As the years have crept by I’m more aware than ever before that there’s very little I actually need or want in the way of material things to live a valuable life. There’s only so much “stuff” one human being can keep or use. And I think we’ve been so bombarded by endless advertising and clever marketing over the years until we’ve really believed that we must have the latest gadgets, fashion items and so on to be a complete and fully-functioning part of the human race. I’ve never been a convert of this theory.

So it makes me very happy that the current trend is away from consumerism; instead thinking more about how we can re-use what we already have, and buying secondhand when we need to replace items. Or better still – making what we need.

I’ve always thought that the best gifts are handmade; created with love and care. I’m also a believer in buying and sharing “experiences” if I do have to purchase a gift for someone. Simple gifts like cinema gift cards, book vouchers or days out always go down well in our family.

So here we are in February and it’s birthday time again. Thank you to my wonderful, creative family for lovingly spending time making perfect gifts for me last weekend. I am truly blessed. I’m also chuffed to bits that the youngest generation in the family is carrying on with our tradition of making gifts instead of running off to the shops to try and find something suitable for Granna.

Handmade or bought gifts … which do you prefer?