In the run-up to Christmas, I hear one question more than any other, though it's asked in different ways: “What if I get it wrong?” You want to give something personal and handmade rather than yet another random gadget – but you don't know which colour your mum likes, what hat size your niece wears, or what your friend's style is.
I make bags, shawls and hats, so I often help people choose a gift. In this post, I've gathered the advice I usually give: where to start, what's the safest choice when you don't know much, and when to order so it arrives in time. If you're looking for something ready-made, head straight to the Gift Sets category – the pieces there are designed as gifts.
Start with what you don't know
Before you choose a particular item, ask yourself three questions:
- Do I know her size? If not, choose something that doesn't come in sizes.
- Do I know what colours she wears? If not, go for calm colours that suit most wardrobes.
- Do I know her style? If so, you can be bolder – for example, a bag in a striking colour.
The less you know, the more versatile the item should be. The better you know the person, the bolder your choice can be.
A shawl – when you don't know the size
A shawl is a gift where you don't have to guess the size. It fits any shoulders and any figure, and everyone can wear it in their own way.
The Sand shawl is a classic striped triangle – from dark brown through caramel and sandy beige to creamy white. I took the palette from the earth after rain: dark chocolate, caramel, sand, linen, cream. These colours go with almost everything already in a wardrobe, so it's a good choice when you don't know what someone wears.
It can be draped over the shoulders like a wrap, or folded lengthways and tied at the neck. On in-between days it's enough on its own, and in winter it fits under a coat without a bulky-collar effect. The stitch is soft and lightly openwork – warm, but never stifling.
Who it's for: your mum, grandma or mother-in-law, or a friend who's always cold at the office. Anyone you don't know much about but want to give something warm.
A bag – when you know her style
A bag is a more personal gift. If you know how someone dresses, you can get it just right – and then it's worn every day rather than put away in a cupboard.
- Raspberry bag – for someone who loves colour. Deep raspberry is bold but not loud. It looks great with beige, black and denim.
- Bottle Green bag – for someone who prefers calmer colours but doesn't want boring. The green shifts with the light, and the gold clasp warms it up.
- Ecru tote – for someone practical. Large and roomy, for shopping and whole days out. Ecru goes with everything.
Both smaller bags have a long strap – they can be worn over the shoulder or cross-body – and hold a phone, a wallet and keys. If the recipient wonders whether a cord bag is practical, send her my post on whether cord bags stretch and how to care for them.
A gift for a child
The crown hat – for a first birthday, a birthday party or a photo shoot
The crown hat is a gift that usually raises a smile before it's even fully unwrapped. It's knitted, with a stretchy ribbed band at the bottom and five points along the top edge. The ribbing sits around the head without pressing, and the crown keeps its shape.
It comes in two colours: creamy ecru and powder pink. Both are made from the same soft yarn, which doesn't itch and stands up to washing. Just enter your colour in the order notes – and if you forget, I'll message you before shipping.
I'll be honest from the start: this hat is more for photos and milder days than for frosty weather. It's perfect for newborn and birthday shoots, first birthdays, and any day parents want to remember.
A ready-made set – when you don't want to mix and match
The Hat & Warmers set was designed as a gift from the very beginning. The hat and warmers are made from a single skein, so the colours blend in the same way in both pieces. The yarn is variegated – pink, yellow, blue, green and violet form irregular stripes that can never be repeated. The hat has a thick ribbed band and a fluffy mint pompom, and the warmers can be worn on the wrists or the ankles.
There's nothing to match up – the whole set is coordinated and ready to wrap.
Gifts by budget
- Up to 70 PLN: Crown Hat – 69 PLN
- Up to 150 PLN: Hand-Knitted Shawl – Sand – 139 PLN, Set: Hat & Warmers – 149 PLN
- Up to 220 PLN: Raspberry and Bottle Green bags – 159 PLN each, Ecru Tote – 219 PLN
Shipping is free on orders from 250 PLN – a good opportunity to buy gifts for two people at once, such as a shawl for your mum and a crown hat for the youngest in the family.
When to order so it arrives before Christmas
This matters, because my pieces aren't sitting in a warehouse by the hundred. I make each one as a one-off or in just two pieces, and once it finds its owner, it disappears from the shop. If you like something, don't leave the decision until the last week before Christmas Eve.
If you'd like a product from the shop in a different colour – a bag, for example – we'll need a little more time, as I first need to check that the materials are available and the piece can be made. Write to me as early as possible. I usually reply within two working days.
I ship via InPost parcel locker (14 PLN) or courier (19 PLN). If you're near Bolesławiec, you can collect your order in person free of charge.
And if you do get it wrong?
It happens. There are 14 days to return an item without giving a reason, so a gift isn't a risk forever. Most of the time, though, a short message before buying is all it takes – if you're torn between two items, write to me, tell me about the person, and I'll help you choose.
Finally
A handmade piece doesn't have to match someone's taste perfectly to be loved. People usually appreciate that someone chose something specific for them rather than the first thing off the shelf. A shawl someone puts on every autumn, or the hat from the birthday photos – those are the gifts people remember.
See what's available right now in the shop. And if you're looking for a particular colour or can't make up your mind, write to me.