Handmade, self-crafted gifts or designer, luxurious gifts collectively piled under the festively decadent Christmas tree; what’s on your wish list this year?
Gift-buying can be an extremely challenging annual task. If anything shows someone how much you know them, a present says a thousand words. You try to recall all the subtle hints they’ve been dropping all year, only to realise it’s been going in one ear, out of the other. Oops! Cue the world’s smallest violin… Is this a trick question? Don’t get me started on Secret Santa!
Once you take the time to sit down to think and prioritise your giftee’s lifestyle, preferences, likes and dislikes, you realise there’s only a teeny margin for error. After all, all you need is love, right? And maybe a mince pie too!
….. 5 minutes later you realise you’re none the wiser. I’m pulling your arm, of course!
I’d say some of my best gift-giving has been precious, thoughtful, sentimental, one-off gifts. A mixture of handmade crafted treasures and mini gifts with a luxurious nature. Best of both worlds you could say. But the ones that have the most meaning to me are unique, personally-made gifts for your recipient(s).
Gift-giving is also known as one of five love-languages. It’s how some communicate emotionally, so it’s worth giving it a little thought if nothing else!
Reactions can vary, from pure happiness to nonchalant, or even animated, expressive disappointment unfolding in front of your eyes. It can sometimes leave a lasting impression on the buyers recollection and if you witness lack of grace or gratefulness, it may leave you second guessing their nature and how well you really know each other.
I had the worst instance of this which remains engraved on my mind, not only in shock but humour, even up to this day! I don’t think insulting is impactful enough for the attitude I witnessed. It was simply rude, not only at myself but furthermore, other family member(s) of mine.
Fairy lights weren’t shining through, it was their true colours. You gift from a place of kindness, it’s not a necessity. It can make an underlying personality trait come to the surface which may not positively align with your traits. So take reactions with a pinch of salt, as nine times out of ten, your recipient will be most pleased that the thought even crossed your mind!
I think at times, people lose sight of the grand scheme of things, what’s important and what isn’t. Togetherness and choosing to take time out of your life to make another’s happier whether that be in the form of friends, family or a partner is hard to come by; a great sign of selflessness and a kindhearted nature!
Having said that, it’s equally as important to not over-read into gifting. It’s fun, thoughtful, kind but also in good spirit. Remind yourself that gifting is not the only way of expressing kindness to another, it can be words, time, company or simply a memory of a special keepsake like a photograph. Value leads with your heart, gift-giving is the ribbon bow, a complementary finishing touch!
What do you think? Is gifting important? Is it stressful; dependent on the recipient? Do you prefer giving or receiving? Have you ever had a bad experience? Do you keep the receipt just in case the recipient doesn’t like it? Comment below!
Beauty File 
Gifting is important yet difficult which is why I have gifted prepaid debit cards for family for years. This way, they can buy what they want and are satisfied with the purchase. I hope. 😂
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Haha yes gift cards are the best! It’s thoughtful and practical – impossible to get wrong!👏🤣🤍
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That’s right! 😂👍🏻❤️
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I love giving gifts! I go for what I know someone would enjoy… OR something I know they’ve never tried that would be fun 😊🌼
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Aww that’s so thoughtful! It shows time and effort has been spent thinking of their likes or dislikes – so lovely!!😊🤍
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Don’t know if it still happens but once-upon-a-time, men would break up with their girlfriends just before Christmas so they would not have to buy expensive presents. I sometimes wondered if this was because of financial constraints or simply showed how little they were committed to that relationship. Interesting quandary.
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Hahaha no way, I think I’ve heard of this. That’s simply so cruel and shows they were never invested; emotionally, never mind financially. Why would you contemplate spending a pound on someone if you know they’ll be long gone in the new year… It makes sense and shows someone’s true colours. So I’d probably prefer that method, brutal but at least I’d be able to categorise a fraudster from a genuine soul! Any pity gift bought from a player will soon be found in the trash anyway, so I’d rather him save his two pence!😂🤍
Commitment doesn’t cost a thing🙏🎁
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I had never really thought of the question in your first paragraph before, handmade self-crafted gifts 🎁 or designer luxurious gifts 🎁?
But that made me think and reflect, the gifts 🎁 I most remember receiving over the years were handmade self-crafted gifts 🎁.
With the exception of a few gifts I remember from my childhood, a car racing set, a train set, a Meccano set and a battery operated T-Rex 🦖 that fought a battery operated triceratops.
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Handmade, self-crafted gifts are always the most memorable! They tend to be more useful without the need for additional glitz and glamour that can often accompany luxurious gifts.
Aww those are such lovely recollections that reaffirm the significance and sentiment, impossible to replicate; no matter the staggering RRP or designer label.
Thankyouu so much for sharing beautiful memories!😊🤍
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A great question. I think I would go with sentimentalism. The personal connection always draws me in!
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Aw thankyou! Sentimentalism all the way, there’s nothing quite like it!😊🤍
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YES!
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I once told my family that we’d just give gifts that didn’t come from big box stores….either from markets, locally made, unique, one of a kind….that lasted, well, I was the only one that did…..everyone it was WalMart or Amazon….grrrrr
me, I’d rather have a quiet glass of wine with family and friends….and don’t get be started on how much I hate New Years Eve….
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That’s such a great idea!! Supporting local businesses and finding unique treasures. Ohh no haha not Amazon or Walmart🤦♀️, how could you tell😂 they always say after all – it’s the thought that counts!😂
Family time is the most important, 100%!
New Year’s Eve is overrated and don’t get be started on public transport. Everywhere is overpriced, busy and you tend to miss the firework display anyway.
Give me an open fire with the telly on any day of the week, that’s cosy and celebratory in the most relaxed way!🤍
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I always liked giving gifts, but it gets harder to know what someone might want, since most everyone already has it or can just go get whatever whenever they want. So for the past few years we give cash money to all, and everyone can do what they want with it. We’ve had no complaints. 🙂
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Cash money is a great alternative as the recipient is free to shop in any store they wish, due to not being bound to a specific gift card for example! Makes perfect sense😊🤍
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I prefer the sentimental. Sometimes it costs people more than the material.❤️ Or shows how much they actually know me, rather.
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Me too!! The care and time spent is incomparable; the value comes from the heart, which you’ll always remember with immeasurable joy when you look back at the gift😊🤍
Thankyouu so much for sharing, Tebo!🤗🤍
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Yes, absolutely! 🙂 Thank you for writing. Please keep going 🙂
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