By Mia Hanuska
“And…I’m done!” I smile excitedly as I wrap the last gift, tying the ribbon into a big bow on top. I carefully add a tag, and, placing it under the tree, breathe a sigh of relief. It’d been two months of intricately planning homemade gifts for each of my loved ones, then working late into the night to finish them all before the holidays began.
Each year, I make it a goal to make as many gifts myself as I can: not only are they more personal, but it’s also more rewarding seeing someone enjoy something I created just for them. However, it’s become harder and harder to source quality materials—and find the time—to keep up with gifts.
Many craft stores have struggled post-COVID after the pandemic decimated the craft and handmade industry. Popular retailer Joann Fabrics went bankrupt last May, closing its stores and leaving the artistic community scrambling for similarly-priced alternatives. Many small businesses felt Joann’s bankruptcy personally, as nearly no other chain craft store carries the selection of fabric Joann’s did. Plus, for many, Joann’s was their only local fabric store, as most fabric retailers tend to carry textiles meant for quilting—unideal for garments, bags, and stuffed animals. Now, consumers are left to mainly two options: Michael’s, where not all stores carry fabric yet, or Hobby Lobby, where stores carry a limited selection of fabrics but have quite questionable morals (opposing healthcare policies that cover contraceptives, purchasing over $3 million worth of stolen ancient Iraqi artifacts, and donating to anti-LGBTQ hate groups).
Online options aren’t particularly better, especially since it can be hard to tell specific colors, sizes, and textures without seeing and feeling items in person. Amazon’s selection of fabric by the yard is dismal, and sure, other online retailers like TEMU offer large selections—if consumers are willing to part with their morals. It’s nearly impossible to find ethical craft supplies that don’t break the bank, limiting the accessibility of DIY-ing to the general public.
Plus, many simply don’t have the time nowadays to work on homemade projects. 10.4% of US Americans work long (50+ per week) hours, leaving little time for leisurely activities. There’s also a suggested link between a lack of motivation to work on hobbies at home and exhaustion causing difficulties in detaching from work and 18.3% of US adults facing depression. With an average of only 5.07 hours of free (including socialization, sports, etc) time per day, the likelihood of not just being able to, but wanting to spend it on crafting depends solely on one’s passion for it. Thus, those simply interested in participating but uneducated in the area may find it difficult to immerse themselves in the community and start learning DIY skills as they do not have the time to invest in the hobby.
Why even make gifts by hand though? The “gift” plays an important role in relationships, connecting people through a shared item; gifts can represent and communicate unique elements of individuals’ lives. Handmade presents, then, create deeper connections they have “endured specific craftsmanship from the giver,” as researcher Carly Melcher puts it. Even after interviewing my peers, the general consensus was that there is significantly greater value in a gift someone put in the hours to craft specifically for the recipient. Senior Logan Mendelson agrees, adding that it “creates more of a tangible connection to someone [;] it feels like getting a hug from them each time you see something they directly played a role in the creation of.”
However, with the rising difficulties in making a gift by hand, the option of a customized gift, buying something made intricately by someone else arises. Many may turn to Etsy.com, a site well-known for providing small businesses a platform to sell their goods. Unfortunately, with the proliferation of AI and drop shipping, Etsy has lost much of its credibility, as it’s incredibly difficult to find authentically handmade gifts. Many sewing patterns are not only marketed with AI models, but are entirely created by an AI unfamiliar with real humans’ proportions. Etsy has even made a statement clarifying that they allow products created by an AI generator as long as the prompt was produced by the seller. Regardless of customers’ stances on AI, why would one pay for someone else to generate a design from AI instead of supporting a real artist?
With limited time and stores to source materials, and no options to fall back on if I run out of time, it’s become difficult for me to make all my gifts like I used to. I want to put hours into each gift, making it personalized and unique for each of the amazing people in my life, but sadly it’s not a very viable choice for me and many others. While my goal is still to make as many gifts as I can, putting the handmade “Mia touch” in each design, I know I will probably have to find alternatives—just in case. If you fall in the same boat, try to find local hobby shops for materials and look for small businesses’ websites where you can support them directly instead of relying on a 3rd party platform like Etsy. Happy holidays and happy gifting!