| Here it is again..the bittersweet holiday season. | | | | Here are some reasons that pottery always |
| So....the age old question remains, dare I say, | | | | seems to work, if not delight these almost |
| pokes its nagging head into our thoughts: oh no! | | | | sort-of loved ones, no matter how hard you think |
| What do I get for him/her???? They are not your | | | | they are to buy for: |
| friends and loved ones. Indirectly and unabashedly, | | | | - Pottery is handmade and boasts a creative and |
| they are the peripheral set of miscellaneous | | | | artistic expression. People always think this is |
| people in your life, that have in most cases, been | | | | thoughtful even if you yourself did not create it. |
| acquired without choice or thought. They have | | | | - Pottery comes in a variety of forms, from |
| been fated into your life by a husband, a shared | | | | decorative vases, clocks, ornaments, etc to |
| office, or a friend's friend. They are your in-laws, | | | | functional dinnerware and planters. |
| your co-workers, and others that you just know | | | | - Certain potteries specialize in stoneware |
| will get you a present. No matter how these | | | | cookware and dinnerware pieces that are |
| miscellaneous and peripheral people have situated | | | | microwave, oven, and dishwasher safe. |
| themselves into your life, whether on a daily or | | | | - Stoneware pottery has been said to be better |
| once-a-a-year basis; they are there and expecting | | | | for you to cook/bake/store in, than plastic, metal, |
| a present, a token, a sentiment in return for | | | | or glass; as it is an all-natural material: clay. |
| whatever they are panicking to give to you this | | | | - Ceramic pottery can be personalized to add that |
| upcoming holiday season. Whether it's fair or not, | | | | special touch; whether you add their name, a brief |
| the fact remains, that you have to get them | | | | ode, or a decoration that they would like. (For |
| something. | | | | example, my mother-in-law likes dragonflies...) |
| So after many years of anguish and holiday panic | | | | - Pottery comes in so many pieces and forms, |
| over just what to buy for these "other" people | | | | that if receiver either really enjoys the piece or |
| that sneak up upon my Christmas/holiday list, I | | | | just are very good at pretending they do; every |
| have decided upon the perfect gift, to both lower | | | | year you can buy a new and different piece to |
| my annual blood pressure as well as keep all | | | | build their collection. |
| mutual webbed relationships at peace. And that is: | | | | - Pottery can seem very expensive, but can price |
| ceramics, pottery, stoneware. Now, you may be | | | | reasonable. Handmade anything seems expensive, |
| thinking that giving these same people pottery | | | | but ceramic pottery would surprise you. I've |
| every year, that you will become THAT person, | | | | found a number of shops that boast beautiful |
| talked about at water coolers and family | | | | handmade, hand glazed, and hand decorated |
| newsletters; however, consider this... If the | | | | pieces of pottery that should be a fortune, but to |
| miscellaneous giftee of your piece of handmade | | | | my chagrin are between $10-$60 per piece. |
| pottery, finds the low-to-moderately-priced | | | | - Pottery pieces are one of a kind, so the |
| sentiment a welcome surprise, a thoughtful | | | | chances of the person you are buying for either |
| household addition, then not only will you score | | | | already having this piece or being given this piece |
| that year's holiday, but for years to come. People | | | | is extremely rare...let's face it, for most potteries, |
| have a way of remembering both particularly | | | | there will be able hands making the gift and not |
| good and bad presents, and scarcely in between. | | | | well-oiled machines bent on overproduction. |