We’ve all gifted our littles with a toy we think is so cute, fun, creative, so on trend… only to have their curiosity engaged by no more than the box it came in.
This kind of hopes-dashed gift giving can be deflating & I remember the first time this happened to us. I’d selected an adorable wooden stacking bear i envisioned he’d love & think was so fun. Christmas morning came & when we showed him the bear it was glanced at before he made a grab for the box. Ever curious about children’s minds myself, I waited by our boy & watched. His joy was on fire for this little box that had a flap closure — honestly, what could be more engrossing than a box with an opposable lid? The answer, for two whole days, was nothing.
While he was in his first year & a bit, not much seemed to grab his attention except for a small Maileg teddy & of course any box we gave him, outlet we protected, things we were holding... it didn’t matter what it was as long as it wasn’t a toy. Nothing was that cool & most things were deemed boring in seconds. Even my own child on his first birthday kept his own custom crown on his head for .2 seconds. Great.
Then something happened around the 18 month mark. He was sat in the sewing studio playing with a packet of pipe cleaners while I folded new fabrics & dusted my machine. He looked up at the display shelf & pointed to his own little crown while making the sound he associated with “hold”. My hopes were literally set to zero, that he would actually like his crown, but I still got up to get it for him. when i walked back toward him I took a quick moment to say “this was made just for you, it has your name on it, see?” and I pointed it out.
The smile that came was enough to make any mama well up. We’ve all been there, when our kid understands much more than they’re able to reciprocate in speech & you just know they caught the meaning of what you’ve said — this was no different. Our boistrous little boy suddenly sat quite still & let me tie the crown on his head. I watched him become so proud to look in the mirror, show daddy, show mommy, take a picture with it, parade it around… and it has stayed on a shelf in the play area* everyday since. He frequently asks for his “town”.
What happened there? What bit of fairy dust was exchanged in that interaction?
Any number of things could have been at play. He might have been at the right age to take interest in this kind of object. He might have remembered he saw a crown in a storybook. He may have even thought it looked so cool & recognized his name was hand stitched by his mom — ok, I hear your eyes rolling at that last one.
Honestly, I think what happened was he knew it was just for him. And this theory I have has played out each & every time I have presented him with a new item made just for him. His smile is different & his joy expands in a way I have yet to see replicated with other types of items. If you think it’s because I’m his mom & knows this would be excellent advertising if he was on board with the whole sewing business thing, I invite you to imagine my own eyeroll right now.
Some of the hanging baskets I made for their play area being put to work.
Material: cotton embroidery thread on canvas. pattern: The Minimal Sewist original hanging basket.
If I had to describe what I’m witnessing it is this: tinyhood is inherently magical. I’m doing nothing more than amplifying what is already present in children — a dedication to curiosity & a very human desire to be seen. What an honor to witness & attend to this in my children. What a gift it is to celebrate it.
Not everything can host this type of personalization but where it can, I am here. With original patterns, hand embroidery & customizable options, you can celebrate their tinyhood with just-for-them items. You might find a custom crown, specialty backpack or a completely original custom project you dream up becomes something special in their eyes.
In a small and powerful way, these made-for-you items highlight this most brief & precious reality. The magic is already present & I’m thrilled you let me at The Minimal Sewist highlight it.
*Important to note: the crowns are not considered a toy. adult supervision is required while in use & store somewhere out of reach.