OOAK

In which Green Bean hopes for Meaningful Memories.

Photo from Giddy Girlie's Generic Geekery Etsy Shop

My five year old's shoulders shook. He turned around, but wouldn't meet my eyes. His lower lip - pushed out to nearly three times it normal size - quivered.

"What's wrong?" I asked. "You choose that. That's what you wanted."

"But, but, is it," he exhaled in a moment of perfectly honed angst, "handmade."

Inside, I laughed. Today, we were discussing party favors for my older son's birthday party. In lieu of cheap plastic or coupons to the local ice cream store, we opted for $4 items off of Etsy. This conversation, though, was certainly a sign of things to come this holiday season. This season, we'd leapfrog over Legos, by-pass Bakugans, and sidestep Sillybandz. This year, it would be all about OOAK.

What's that, you say? OOAK? One Of A Kind, baby! And that is what my kids are craving.

Sure, in an ideal world, they'd only want to spend time baking cookies and hiking in the woods with me. We do our fair share of that, but come Christmas morning, my kids actually want to unwrap something they can hold in their hands.

It may not be as virtuous as going without material gifts or doing it all on your own but if you think your only alternative is Big Box, think again. There is an OOAK out there for everyone, in every shape, size and price range. Because handmade is worth it! And so are we.

To support a local artisan this season, check out Etsy, Big Cartel, Renegade Craft Fair, craft fairs at your school, in your town, or look for your local craft show here. Then celebrate uniqueness.