It started out pretty simple.

We were at Hobby Lobby, I was waiting in line at the fabric counter and my husband was wandering.

“I’ve got an idea for a Christmas gift,” he said after he’d circled the store. “But it requires you doing some work.”

Neither of us knew what I was getting myself into, but about six weeks later I’ve finished one-half of the project.

Looks like someone will be getting a photo of a work in progress with a promise to finish it soon.

Ah, the joys of do-it-yourself Christmas gifts.

I’m new to the game, so a more seasoned DIY-er may have known how time consuming the project could be. I’ve learned my lesson and for the future I’ll know to start handmade gifts well before I think I need to, just in case.

But the amount of time one puts into making the item is part of the gift as well.

I spoke with Holly Sutherland, the moderator for the local Stitch ’n Bitch knitting group, about a month ago and she told me how amazed a co-worker was when presented with a hand-made scarf, marveling at all the time Holly spent thinking of her while knitting it.

Similarly, fellow Stitch ’n Bitcher Katy Clyde said that anyone can go out and buy a knit hat -- and that may be treated like a pretty lame gift. But if someone makes you a hat, it’s suddenly more personal and exciting.

The year I learned to knit, everyone in my family got a scarf for Christmas.

I think they liked them -- I didn’t have much experience at the time and the only variation from one scarf to the next was in color and length. No pretty patterns. No complex stitching.

In the name of saving money and giving more personal gifts, several of my friends and family will be getting items crafted by myself and my husband this year as well.

Thank goodness I’ve honed my craft a bit since those early knitting days, though I’ve still got plenty to learn.

You know, like how long it takes to knit a sock.

The hardest part is that work, cleaning the house, walking the dog and other daily life activities still require my attention and may prevent me from finishing all the gifts on time.

This is two-fold for someone who also has to ship those gifts. I get about a week less time than if I could simply hand-deliver them.

But over the last few years my family’s gotten used to my lack of understanding for how long it takes a package to get from point A to point B, especially this time of year.

It wouldn’t be the first time they got a late gift.

But I think they’ll appreciate it all the more knowing I took the time to do it right.

Though next year, I may just start in June.