Well, I have to confess too! I took the pledge and bought all handmade gifts except a couple of little things. But, I think that the challenge inspired a lot of people including myself to be more aware and conscious about what we buy and where it comes from. I think that even if we cheated a little, we still did pretty dang good, and look how many people benefited!!!

I took the Handmade Pledge as well. I couldn't commit to it fully, but ended up doing one handmade gift for every person, in addition to their store-bought gifts. But! I'm absolutely in love with the idea, and next year I will plan a lot sooner in advance so I can give out only handmade gifts. I plan on starting in July :)

i took the handmade pledge; i even reported it on my blog that i'd be giving nothing but handmade gifts this year that i purchased locally, on etsy, or handcrafted myself. like you, i was doing reeeeeeeally well... until i came up absolutely empty handed and completely idea-free for my best friend's husband. i ended up spending beaucoup cash on a really nifty, really nice stainless steel stockpot for him - it was something he wanted and needed. so i caved... but that was the ONE gift that i didn't either make myself or buy from another artisan. after reading your article, i am no longer consumed with tremendous guilt; i think i actually did pretty well!

I broke it too. Sort of. I found like 30 used books in super condition at the Goodwill for my kids for .99 each. And they are fabulous books. The rest of our presents we found at the three awesome craft shows we went to. Rebel Rabbit, Crafty Wonderland, and the PDX Winter Solstice sale. Mostly Etsy sellers. It was so fun meeting everyone! And finding amazing handmade gifts!

I took it and I can only confess that I made it to the end. I'm so proud, I am!

I also made it to the end, though I didn't buy every gift. I made a bunch of them myself, which I think counts. :)

Husbands -- they want things like *books* and *alcohol*! What's a girl to do? (Yes, I know, I need to accept responsibility for my own actions. Sigh.)

;) i bought handmade except for my boyfriend--he wanted the PS3 and there wasn't much i could do to get around buying it since i've been promising him since LAST christmas i would get it for him this year . . . i did try and find a t-shirt for him on etsy, but was disappointed in the selection for someone who prefers XXL sized shirts!

Yeah, I had to cave in a bit too. I got some wine for some wine lovers, and some books for my niece/nephew. And I tried. seriously. to find ballet slippers for my niece here. The only thing that she *really* wanted. But, alas, I couldn't find exactly what I wanted. But, Dr. Perfect (our giant octopus) had a wonderful handmade holiday. Pictures on my blog and flickr: http://sweetestpeadesigns.blogspot.com http://flickr.com/photos/sweetestpea

I made it! I bought ONLY handmade for everyone & I am ecstatic that I was able to do it. I found locally handmade jewelry for my granny, and bought everything else from etsy and the oddities bazaar. I <3 etsy!

I bought an MP3 player for my neice (but not the dreaded iPod, a different one) and my husband insisted we buy a dart board for my sister's boyfriend. I bought some books as well, but some of those I bought back in the summer so they don't count right? ;) Everything else was handmade, or supplies to nurture making things (pottery tools for my husband, a new potter! and knitting supplies for my niece). I'm still very proud of myself and everyone loved their handmade gifts!!

Some much needed tech gear and a few mass-produced books were passed out to the family along with handmade artwork, photos, and many lovely Etsy scores. I don't feel like I "cheated" at all. Buying -anything- handmade is a vast improvement for many of us. No reason to feel any regret or remorse as long as our friends and families went home happy! Thank you to all of the buyers and sellers with whom I transacted this holiday season. What a success all around.

My Mom and Dad wanted a gift card from Circuit City, but I bought a cute little pillow doll from Vintage Sister to stick it in!

When the bottom of my boyfriend's high top fell out and he looked at me with big eyes while asking for a new pair... Well, I knew that I was a goner. And then I found a really good deal on a pair my mother had wanted for a really, really long time. Since she hasn't taken them off other than to bathe and sleep since she got them, I've purged my guilt.

It's easier for me around here, I moved to NY a year and a half ago from Israel and my husband's family's Jewish, so the whole gift thing gets a very little attention. I only had to get\make 4 things... My father in law is always the hardest - the guys usually are and how many time can I get him a "T-shirt for the gym" eventually I burn him a copy of a CD and did the cover art on my own. He was more excited about the cover then the content of the CD...

