A Little Something To Show I Care

This past weekend I went gift shopping for four of my best friends, and I forgot how much I loved doing it! I have loved giving gifts ever since I was a little girl. I remembered how much joy and gratitude I would feel when someone got me a gift, so I wanted those I cared about to feel the same way. 

It’s not always about a special occasion or feeling the need to buy someone something. I prefer getting things for people when I see something that makes me think of them rather than struggling to find something they will like.  

Nothing makes people feel better than when you get them a gift that is out of the blue just because someone knew it was perfect for you. The unexpected is something I really appreciate, and when I receive a random gift or my go-to drink, I feel happy that someone was thinking of me. 

I still do love to give gifts for special occasions because then it’s an excuse to get that person something special.  

Gift-giving can be a difficult task depending on the person. It can be hard to get something for someone you aren’t super close with or someone who doesn’t share the same interests as you. I find that getting different gifts can be inspiring for what I may want in the future and a way for you to show that you got something that they would actually enjoy.  

A gift is a sign of love and appreciation for someone in one’s life, which is also why it is considered one of the five love languages. I have always thought of myself as a pretty good gift-giver, and a main reason for that is my notes app on my phone. 

I make a note folder on my phone with the title of the person’s name and gifts I’ve thought of for them or things that remind me of them for years. 

I started doing this when I was around 14, and it’s been the biggest lifesaver. I have a notes app for whenever I am in a store or shopping online, and I see something that I know that specific person would like. It is the most useful when I am with that person and they point out something in the store they like or their specific coffee/food order. I can just write it down, so I won’t forget it later.  

I never delete these pages and it’s so interesting to see things I was getting for some of my friends years ago and how much we’ve changed.   

Sometimes these folders will have themes for stuff like Christmas ideas, baby shower gifts, Secret Santa, and, of course, birthdays.  

If I ever run out of ideas, I can look back at my notes app and find what they were wishing for. It’s been funny a few times when I find something they wanted almost a year before their birthday, and we both forget that they ever wanted it.  

I have always struggled with expressing my emotions, and that comes with expressing my gratitude and love for the people I cherish most in my life and gift-giving has been a way to express that.  

It’s not about the money spent or the number of gifts someone gives, but the thought that goes behind them, which will make someone feel special. Yes, I’m sure we’d all love a new phone or a trip to your favorite vacation spot, but I truly do think the personal and sentimental gifts mean so much more. 

When I was a little girl, it was hard to shop for my parents and friends because I didn’t have any money. For my friends, my mom used to buy their presents until I was around 13; then I had some money of my own that I could spend.  

For my family members, it would be more difficult to buy things because I had to rely on myself. When I didn’t have money, I would write letters or make handmade gifts to show my appreciation. Now that I’m older, I am so fortunate to be able to afford nice things for my favorite people, but I am even more fortunate because of how easy it is to give them sentimental gifts showing my gratitude. 

• expression
• gift giving
• gratitude