James: Welcome, dear readers. In my never-ending effort to improve myself, I will now have my friend Corinne teach me the art of creating one-of-a-kind gifts.

Corinne: Who are you talking to?

James: Never mind that. Corinne, you’ve always impressed me with your thoughtful handmade cards and homemade gifts. What got you started?

Corinne: It’s a long family tradition. My Dad used to make all of his gifts, usually in his woodshop. Around Christmas time, he’d call it “Santa’s Workshop.”

James: My Dad had a Sears charge card.

Corinne: People love homemade gifts. When I tell them I made it, they say, “You actually made this?”

James: They’d sound a lot more suspicious if I told them that.

Corinne: To get ready for the holidays, you have to think about what you could make. I start around Thanksgiving.

James: Around Thanksgiving? But the stores are open through Christmas Eve.

Corinne: Gifts don’t need to be anything fancy. You can make cookies or jam, frame photographs you’ve taken . . .

James: . . . give gift certificates.

Corinne: It’s so important to put a little bit of myself into what I give. And it’s important to get away from the commercialism of Christmas.

James: Unless commercialism takes the form of a PlayStation 2. But isn’t it hard to make gifts for so many people?

Corinne: No, I just think “What can I make this year that would be good for everybody?” Last year, I got together with two friends and we made candles. Haven’t you ever gotten together with some of your friends and made things?

James: [stares blankly]

Corinne: Oh, I guess it’s a girl thing.

James: Is there beer involved?

Corinne: If I try to do it all myself, sometimes I get a little behind schedule. I’ve been known to give unfinished gifts to family members—especially things I’m sewing—then I’ll finish them later on Christmas Day.

James: Well, I do have a knack for half-finished projects.

Corinne: Often, I’ll make something I know someone wants. This year, I’m making a birdhouse for my mom and dad. I’ve been collecting birch branches all summer.

James: Collecting birch branches?

Corinne: I made one just like it for a fund-raising auction and they really liked it.

James: Collecting birch branches?

Corinne: You’re so lame. I didn’t know there really were folks like you. Why don’t you just go buy a gift certificate?

James: Now there’s a good idea!

James Bush is a staff writer at Seattle Weekly.