I confess! My kids got a couple toys that were perfect for them and I couldn't find handmade. As an added benefit of the handmade pledge: I got cash from people who felt intimidated by buying me a handmade gift. More handmade purchases coming from me!

i only gave two handmade gifts this christmas. the rest were bought mass produced items. i think i will make more of an effort to handmake items and/or buy handmade as gifts next year.

i didn't take the pledge, because i knew i couldn't do it all the way. i had to buy a few books (bought form our local independent bookseller). however i did give almost everyone something handmade! i used to make all of my gifts myself, but with all of the craft shows i did, i didn't have the time this year, but i had many great shopping and trading opportunities.

ahhh the dreaded pledge! I did alright... :) I confess that I did have to purchase some gifts for my fiance that were not handmade. If you are still looking for an iPod case, http://ipodcrafts.etsy.com has a great shop! I have seen her stuff in person and it's lovely! :)

i didn't buy all handmade, but i did buy at least one handmade thing for everybody on my list and i can happily say they were all blown away with the handmade ones. everyone was asking me where i found such unique, beautiful gifts, so i told them about etsy, and bragged about being able to do most of my shopping at midnight in my pj's, so it looks like next year they'll all be doing lots of their shopping here too :D

Everything was handmade EXCEPT for the Little People playsets for the grandsons. But they got plenty of handmade, too!!!!!

I cheated... I bought my father an antique copy from the 1800's of Cervantes 'Don Quixote' with illustrations by Dore. It was too awesome to pass up. Don't hate me!

I cheated too... I went in with my sister and bought my dad & stepmom a pananni grill! I also bought some books and chocolate, but I bought and made many many gifts and it feels great! i love that most of my money went to artists and craftsmen!!

I had to cheat since there are some people on my list that don't like getting handmade items. I rather get handmade than mass produced items. It shows love and that one person took time from something else they could be doing. My nieces also are very hard to buy for since they are in that stage where they want everything from tv. However, my youngest niece has shown an interest in crafting so I bought her stuff where she can make handmade things and I am teaching her. So even thought I cheated I am teaching someone an craft and that is the biggest gift of all at least to me

I nearly made it. Next year I will start searching sooner and plan a head better in general. Otherwise I am pretty proud of myself :) And all of you for trying so hard! Go Hand Made :)

Oh my. I confess. I did really really well for everyone until I decided my b/f needed to have a fancy new digital camera so he could really pursue his love of photography. However, I do consider this a "semi-cheat", since we do plan on opening up an Etsy shop to showcase his work once he's ready! :D I wonder...do the means justify the end?

I did very well except for three: my dad wanted a boat magazine subscription, my brother was gifted my old laptop, and I got book tokens for my housemate. But the latter will use them to support a small specialist bookstore so hopefully that has a bit of merit to it. :) Everyone else got Etsy stuff! Oh, and I'm getting myself an iPod shuffle with a gift certificate. There, I've admitted it.

Handmade all the way! Received mostly handmade too! Is the pledge over now? Because the post-Christmas sales are on today and I'm going into town :P

My son... got him a Leapster, which is definitely not hand made. But it was the best investment I've made - in the past two days he's started to spell. I got my man a gun...but it's an antique...is that cool? Other than that I did good :)

Oh, and I got my dad a flickr pro account. But in a way, that's a means to a handmade end, in that he takes really great photos and should open an Etsy shop!

confession... but i don't feel so guilty... i did buy some non handmade gifts... but they were gifts of supplies to help others to create things handmade themselves... the challenge was really helpful on keeping my focus on all things handmade - supporting the arts and supporting the artist... buying art and craft supplies and books or music that encourage things handmade ...along side other handmade items made me feel not so much like a sell out ;)

quite honestly...not in a rude way in the least-but, no one should feel guilty about not buying 100% handmade who took the pledge-it's the spirit of the thing, not the law. and if someone's day is made by something NOT handmade...there isn't anything wrong w/ that :)

**I meant to say the spirit of the law, not the letter, dang headache!!!!!!!

Beating yourselves (and each other) up over the source of a gift is one of the things that will make Etsyians as much of a bunch of joyless drones as --we're supposed to believe-- everyone else is...

I wrote this article in tongue-in-cheek, over-the-top kinda way. It's in the Etc section, so it's supposed to be funny! Hahahah! Maybe that didn't come through!

