Giving carvings as gifts

[owlhause]

I'm looking for opinions....I've been giving my family Santa carvings as gifts over the last several years.

My question is: how many are to many? at what point do you think the recipient starts to roll their eyes (on the inside) and think, "okaaaay, another Santa carving....thanks"

I've never gotten that feeling from anyone...on the contrary they seem to be thrilled with them....but still....

What do you think...3, 5, 10 Santas?...when do you stop and switch to gift cards??

Greg

[kitaye]

Each person is different but a good indicator would be if you visit and there are no Santas or only a few Santas on display. Most likely, they have more than enough. Of course, you could ask them what they want.

[bbowers]

I agree that each person will be different. I try to rotate between family members each year and it seems like that has kept people interested in being the person to receive a santa. My mother gets one every year and they are always on display, so I guess she likes them. I think you just have to be a little perceptive and watch peoples reactions. Dn't give any one year and see who comments.
If they all get tired of receiving your carvings, then put me on your list!
Happy Holidays!
Barry

[Anthony Filetti]

I don't know Greg, why don't ya try it out on me. Send me a Santa a year and I'll let ya know when I get tired.

Actually you do raise a good question, but I can give you my opinion. I recently was able to swap ornaments with a well known and far better carver then myself, who specializes in Santa's. While I did have the option of having one of his Santa's I chose a non-santa carving as it to me is less common and shows the diversity of his talent. Would I like to receive a santa carving from him each year, heck yes, but even better yet I would like it more if it was not limited to a santa.

Now here is the caviat to this conversation, I would hope that the receivers of the gift would see how special your gifts are as they were created by you, explicitlely for them, rather than signing them up for the "jelly of the month" club. Your gift required thought and was not just something bought to fulfill an obligation or to appease the recipient!!

I do not remember most of the gifts I received for Xmas last year but I do remember how I came by every carving in my collection and how each one is special to me.

Over the past few days I have been finishing a carving for a friend who out of the kindness of his heart just gave me one of his carvings. To him it might not of seemed like a big deal, but to me and my wife it is truly one of our favorites (I even own a Kaisersatt!) . So I have been whittling up a carving I worked on just for him to show my appreciation for his friendship and the value it brings to me every day.

I have been to your website and have seen you're impressive work, so anytime you need a recipient of one of your fine carvings let me know, I know I would appreciate every one I recieved! Cool

...i know i'ma ramblin', but its just my 2 cents worth...

[MDWine]

Originally Posted by Anthony Filetti

...I do not remember most of the gifts I received for Xmas last year but I do remember how I came by every carving in my collection and how each one is special to me.

Yep, VERY true!... and a good point

[Kenny_S]

Well said Tony. I Cherish the Santas and ornaments I have from different carvers. Each one are special to me, have a story behind them and are displayed Year round.

[Just Carving]

A thought I had about having one appreciate your carving and the effort you put into it--give them some photos of before, during, and just before finishing. I think they'll better see how you take something from a block of wood or a roughout to a finished piece of work. And then you'll also have a "record" of what you did, too.

Bob L

[mdallensr]

I gave family and friends Santas quite a few years ago, then started doing other carved gifts. Everyone seemed to like the Santas but I wanted to do something else. I've been giving decorative spoons for the past seven years, and all of those on my gift list seem to like them and treat them as a collection. Mike

[jamesfa]

i try to give my family each a carving at Christmas for several years,not necessarily a santa,but something else.
but its different for each one, one daughter prefers to recieve a wood bowl that i've turned another likes little pieces of furniture i've built.I try to make my gift something one of them has mentioned they would like.
I am not a santa carver but i do make a least one a year which i gift to the same person and every year at this time they are all put on display for the holiday season.

I for one would much prefer to recieve something that has been hand made,
than a gift that was puschased.
so you can put me on your Christmas list

Frank

[jamesfa]

i try to give my family each a carving at Christmas for several years,not necessarily a santa,but something else.
but its different for each one, one daughter prefers to recieve a wood bowl that i've turned another likes little pieces of furniture i've built.I try to make my gift something one of them has mentioned they would like.
I am not a santa carver but i do make a least one a year which i gift to the same person and every year at this time they are all put on display for the holiday season.

I for one would much prefer to recieve something that has been hand made,
than a gift that was puschased.
so you can put me on your Christmas list

Frank
ps. the whole family does get a new tree ornament each year