Some gifts have a job to do. They have to say "I know you," or "I'm thinking of you," or "we won't forget." A gift card can't do that, and neither can a box that shipped from a warehouse.
If you're shopping for one of those moments this season, here is what I make, who it works for, and when to order. Everything is made to order in my workshop in Rosamond, California.
For the long soak you keep promising yourself
A bath tray is the gift that gives someone permission to sit still for an hour. Mine are cut from Corian, the solid-surface material used for countertops. It is waterproof, it shrugs off hot water and candle wax, and it wipes clean with soap and water. There are no seams to trap soap scum and no wood to swell.
Tubs are not all the same width, so the trays come in six size ranges, from 24 inches up to 54 inches across (24–29, 30–34, 35–39, 40–44, 45–49 and 50–54). Measure the outside width of your tub rim and pick the range it falls in. If you're between sizes, send me a message and we'll work it out before anything is cut.
Good for: a new mom, a spouse who never takes time off, a mother who has spent years giving everyone else the good towels. Solid-wood laptop and recliner trays are the same idea for the person who works or eats from their favorite chair: a mug well, a phone slot and a stand for a tablet, all within reach.
For the name on the door
A carved sign is the gift that gets a photo taken. A child's clubhouse sign tells a seven-year-old the fort is officially theirs. A family name sign is the first thing many newlyweds hang in the first house. A directional sign at the campground tells every guest where the fire pit is. Scripture signs carry a favorite verse into the entryway or the kitchen.
I work in cedar, redwood, oak, walnut and cherry. Each one carves and looks a little different. Cedar and redwood suit outdoor spots and play areas, while walnut and cherry are the choice when it's going over the mantel. Tell me where it will hang and I'll suggest a wood.
For the one you miss
Losing a pet is its own kind of grief, and it deserves its own kind of marker. I make pet grave markers from Corian because it stays outdoors. It holds up in sun, rain and cold, which matters when the marker is going in the yard where your dog used to lie in the shade.
Each one is lettered with your pet's name and whatever else you want to say. It can be a short line, a nickname, or dates. If you're ordering for a friend who just lost their companion, this is a quiet way to say you saw how much it hurt.
For game night and the white-elephant swap
Anyone who has tried to hold a full hand of cards knows the problem. My oak playing-card holders solve it, and they look good enough to leave on the table. The hands-free holders come as a set, and the deck tray keeps up to six decks together in one 5 x 10 inch tray so they stop wandering off between game nights. Each one can be personalized with a name or phrase. They are a fun, practical gift for grandparents, game-night regulars, or the cousin who always wins the gift swap.
For the ornaments the kids made
Every family has the ornaments that mean the most, and they usually end up in a box. My wall-mount Christmas tree ornament holder hangs on the wall, takes no floor space, and lets those ornaments be seen. Each tree is built from reclaimed oak, cherry, walnut, mahogany, cedar, poplar and pine left over from other projects, topped with a white Corian star cut freehand, so no two are alike. It hangs from a keyhole slot on the back. It is a good gift for small apartments, for grandparents, and for new homes starting a tradition.
A word about who makes these
I'm Jennifer, an Army veteran. I started making signs in high school, and I've done it full time since 2015. Every piece is carved, sanded and finished by me, one at a time, in a detached shop behind my house in the Antelope Valley. When you message me with a question, you get me, not a call center.
When to order for Christmas
Made-to-order means each piece is made after you place the order, so it cannot be rushed the way a warehouse item can. For a gift to arrive in time for Christmas, order by early December, and sooner for anything with custom lettering or a custom size. If you're not sure, send a message and I'll tell you whether it's realistic.
Browse the shop at craftedcarvings.com, or message me with the person, the moment and the budget, and I'll suggest where to start.