Vanessa, I totally got the humor! I laughing enough to comment. :D I didn't take the challenge for that exact reason, I knew I'd be forced to cheat. I have an 11 year old boy and while I did get him a few things handmade, uh--nobody is making games for his Nintendo DS on etsy. :D I'd like to think I took the "Semi-Handmade" challenge and succeeded! :D

la la la... ignoring my typos.

Vanessa, don't worry! At least I liked the article, and yes, the humour came through. And I have to confess too, I finally cheated a bit - I bought a flash light my boyfriend needs. But I also made lots of gifts (as I do every year). I think the handmade pledge is a good thing, even though people wouln't buy 100 % handmade. It makes you try, at least!

Yep, I didn't take the challenge because I knew that I just couldn't quite do it. For one thing, I had already bought a nifty camera for my sis (but that's still kinda a craft supply, so hey), and my lil bro wanted nothing but money/360 points and such, and then I forgot a couple of gifts and ended up buying giftcards. *sigh* But I did do very good in that all but a couple of folks didn't get at least some if not all handmade gifts.

Love, love the Radiohead are you included.

Yeah! Matty8080 is such an amazing artist and god guy. I feel a lil bad because I chopped his Radiohead piece a bit. Here's the original: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8539489

ha! I mean good guy. though I guess yeah. He is like an Etsy god, sorta. hahaha!

I didn't BUY handmade, but I handmade my gifts instead... i had promised a friend to give her a daily planner for 2008, so I bought a moleskin one AND decorated it... that is the handmade part... I bought a hat for another friend, and added a bottlecap brooch i made... another friend got bathtime crayons (he's like a little boy, so i bought him a toy...) and some mix cds... I bought two storybooks for my two little nieces... Yeah... I cheated, but I did it with style!!!

Actually, I did pretty well. Everyone got at least one thing that was hand made, either purchased or made by me. It was rough too I tell you. I stayed up almost all night finishing one gift on Christmas eve. Santa was knocking on the window saying: GO TO BED ALREADY!!!

We did some of each but everyone got handmade by Etsians cards! Some soap and necklaces and a couple on non Etsy but still handmade stuff was presented too. But yeah, Target did get some $ : ( -less than in the past though! Happy New Year! ps agree about Matty, he is SO kind/happy (even when you just buy a couple of bookmarks on your disclosed buying account : )

My husband is easy to shop for because all he ever really wants are dvds cds and Legos. Not many handmade choices there. And our budget was limited this year...so I comprimised. I bought a big Lego set for him, and go a hand-drawn space-man drawing to frame. He loved them both! Here's a ipod case that's cute and sleek! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8617118

sorry...I meant this one... http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8612145

Oh my...I knew I wouldn't be able to buy 100% handmade, no matter how hard I tried. It just won't work for hubby. But I would say that at least 80% of the gifts I gave were handcrafted, almost all of which were purchased on Etsy. And everything was a big hit! I bought my brother a wireless keyboard and mouse. I got hubby a gaming chair. And my little cousin got some crayola craft stuff - which leads to handcrafting. Plus the other part of her gift was bought here. =)

I loved your article:) I just found Etsy and tried to buy here, but I was a little late. I did pretty good though. I made two things and bought several pieces of handmade jewelry from local people in my area.My daughers made some things too. It's impossible to make a Wii game so alas no pledge for me. lol

Ohh yeah! I admit, I did it... Once! In fact, shame on me, I did it for my own gift! :( I convinced myself that the Ikea table I need as a workspace can count in the Pledge because I need it desperately to do all my handmade stuff! And most funny of all, my boyfriend convinced me that it is handmade because I have to assemble it myself! Hahahaaaa!! lol Other than that, everything was handmade. Even the cat's treats! hehe -- As for the iPod cases, I adore those from jojo4cats. So cute with handle and a flap, and with wonderful fabrics! If I had an iPod, I would buy one of her cases :)

Ohh NOT true... Another gift was not handmade... It was some vintage earrings supplies for a friend here on Etsy, so she will make new earrings with them. So, leads to handmade, but it's not handmade. Plus, it's vintage so it's reusing instead of buying new, so I don't feel really bad about that one :)

Yes, Vanessa, Matty8080 is an Etsy god. I was hoping he'd have my babies, but realized that the logistics wouldn't work... he's in Milwaukie and I'm in Seattle. Shoot.

