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