The Essence of a Gift

While many bloggers are writing about the year-end and what is to come in 2012, I have been pondering something ever since Christmas Day. The question I have been pondering is, "what is the essence of a gift?" As an artist, we often desire to create something for our loved ones as a gift. Where I get hung up is in the fact that art work is something to be displayed. As a homemaker I know that many people are very particular about what they display on their walls and shelves. To make something for someone that is of the caliber of fine art, or highly skilled craftsmanship, takes a lot of time, energy, and sometimes materials on the part of the artist. For the gift receiver they will no doubt feel flattered and touched that you made something that obviously involved a lot of time and skill, but there may be another emotion that they are hiding. We all know the saying, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder". What if the gift receiver does not like the artwork you have given them? What if they are thinking, "Where am I going to put this?" Because you are a loved one, they will most likely feel obligated to hold onto the art you created. They may even display it just because you made it and they do not want to hurt your feelings. Do I sound paranoid? Am I over-thinking this? I personally know three individuals who have been given gifts from an artist, and they do not like it, but they feel obligated to display it.
    What brought this all about was that this Christmas, I decided I would make mosaic picture frames for some of my family members. Now, a picture frame is something small, and, in my opinion, more of a "craft" than fine art. But, I still wanted my family members to like their frame. I considered their individual homes, their personal style, and each of their personalities when I was choosing the look for the frame. However, when it came time for me to make the frame for my mom I was stumped. You see, my mom is also a fine artist. She has been an artist as long as I can remember. Her taste is more complicated because, as artists, we tend to have a different "eye" for things than non-artists. I wanted her frame to be more artistic. I did not want her frame to be "cliche" or kitschy. So, Christmas day, I was pretty self conscious when she was opening her gift I made her. Of course, she said she loved it when she saw it. Because she is my mom, I was honest with her after she opened the frame. I told her I had trouble choosing the design for the frame because I wanted her to like it. But she told me that the essence of a gift comes from the motivation behind it. This is what I have been pondering since Christmas Day.
     To make a gift for someone out of love for them should be enough to make the gift beautiful to the person, but I know this is not always the case. I think that to put the gift receiver in a position where they may have to fake liking something is very uncomfortable. I almost think it would be better to say to my loved ones, "I would like to make a gift for you. What would you like?" To treat the gift-giving almost like a commission might be a better approach. This is an issue I am not completely settled on, and, I imagine I will face it again in 2012.