Have you had enough of Black Friday? What about Cyber Monday? Or Giving Tuesday? Is there a day of the week that has yet to be appropriated by the gods of commerce?

Well, here’s a thought. How about DIY Wednesday? Or better yet, Artisans Everyday? No matter how you slice it, and whether or not you’d like to attach a day of the week to it, it’s the season for giving and getting gifts.

The trick to staying one step ahead of mindless last minute shopping is to put a little forethought into it. People come in all shapes and sizes, so there’s no one size fits all when it comes to presents. And as much as some folks eschew the idea of receiving gifts at all, no one can deny that it feels good to be remembered.

The considerations to keep in mind are many. Will you be giving it to them in person or will it be sent in the post? Are they the type of person that collects one thing or another for their permanent home or are they the itinerant type who travels light and flits from place to place?

And most importantly, what sort of impression do you wish to make with your gift? I suppose the customs around the holidays have evolved over the years. I remember my mom keeping a huge list of addresses that had to receive Christmas cards in the mail, whereas today, you are lucky to be remembered in someone’s mass BCC email.

This topic is top of mind because we are smack dab in the center of craft fair season. The Craneway in Richmond held theirs this past weekend, last week it was The French Artisan Market in Berkeley, and next weekend we’ve got The Gifty Open House at The Crucible in Oakland.

All of these events, and probably some near you, have one thing in common. The idea is to direct your dollars directly to the artisans and craft people who are toiling away on handmade items rather than blowing your bucks at the big box stores on mass-produced junk.

For some of these folks, the fairs are a lifeline, the only place you can find their wares. Others, like my dear Isabelle with her Puzzlapy line of handcut wooden jigsaw puzzles, make their work available online as well.

When it comes to gifts and the holiday season, you have to trust your intuition. Some folks are best served by a new pair of socks, but others will really appreciate the connection and story behind a handmade gift from a traditional artisan. Plus you’re doing your part to keep the nearly-lost-arts alive!

With love and generosity until next week!

M+

Mark Metz
Director of the Dance First Association
Publisher of Conscious Dancer Magazine