Now there are just two making days before Christmas, and for some, lacking tools and materials, not to mention experience, it may all come down to cookies. Follow a recipe for the best results. Tonight I made pizza to celebrate my daughter's return from New York. After taking two days instead of one due to delays and mechanical troubles, a missed final flight, and a lonely overnight in Memphis, Lucy made it home to Northwest Arkansas. Some comfort food was in order, and I was highly complemented that Lucy believes my pizza to be better than what she found in New York City.

That brings me to the point of this evening's blog entry. Our culture has disparaged and undervalued the work of the hand. To put things right requires affirmative action in which time and effort are offered in appreciation of the values that the hands impart. This can be hard. There is a lot of ill-conceived, poorly-made stuff being done, and simply being done by hand is not sufficient justification for all of it. The secret to being of support to those who strive in the crafts is not to draw unreasonable comparisons with manufactured work, but to follow the guidance of Otto Salomon who said "the value of the student's work is not in the object but in the student." Notice the application of effort. Reward it with your attention. Ask about the feelings of accomplishment and the direction of future work. Ignore the obvious failings in the work and look for and describe its strengths. Remember that in learning not all will achieve the same level of expertise, but that all can benefit from the encouragement that you can offer.

So whether or not you have the time or inclination this Holiday season to make things or even cookies (or pizza) for those you love, you may encounter gifts made by hand. Treasure them and award their makers your undivided attention. The hands are the foundation of civilization and must not be forgotten.