Page 10 - North Haven Magazine Issue 36 Holiday 2024

Create Special Memories with

Homemade

Holiday Gifts

by Sally Brockett
hen we think back to our childhood holiday gifts, there are probably some that stand out in your mind as being very
Wspecial. It may have been something you wished for a long time to receive, or it may have been a complete surprise,
but you loved it. Often some of our favorite gifts are those that were homemade, with love, by a parent, special relative or
friend. Let’s think back and see what gifts we recall that were among our favorites. And perhaps this may inspire you to create
something homemade for someone you love.

Sock Monkey Dolls were used by other manufacturers, but
My grandmother made a sock monkey Nelson Knitting Mills holds the patent
doll for my sister and me, and I easily for the original. If you have fond memo-
remember that as a favorite gift. One ries of your sock monkey doll, just look
of the great features of these dolls on the Internet to find the pattern and
were the long arms, legs and tail. This you can create a memory for someone
made them very posable! They could else!
be arranged in many different positions Fascinating designs make these pencil holders special.
which kept things interesting. Photo by Sally Brockett
crafter, went to work in his shop and
created gifts for all our children, grand-
children and close relatives. Nearly any-
one can use a pencil holder and when it
is uniquely designed, it is a decorative
work of art that could become an heir-
loom.

Simple to make, but pretty on a desk.
Pinterest.com
Pencil Holders
It is good to have pencils and pens read-
ily available, but the counter, desk or ta-
ble can become cluttered unless these
things are corralled in some fashion. I Create a family project making homemade candles.
Pixabay.com
Today, there are many variations from the origi-
nal iconic doll. Pinterest.com recall opening a package one year that
contained a beautiful, unique, wooden
Sock monkey molls first appeared in pencil holder. The design was fascinat- Candles
1932 when they were produced by Nel- ing to look at and the function was quite Candles create a feeling of coziness,
son Knitting Mills in Rockford, Illinois. practical. Now our pens and pencils are warmth and festive light. Making beau-
The company was making red-heeled contained and the container is so deco- tiful candles at home can be inexpen-
socks known as Rockford Red Heel and rative and special. sive and a fun project for the family. One
the monkey molls evolved from these of the benefits of homemade candles is
socks. In 1950, when they decided to If you or someone you know is skilled the opportunity to customize the col-
include the instructions for these dolls with a lathe, these pencil holders can or, scent and look. It also enables you
with each pair of socks, the crafting of be made in an endless variety of styles. to select healthy wicks and wax for the
monkey dolls went into full swing! Soon after my pencil holder Christmas, candles.
we decided to give family members pen-
In later years, different types of socks cil holders. Walt, my husband-wood- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Com-

10 North Haven Magazine - Holiday Issue 2024