Gift giving, and how to make your friends feel special.
Naturally, my acts of love and affection are based around making and giving people gifts. I love a good gift, especially one that is thoughtful in ways that aren't just surface level. I don't have many friends, at least not in my real day to day life, but if I did, here are some things and or ideas I have for gifts that I think are super thoughtful!
The first one is pretty basic, I know! But flowers from a close friend feels so special. I am personally biased, because I love flowers myself, but as soon as someone tells me their favorite flower, I'm already making a mental note to save up and buy them some!! They may not last forever, but that holds beauty in itself!
Buying your friend's fruit! I know this one sounds a little weird, but trust me. Unlike vegetables, fruit is such a widely loved food category, and if someone is having a bad day, something sweet always feels like comfort. Of course, maybe gifting them fruit straight out of their plastic containers might not scream "thoughtful", so making them a little basket for a hand picked look, or creating an arrangement is more fitting! It's the effort you put in that makes people smile!
On the subject of food, my favorite thing is baking!!! As someone who loves baking, my friends and family are bound to get at least one homemade sweet treat a week. It could be anything, cupcakes, cookies, brownies, or a slice of homemade sweet bread! Now, me being a total baking addict and perfectionist, usually my treats consist of bake off levels of decorating, but don't worry if your designs or presentation is not perfect! It's always the thought that counts. When people think of baking, they already think of warm, gourmand smells, and messy countertops. I know when someone bakes me something, it takes them hours to complete, and that never fails to bring me to happy tears!!
This one is a close second to practically running a bakery, but love letters to friends let me express myself in ways I can't really voice out loud. I've always been able to express myself better when I can sit down and think of the words I want to say, and no matter if it's a page long, five, or if it takes up a single sticky note, it will be sure to pull a smile on your loved ones face! Personally, I think it's absolutely adorable to open your locker and find a hand written note stuck to the side (given they left it unlocked!). Or maybe your friend opens their chromebook to find a sticky note full of love stuck on their screen! What a refreshment after a long, exhausting school day. Also, it's one of the easiest gifts to give. You can write on nearly anything like a sheet of paper, a gum wrapper, a flash card will definitely do! The only other thing you need is a writing utensil!
Another one of the best things you can do is not be a gatekeeper! Letting your friends borrow a perfume you have, or even something as simple as a headband is the best way to show someone that you care! Personally, I think that as a friend, if they love something then you should love that for them! Obviously, it's natural to want to keep the things we cherish to ourselves, but I think sharing our ideas and interests is how we form deeper personal connections to those around us.
This one is as simple as word of mouth, but giving a unique compliment can be one of the most thoughtful things ever. Not only does it highlight something about your friend that they might not notice, but it also shows your paying attention to the small details about them, and that is something everyone should cherish! You could compliment the mundane things, or something you love about their personality, and a unique thing about their looks instead of something general like calling them pretty, which I still feel like you should do! Make it a goal to give them a compliment everyday, even if nothing much has changed.
Hear me out because this one is super difficult to comprehend, but hugs!!! Okay, maybe not everyone loves to be hugged, especially in school, but i know personally hugs are my favorite thing in the entire world. There is a study somewhere that says you're supposed to get 8 hugs a day. 8!! Can you believe that! Most people don't even get one. Physical affection is a great way to show someone you care and are comfortable around them! Love comes from the heart, and when two hearts are connected, that love continues to grow!
Making bracelets is another one of my collected hobbies, no matter the bead i could sit there for hours and string them while I watch my favorite shows. If you know your friend loves jewelry, or a specific theme of colors, a bracelet is an amazing and thoughtful gift that will surely make your friend smile. I think these kinds of gifts are best as surprises, especially since they show that you remember the little things like their favorite colors, or a film they love to watch. The possibilities are endless when it comes to making bracelets so don't be afraid to get creative!
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The last sort of gift I'm going to list today is the gift of our personal belongings. For example, how many clothes do you know that's in your closet that you barely even look at? Or maybe you wear that one top every so often, but you know you could live without it. You also know your friend slid up on your story saying that your top was totally cute! Why not give it to them if it's already taking up space!! I think it is so incredibly thoughtful to give someone something of yours that they love, it shows you love them even more! Especially if it's something like a bracelet you wear all the time, or a bottle of nail polish that reminds them of you! Even a perfume you have, but isn't a scent you reach for. Unless you keep it for aesthetics (which same), if your friend would use it more, it would be an amazing gift!
Of course there are many more things you can do for your specials in your life! It’s always good to show appreciation for the people close to us, and I hope this has you feeling inspired.
Here is a list of some other ideas!!
𑣲⋆ printing a photo and making it a frame
𑣲⋆ making them a playlist
𑣲⋆ holiday themed gift boxes
𑣲⋆ reminders of you board
𑣲⋆ physical media of their fav song
𑣲⋆ paint/clay/draw them something!
𑣲⋆ 10 things I hate about you inspired poem.
𑣲⋆ make wishlists for each other!
Again there is so much more, I just think of these things and smile! Go show your friends some love!
