If you ever visit my home, please do not open the door to my entryway closet. I always invite first time guests to tour my apartment, until inevitably someone tries to open that door, forcing me to jump in front of it screaming, “it’s forbidden,” like a scene straight out of Beauty & the Beast. The closet is home to many of my possessions, none of which are related. Among them, coats, cleaning supplies, chalkboards, movie posters, single mittens, and the world’s largest residential supply of wrapping paper. If you are currently pulling out your copy of, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” to lend me, don’t bother. I have a copy. Ironically, it resides in a box at the bottom of the closet, still sparking joy.

My collection of wrapping paper, ribbons, and bows does not lay dormant between holidays. I have a deep affection for gift giving year-round. I have found that few things make ordinary days and occasions feel more celebratory than the giving and receiving of gifts.

OBSERVATION

Have you ever received a gift that made you feel known? Or perhaps the opposite… a gift that felt completely off the mark? My guess is that most of us have experienced a little bit of both. A thoughtful gift can have a lasting impact on a relationship, in part because gifts can represent much more than the exchange of a material good. A gift well-given has the power to make the recipient feel known and understood by the giver. The common sentiments, “I thought you might like this” and “This reminded me of you” speak to this knowing and understanding. For that reason, I find that a great gift often starts with observation. A study released during the 2019 holiday season, found that significant others, mothers, and children ranked among the best gift givers, while in-laws and co-workers ranked among the worst. Perhaps these results are not entirely surprising. After all, the best gifts are likely from those who most intimately know and understand our wants, needs, and interests.

It’s a simple matter of observation. It’s your friend constantly asking to borrow your lip gloss because they like the color. It’s your mother at Thanksgiving mumbling about how she does not have a big enough serving platter for the turkey. It’s your significant other trying to pull together an old suitcase with paper clips and duct tape on a trip because the zipper is broken. These are the moments that gift ideas are born.

PLANNING

There are two types of people in this world: People who find themselves in line at Target 20 minutes before a baby shower with a gift bag, card, and gift in hand and people who only leave themselves 15 minutes.

We’ve all been there.

You want to get a thoughtful gift for the person you love, but you simply do not leave enough time to do so. You find yourself a few days out from Christmas with 10 gifts to buy and no ideas in mind. Self-imposed tight gift timelines can cause unnecessary stress and lead to less than satisfying last minute purchases.

The time spent thinking of, planning for, and delivering a gift, can be equally as impactful as the gift itself. Have you ever received a gift from an unexpected giver? Perhaps a colleague or a casual friend? Often the gift is small, but the impact is big. There is power in realizing that someone took the time to think of you, plan for you, and invest money and effort in you.

Every time I receive a card from a long-distance friend, I am amazed by the fact that they found time to purchase stamps. What an adult thing to do. The card required planning and effort, and that often speaks louder than the card itself. The same can be said for gifts.

PRESENTATION

Next time you attend a child’s birthday party, study the fate of the birthday card while the gift is being torn open. The card is often a fatality, ripped and strewn aside with whatever remains of the wrapping paper. As we grow older, the words of others, the affirmations of love, care, and celebration, tend to mean more
than the gift they are attached to. Where possible, buy a card. I don’t just say that as the owner of a small card company (www.partynapkinsco.com), rather, I have seen the impact firsthand. Also, where possible, write on the card. A card is nothing more than a $5 folded piece of paper. Fill it with words that will last. Finally, come visit my entryway closet and borrow some wrapping paper. Presentation can be just as fun and memorable as the gift inside.

Speaking of gifts, this Friday is Valentine’s Day! . ?

Choose your preferred punctuation.

With the money I saved being single on Valentine’s Day again this year (can’t break the streak), I decided to pull together a Valentine gift package for my favorite valentines: my two nephews and niece, as well as their mother, my beautiful sister-in-law, Jordan. Loving across state lines can be hard, but gifts help bridge the distance.

See below for Valentine inspiration!

mini valentine piñatas

*Meri Meri mini heart piñatas (Available at Paper Source):*
These mini piñatas come pre-filled with confetti, a sheet of temporary valentine-themed tattoos, and room for additional candy and gifts. A gift meant to be destroyed is perfect for the toddler in your life.

household valentines

Who doesn’t love pretty pink things? Especially practical pink things for the home.
*Treasure Mini Glass Candle - Elderflower (Available at Anthropologie) - Best candle I’ve purchased in years!*
*George & Viv Stitched XO Bar Soap (Available at Anthropologie)*
*Market Dishcloths (shades of pink), set of 4 (Available at Anthropologie)*

little love sonnets

*“I Love You” - Little Poet William Shakespeare (Available at Pacifier)*
My sister-in-law installed bookshelves in the kids’ playroom where she features a few themed books each month. This adorable book of sonnets includes the poetry of William Shakespeare designed for the smallest valentines in your life.

That's a Wrap