This has been floating around Facebook in various forms with slight variations for a couple of months now:

“When you buy something handmade from a work at home business or local market stall you are helping a Mum or Dad put food on the table, petrol in the car, buy school uniforms, pay towards dancing, football, swimming lessons or simply helping them continue doing what they love: making gorgeous things! You are not helping a CEO buy a holiday home, a flash car or a yacht. Our customers are our shareholders and they are the ones we strive to make happy…”

I like it because it speaks so true. But of course there are many other reasons why you should buy handmade.

In no particular order here are 10 reasons:

1. Clothing and toys aren’t mass produced so the style, fabric and overall look is different to what you would buy from your local Department store.

2. You are supporting families and stay at home Mums and Dads do what they can to be able to stay at home and look after their kids.

3. Value for money and quality. All the handmade items I have ever purchased or been given by my clever friends and sister-in-law have lasted through my two boys and are now heading towards my nephew.

4. As Christie from Signing Bubs & Tots said “you usually get to meet the person who has made the product, and get to talk to them about how they came about doing what they do and why they love it so much.”

5. Custom made. At the first market I saw a skirt I liked by Bello Born Designs but I wanted it in purple. Voila! One week later my wish came true!

6. Money stays local.

7. Better for Environment. It’s simple. Check the tag. Made in China? How many miles has that item of clothing travelled to be in your house? Also a lot of handmade items are “up cycled” meaning old items of clothing are reused and re-sewn to be given a new lease on life.

8. Better for our Kids. Handmade means no factories, no chemicals; no nasty pollutants are going to be in the clothing or toys destined for our kids.

9. Handmade is always admired! I’ve lost count how many compliments I have received from my little boys’ rainbow singlet from Rainbows and Ringlets or the gorgeous vintage style boat shorts from Lila Bloom.

10. Handmade = Made with Love. As Tamara Buckler says: “I like that each item is made by hand, stitch by stitch, minute by minute, with deep thought and care. Each item is a piece of art from the heart.”

The challenge is on – do you think you could go 100% handmade this Christmas?