually worked on it rather than just going into a shop.
xx
What a wonderful idea! Youre mum's going to love it :) Don't know if you watched any of Kirsty's Homemade Christmas (it was on channel 4, or 4od if you missed it!) but it was all about this kind of stuff, hand making christmas presents and making new lovely things out of old things :)
I think its a great idea, it shows you put thought and love into the present, and makes the person who receives it feel special :) xxx
This looks amazing Sadie!!! I absolutely adore it. I sometimes thing these type of gifts are better than just going to a store and buying something off the rack. You put time and effort into their gift and it's one of a kind.
XOXO
lululetty.blogspot.com
Wow cool idea! You could definately sell that chair and get quite a reasonable profit for it :) Oh and I bought The Crystal Slipper Locket from The Wellington Boot. http://www.thewellingtonboot.com/Necklace%20-%20The%20Crystal%20Slipper.htm
x
oooooooh looks lovely xxx
Beautiful! I've been thinking about doing this for a bit, there's some wood chairs in the high st ken oxfam and I really wanted to try this look and see if it worked.. it looks great! Really impressed, v creative! xxxx
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I don't celebrate christmas, but I think upcycled or handmade things is the best gift ever..it's waaayy better than traditional gift :)
This is so great! I love the choice of the white paint.
I like it!! Love the white paint!!
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I like it- very crafty. Definately the way forward- all of our kitchen chairs were upcycled from the local recyling center (ssssh..don't tell). They give them away and there is so much other lovely stuff that just needs a polish!
i think upcycling is a great idea but i can never get my hands on the materials to get creative. but youve inspired me to try something like this! this chairs looks rather lovely, you did fantastic! x
definitely better! i love getting something that someone spent time on, it's so much more meaningful than something bought at a store.
Such a beautiful chair, i think upcycling is definetly the way to go! I was planning to make almost all of my christmas gifts but with numerous shifts at work and uni work i've only made a handful so far, hopefully i'll find some more time soon :) xx
Oh, what a great idea, love it!!
think that it depends of the person. Handmade or recycled gifts are great and original, and I prefer them; but if I need something (like, for example, a new pair of trainers), I prefer a new ones than a recycled ones XD. So everything goes with the needs of the person, I supose!
Great idea! :)
I love this! so, so much. it's that kind of furniture that I'm really drawn to, I've been collecting images like that for a while now to post on my blog at some point... there's an old wardrobe and a little dressing table, amongst others, and they're absolutely beautiful, but not home made, sadly.
your mum will love it!xxx
omg i love this, it gives me inspiration to do those things by myself! xoxo
I think nothing could be more thoughtful or personal! Much lovelier than the thoughtless generic presents people usually give. And it's a beautiful chair of course, there's 'stingy' about it!
wow wow wow!
i adore this
i've always wanted to do this with a chair..
your lovely.
xoxo
thelittledeers.blogspot.com
Great job on the chair, very inspirational :)
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nice chair, sweetttt
This old chairs looks great,
I love old furniture
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