A Simple Present
SIMPLE PRESENT
Ever since I was a little girl I have enjoyed doing things with my hands. My mother used to sew and knit all our clothes. She was incredibly skillful in these arts and having three daughters, she always had a new project running. I remember her enthusiasm trying the new clothes on us, in front of a mirror, once they were ready. I have the vivid memory of the feel of her loving hands in my skin whenever she had to make an adjustment. I can even remember the cold centimeter touching my belly, which led to complaints or sometimes just giggles.
The handmade and the homemade has been for me, since then, a synonym for "lovemade".
When I was 21, and I was about to get married, there was a lovely shop next to my house, that sold cute linens which really fascinated me. They were made of cotton or linen fabric. Some of them were decorated with embroidery, and others with lace and broderie anglaise. They were just as beautiful as they were expensive. At that time I could have never afforded them since as a young couple, we had priorities. One day, I remember staring at the shop window and declaring: I´ll sew them myself, I´ll make them at home. I bought some fabric, and the next moment I was literally sewing. I guess the ability to sew was already in my family field. This craft must have been learned by me in some unconscious way, as I started sewing very easily and fluently. My grandmother, on my father´s side, was skilled in many of these arts as well. I can´t believe it when I see things made by her!! She was so incredibly talented as well!! I would have liked to know her. Unfortunately, when I got to this world, she had already left. But I keep this invisible connection, whenever I honor the handmade, the homemade that inevitably turns to lovemade.
I used to borrow my mother´s sewing machine and spend hours and hours sewing. I´m really thankful for this because she herself used to sew with it a lot. Any time I had doubts as to how to go about some new project, I would go to my teacher at home, and she would willingly clear out my queries. (No internet, no youtube tutorials at that time...)
This passion for the homemade, the handmade and lovemade has turned out to be my lifestyle, my language, my genuine way of expression.
It has become my most precious and valuable tool for remaining present, as much as possible. It has also taken me on a journey of exploration, discoveries, and learnings which seems to never come to an end. It has also led me to develop this taste, or passion rather, for trying new things, for figuring out new ways. Eventually, everything I do integrates all the things that I have learned so far which have lovingly nurtured me along the way.
Making my own homemade, handmade and lovemade presents is what I love the most. I enjoy the process of making the present itself but also the box or the bag or whatever I choose as a wrapping. But sometimes we lack the time or don´t know how to prepare a present from scratch. And in that case, just by thinking of an original and attractive way of presenting it, makes it special and personal. In fact, those very simple details are what really makes the present so loving.
Here are a few ideas for you to prepare a nice, original and attractive Simple Present. They´ve been made with basic sewing.
You will find that the procedure is easy and that the materials are very accessible.
It is the quality of your presence embued in whatever you are giving, what makes your SIMPLE PRESENT cherished and valuable, both for you and for the others.
Homemade, handmade equals lovemade.
Some situations in which you would like to give a Simple Present:
Sometimes we feel like giving some homemade cookies as a present but we don´t want to put them in a Tupperware. Why not decorate a nice box with sewn paper, or add a tag with some nice words in it?
If you´ve knitted a scarf or a sweater for a friend, it´s a good idea to put it in a decorated box, that can eventually be kept as a keepsake.
If you´ve been invited to a friend´s house for dinner, and you would like your friend to know how thankful you are, you could buy some chocolates or sweets and put them in one of these decorated boxes.
If you´ve borrowed something from a friend or a relative, maybe you could return the item inside a simple bag sewn by yourself. Just a paper bag with fabric handles and a matching tag will also be great. She will surely use it to keep something valuable in her wardrobe.