Whether you're celebrating a birthday or holiday with a Native American friend or attending a special Native American ceremony, you can give a gift that recognizes the history and legends of the Native American tribe. Presents need not be expensive. You can give a thoughtful, creative gift by taking a few steps to make something by hand, support a Native American craftsman or procure specialty items with a Native American theme.
Dreamcatcher
Crafts are great gifts for two reasons: They show you've taken the time to personally create something for the recipient, and they're often inexpensive. For a low-cost but impressive Native American gift, consider a dreamcatcher. These simply made hanging crafts are composed of twigs, string, feathers, leather laces and beads, and decorated to the crafter's preference. You can find step-by-step instructions online to create your own personal gift, or purchase a handmade dreamcatcher at a craft show, specialty boutique, Native American shop or festival.
Corn Husk Doll
Another craft-related gift idea is a corn husk doll. Native American legend is that the Spirit of Corn was honored to sustain the people, and created a doll of herself to give the Native Americans something to take pride in and give as a gift to others. Corn husk dolls can be made inexpensively and personalized for each recipient on your gift list. Use scraps of cloth in their favorite colors, or match hair colors to the person's real hair color. Corn husk dolls can also be purchased from online crafters and museum shops.
Jerky
Jerky can be found in almost every grocery store or specialty food shop, and it's even sold in convenience stores and gas stations. Although it is mass-produced now, jerky was once called Ch'arki or charqui by the Incas and translates to "dried meat." It is up for debate whether Native Americans created the first jerky out of buffalo. Consider a gift of specialty jerky for your next occasion. Jerkies come in just about every variety of meat, with special seasonings, textures and added flavors.
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