The Art of Giving Gifts

It’s nearing that time, birthdays and Christmas followed by more birthdays, the silly season starts a little early for me with the first birthday being my Aunts on Saturday. Oh, I’ll write a list so I don’t forget (scroll down, boring), Aunty 28th October, Cousin 3rd November, ME!!!! 18th November, Julia and dad on 8th December, Vikki 11th December, Jade 20th December, Christmas pressie’s for family. But wait, it doesn’t stop there, nephew on 6th January, last but not least mum on 20th January.

I can just see the penny’s going on presents; at least I get some in return!

Now I don’t want to come across as ungrateful and apparently I’m ‘hard to buy for’. There really is an art to giving gifts, the best present I’ve ever received was on my 19th birthday from MFL, 150 long stem red roses and if that wasn’t enough in one of the bouquets there was a bottle of Jean Paul Guiltier perfume with a diamond and amethyst ring (it fit perfectly). The year before, MFL and 2 of his friends chipped in for me to go sky diving with them, apparently I went grey, his sister went in my place.

I’m sorry to say, there was a major turning point in my relationship with my last boyfriend based on a birthday present he bought me. I cried on receipt of his present he didn’t know me at all he bought me 2 tops and a bracelet from Allanah Hill, frilly, lacey tops and costume jewellery! It went back to the store. I hated doing it, it’s just so far from my style, I would never have worn it and am aware of the expense.

Over the last couple of years I’ve been receiving body lotions, perfumes and gift certificates, however appreciative I am and it goes without saying ‘it’s the thought that counts’ how about a little more thought I hate, I mean really hate scented body lotion, who wants to walk around smelling like a fruit salad? On the subject of smell, perfume. Why do people purchase perfume for me ‘based’ on ones I already wear? I wear those perfumes because I like them. I’ve worn one since I was 15, it’s still my favourite and there’s only another 3 I really enjoy wearing. That’s it. I’m slowly trying to get through 4 other bottles… Finally, gift certificates – if I ever receive one Husk again, I’m going to Husk it up your arse! Have I ever mentioned how much I hate incense and shite like that!

Now that I’ve had a rant about receiving gifts, I’m going to turn the tables, give an insight to my gift giving… I give very few birthday presents, much fewer than I would like to, mostly due to budgetary restrictions. Only my closest friends and family, however I make sure it’s something the really need or want (even went through a girlfriend’s cupboard to see what glassware she needed). I have an agreement with my theatre loving girlfriend, we take each other to shows for our respective birthday’s, a little more than I’d usually like to spend but we both enjoy it.

When it comes to giving a gift to my lover I’ve found cost is a non-issue, I’ll crawl through as many stores as it takes until I find the perfect present. It feels like so long ago... There’s another benefit for the single girl, money saving on boyfriend’s presents! When I’m purchasing any old present for a man, friend that is, I will hear a guy say they like something in particular and I’ll go out and find it, give it to him with a smile ear to ear no expense spared but when I’ve started dating a guy I feel awkward and question myself, for example: Dating for a couple of weeks, he tells me his flat mate threw his favourite DVD as a frezbie to the dog, it flies out the window and straight under a truck, I’ll see that movie for $9.95, I think of buying it, I continue walking. No idea why I do it or feel that way.

I’m going to take a leaf out of Treespotter and Julia’s book, here’s a list:

- Digital camera
- Loccitane body lotion
- Mecca Cosmetica, Philosophy Amazing Grace Hot Salt Scrub
- Sony notebook
- GHD Hair Straightener
- This little green summer dress
- Mundial - Classic 10 Piece Knife Block Set Black

If someone really wants to impress me and has a modest budget, picking up some homemade jams from a quaint country town along with chocolate covered coffee beans or chocolate covered macadamia nuts will make me gush for years. And if a small country town is out of the way, a bottle of red will do just fine.