#50 on my 100 Ways To Be Creative list is to make a mass handmade gift for Christmas or some other holiday. I did this for my coworkers a few times this year (but not on Christmas).
Something like this doesn’t need to be extravagant and expensive to be worthwhile. I really enjoy putting together little things for the people I work with. We have a big blank wall in our office, and it’s a great space to decorate.
For St. Patrick’s Day, I made little gold baggies full of fake money. I felt bad because everyone assumed they were chocolate coins… but not all magic is edible. I also used this tutorial to make little shamrock straw toppers. I put a big cup of them in the staff lounge and sent out an e-mail, encouraging people to use them. I also passed out sheets of shamrock stickers and saw people wearing them around the building that week.
For Valentine’s Day, I made everyone a brown paper bag to use as a mailbox for cards. I attached instructions as well. We have a big collection of Valentines to be written, because a couple years ago I went crazy and bought forty thousand.
For Easter, I made little bags of candy to hand out. Unfortunately, that’s when I was really sick, so they were delivered belatedly. I also forgot to photograph them. But I did write everyone’s name on a glittery egg to post on the wall. 🙂
And last, but not least, I figured a good way to decorate the wall while there’s no major holidays, is to celebrate Spring. I bought everyone a fake flower, strung on a tag with their name, and hung it on the wall.
Have you ever given mass handmade gifts? Do you feel it adds or decreases individuality? Are there occasions you would be more inclined to do this on?