4 Reasons to Choose Handmade Gifts

When it comes to gift-giving, we are presented with an array of choices in today’s world. From brands known the world over to independent stores selling through Amazon to local businesses selling via a small-scale website, there really is something for every budget and interest.

But when it comes to gifts, there’s something about handing over a handcrafted good that just seems more wholesome than gifting a mass-produced item. Maybe it’s because handmade goods have been on a more interesting journey, or maybe it’s the physical effort that has gone into making them that makes the end product that bit more rewarding.

Whatever the reason, here are four reasons why you should consider handmade items when choosing a gift.

Better quality

Items that are made by machines are often done so for the cost implications rather than the quality implications. Machine-based manufacturing processes allow businesses to produce vast amounts of stock in a short space of time while also reducing their wage bill.

The fast fashion industry is a great example of an industry where products are mass-produced and offered at a cheap price but aren’t exactly built to last. On the other hand, handmade gifts often involve a complex human skill that has been learned and perfected over many years.

The end result of such processes is often quality and durability. Not only this, but there’s also a guarantee that each individual item has been inspected and approved by a human eye which obviously can’t be said for machine-made goods.    

As a consumer, remember the old saying “Buy cheap, buy twice” when it comes to purchasing handmade goods. While they may come with a higher price tag, there’s less chance of you finding yourself shopping for a replacement in a few months’ time.

Support independent/local businesses 

As already mentioned, when businesses need to produce a large quantity of items they often turn to machinery and mass production. But smaller, independent businesses often manage their order quantities by hand, which means buying handmade often supports local business owners.

While this will likely give you some form of satisfaction that buying from well-known brands won’t give you, there are also many more benefits. Local businesses are likely to offer a more personalised service, for example, small business owners often manage their brand’s emails and speak directly with customers.

You’re also supporting local economies rather than simply lining the pockets of wealthy entrepreneurs which can be a massive boost if buying from businesses in developing countries with fewer job opportunities.

You can also expect to find more original products from independent businesses whereas bigger companies are likely to offer similar products that are in line with the latest trends.   

Completely unique

Consistency is often spoken about as a selling point and in many cases it is. But when it comes to gifts, there’s a certain satisfaction in knowing your item is truly one of a kind. Often, differences from one handmade item to the next aren’t even noticeable, but it’s still mentally satisfying to know nobody else in the world owns an exact copy of your item.

Compare luxury Christmas ornaments from a multi-national homeware store to the handmade alternatives found in a small, independent homeware store. One set of products has to be made to the exact same standard and specifications while the other set will contain ever so slight differences that will make your item unique to your home.   

Stronger connection

There’s something about knowing your item was made by someone’s bare hands. Knowing your gift has been physically touched and shaped by a worker or owner lends itself to a deeper connection between the customer and the brand, something that’s lost when purchasing mass-produced items that have been produced in a huge factory.

As a result, you can expect to get more enjoyment and satisfaction out of the product itself. There’s also more chance of developing a strong, long-term bond with the brand which could lead you to feel more like a brand ambassador than a customer.

Obviously, this has many benefits for the business in terms of increased purchases and recommendations. But as a consumer, you may also feel good about purchasing and supporting your favourite brand as opposed to just having a transactional relationship with the company.