Gift Giving: The Art of Growing

By: Sophie Karalambo

During my years in elementary school I had a difficult time keeping friends. I was always able to make friends very easily, but just as easily as I made them, those friends would drift away within a year or so. The reason this happened was mainly because of the people that surrounded me. They weren't my people, and they definitely weren't people who filled my cup. Gradually, I have been able to find my people through playing music, moving schools, doing different camps, getting help from my family, and joining theatre. Throughout this journey of finding my people, my art has been along for the ride too. My creative process has helped me realize the absolute joy it is to create a piece of art for a person or place that means something to me.

As I found myself crafting, the process started to become an extension of how I feel towards a person. I specifically show these feelings through my love for making homemade gifts, whether it be a collage, a piece of jewelry, a clay masterpiece, or just a card I drew. I like to put a lot of effort into my gifts with up to a month or at least a week of planning to carefully craft each item. This process always includes a full pinterest board dedicated to each present. My favorite part is when I can finally wrap up each gift and put it into a bag with decorations that match a person's identity perfectly.

Not only do I love the act of making gifts, I love seeing what these personalized items mean to my friends, loved ones, and family. I adore when my hours of hard work put into a piece of art can make someone's face light up when they rip the wrapping paper open. For example, I made my boyfriend elaborate handcrafted gifts for our first Valentine’s Day and Christmas together. The following quote is what he said about these gifts:

“I felt really happy and loved because someone that was close to me put in time and effort to make beautiful things for me. I really liked that and liked how you’d do that for me. I love looking at the flowers every time I do work at my desk and thinking of you, and that makes me work better. I love the cat on my pot because it reminds me of how much effort you put into thinking of what to get me. It’s just really really sweet! Last but not least, the card that I still go and read on a daily basis is so sweet. I love that thing so dearly because it’s the most heartfelt message I’ve ever gotten. I love it so much because it lets me know that there’s someone who cares about me and will help me through anything.” 

Over time, gift giving handmade items has truly brought me closer with the people who have become my very own safe space. I want to put this newfound knowledge into my work with WanderRoots by livening up certain aspects of the organization with my art. Furthermore, I want to make it easier for youth to find the safe spaces it took me so long to cultivate. Or, at the very least, I’d like to help create a map where people can make new friends who can become their safe spaces. Using the WanderRoots map, youth can plant the seeds of friendship that will grow into safety and belonging with the right nutrients. Fertilize those plants and watch them grow–just like I do with my gifts.