Impulse Buys: It’s Gotta Be Personal To Be Meaningful

We’re just weeks away from the conclusion of the holiday shopping season. Sure, it’s nice to indulge ourselves and our loved ones with wonderful and fabulous items this time of year, but let’s not stray from the heart of the holiday spirit. My husband has been a manager in retail for over 10 years. Something he sees all too often is how some of his customers are driven to buy lots of expensive gifts for their children while making condescending, bothersome, and sometimes denigrating, remarks about them. Maybe it’s stress, or maybe a need to “buy” their love. If that’s the case, then bribery for affection is no means to an end. Gifts become things and things lose their value quickly.

As you wrap up your holiday shopping, don’t forget that buying a gift is just that – a gift. Gifts have meaning for the recipient and are meant to be thoughtful tokens of appreciation. They say “I love you, I get you, so I know you’ll love this no matter what”. We all have received a gift that wasn’t the most expensive or indulgent item, but we loved it because it was just for us. One of the reasons I bring item spotlights like the ones in this series is not only to inspire other artisans, but bring attention to a creation hoping that you know just the right person who will love it.

The Courtney Blouse

I first encountered Regina of IslaNewYork in the Etsy Virtual Labs. One look in her shop and my first thought was “She’s well on her way to establishing her own label”. And why wouldn’t I think that? Her apparel is cute, fun and heck, it looks comfortable! You could wear it for a night on the town, for everyday casual, or just for kicking back with a good book on couch – you never know who will stop by, right? Plus, she uses eco-friendly material at every opportunity. And, for the win, she also offers larger sizes for a nominal fee. Thank you, Regina, for thinking of us curvier girls.

Pear Green Dew Drops ACEO



Another Etsian I encountered in the Virtual Labs is Rita from Squier. Rita does something very well that I have never been able to master, and that is masterfully create wonderful watercolor artwork. The very first time I even glanced at her Dew Drops series, I swore it was a photograph. Convincing? Oh yeah. She has a cornucopia of fine art, affordable art, and offers her graphic design skills for those who may need them. If you’re wanting to give someone something a little more personal, Rita does commissioned work, too.

Christmas Holiday Sleigh



When I visited Shelly’s shop at BloomingCouture, one of the first things I thought of when I saw this sleigh arrangement was my mom. Ever the Christmas enthusiast, and one who often entertains at the holidays, I could picture this Holiday Sleigh right in the middle of her dining room table. It’s different, festive, and classically Christmas. Imagine taking two of these and placing them on opposite ends of a mantle or bookshelf. I bet any Christmas enthusiast would appreciate that!

Spiral Ribbon Necklace



I’ve had the great fortune of meeting Deb of BeadsandBlooms on the craft show circuit, then later again on the Kansas Etsy Team. A master of two crafts, Deb has a necklace in her shop that I love. A., it’s red and B., it’s got spirals. It’s a great gift idea for the necklace-loving Christmas enthusiast. The festive ribbon of red beads is woven in and around sparkling silver beads. Definitely a piece for special occasions, and one to be worn with a simple silhouette as the red pendant beckons for attention.

That concludes this week’s Impulse Buys feature. Just keep in mind what the gifts you give your loved ones will mean for them for years to come. You never know if that gift will become a keepsake for future generations.