I confess I did buy a couple gifts for my husband that were not handmade... but I did buy them from my local independent retailers!

I bought my boyfriend a gift pack of beers from mirco-breweries across the USA, but other wise it was strictly a hand made holiday!

Oh Vanessa! Just kidding! I admit that I didn't take the pledge. I knew I couldn't stick to it. Each of my little ones had very specific requests from the "Big Guy". So ended up buying made in China-Mass produced Squawkers McCaw and Matchbox Mega Rig Shark Adventure. I know bad bad! To make up for it, they each received supplies to make there own art/craft projects. oh, my Hubby made me a wonderful game using reclaimed wood. Such a sweetie! ~~~BTW I like the orange case~~~

I didn't finish the robe for my husband and ended up buying him video games.

I asked for a gift that is most definitely not handmade, but I don't think I'd be able to find a digital SLR on Etsy... of course, the digital SLR will help contribute to my handmade business, so I think it should count. ;)

I did pretty well, but there were some non-handmade gifts in the mix. My FIL and hubby got new clothes because they needed clothes. Dad got mass-produced but vintage items. And the resident toddler got a mix of handmade and mass-produced items. But I'd say at least 75% of the gifts I gave were handmade. AND I even received two beautiful pieces of handmade jewelry from two different Etsians.

I did well.... with the exception of my hubby's gifts, he wanted (and I got for him) video games. Everyone else got handmade (by me and a few purchased through Etsy and locally) and they really enjoyed them. Most of the gifts I received were handmade so that was a nice bonus :)

i broke it too.... But i did manage to make a jewelry box from a cigar box... my little sister loved it...

Oh No I did not know we were to go cold turkey! LOL I have 12 yr old triplets so yes there was non handmade items to be bought. But I bought my self a buncha handmade goodies to make up for it :)

I think an I-pod is OK and besides that is why Etsy artists make Ipod carriers you are still a pledge honorer to me. I wish I could buy more art on Etsy.

I asked for an iPod not out of a desire to be "unique" but out of convenience... I did, however, get this ring from my aunt: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8407145

My confession... REI. The husband and I are outdoorsy and well, I don't know if any handmade topographical atlases or Camelbak cleaning kits - haha. So yes his gifts were from REI and my brother got a vintage button of a tee shirt design we had when we were little. Other than that all handmade.

it looks like husbands are the biggest obstacle to buying all handmade... hmmm.

I managed to get almost everything handmade, with the exception of some candy I bought my dad before I took the pledge. Yay! I don't think anybody even tried to buy handmade for me though...it's just kind of a foreign concept to my family. I think I raised their awareness a little bit though! :)

I did ok...But I did buy a few books. I like books and I think they are ok..Also got some music for children. Otherwise I made all other gifts myself.

I rocked about 90%. My co-workers...it was not possible, gift certificates to Starbucks and wine. My mother ONLY wanted goods for a homeless shelters, shampoos and such (CVS). So other than those three, everyone got 100% handmade!

I did really well, I only had to buy one thing (for grandma who really wanted a cheesy plaque from a local boutique). The only thing I am disappointed in is that I really asked anyone who would listen for handmade items but I got zero. Anyone want to trade for a fuzzy pink robe that sheds like crazy? :P

Everyone I gave gifts to received at least one etsy item! I think they wanted to pound me after I'd said 'I got that one etsy' 8 times. I made some gifts, and I bought handmade chocolates. The only non handmade things were a neck pillow for my ma, and 2 bottles of grappa, and a cookbook.

I gave gifts to 36 people this year. 34 of them were handmade, mostly handmade by me but supplemented with some Etsy purchases. 2 of the gifts I gave were storebought and mass produced, for my niece and nephew. I don't consider it a failure. They got what they wanted. I'd rather make them happy than force my values on them. I don't think we should feel guilty for buying a few non-handmade things if we made the recipients happy. Isn't that the *real* point of giving?

OK. About this buy handmade pledge: I was quoted in a small artical about the pledge and Etsy. I scanned it and and put it on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jdstar/sets/72157603747927004/ I did not take the pledge. I wasn't ready. My family wasn't ready. But here I am...My first real press. And I feel like a sham. To be fair the person that contacted me asked if I took the pledge. I told her no. ~JDStar