As I perused the internet for inspiration, I read several forums sharing numerous handmade gift ideas. In fact I found several great Christmas gift ideas for my family this year BUT I also learned there are friends and family out there we should NOT keep making gifts for.
So as you start thinking of gift ideas, here are a few tips on whom we should make gifts for and whom we should NOT!
DO NOT make gifts for friends and family that:
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Really only want your cash
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Believe making things is being “cheap” – obviously they have never made a gift before!
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They actually like mass produced junk and can’t get enough of it.
DO make gifts for folks that:
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Appreciate thoughtfulness
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Recognize you took your personal time to create a gift just for them
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Love individuality and unusual gifts
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Value the story that typically goes with a handmade gift – because it usually is all about them.
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The person who has it all. Store bought gifts will just not do here…
So now that we got that straight, let’s get down to the list of folks we want to make gifts for and inspiration around what to make…
At Shapeways this year we have a ton of new materials (Black High Definition Acrylate and Interlocking Metals in brass, silver and bronze to name our newest!) as well as low tech and advanced tech features for you to make the perfect gift for him or the perfect gift for her that will never look HOME MADE when it is printed on Shapeways professional grade 3D printers.
This week we are kicking off Holiday Making and for the next six weeks we will share a low tech creator option as well as new advanced features for unleashing your creative side! And if you have no 3D modeling experience but have THE IDEA you have to make, we will be spotlighting our Designer for Hire program as well. This group of Shapeways community members have helped numbers of people bring their ideas to the physical world easily and quickly. So check this program out if you haven’t already.
And our marketplace is also a great place to “make” your gifts this year. Look for community members products that can be customized. Add a monogram, secret word you joke about with your friend, or something special between the two of you that makes it a personalized gift. Choose the material they will like the most and print. This gift making option supports one of your fellow Shapeways makers, plus gives you the ability to personally make a gift quick and easy!
The options are endless and let’s face it, 3d printed just for you is still a super cool gift! Tell us what you are thinking about making this year in the comments below.
And Happy Holiday Gift Making from us here at Shapeways!
P. S. if your initials happen to be MP, Melanie has enabled this pendant for sale in her Shapeways shop. Just click the visual above and enjoy!