“It’s the thought that counts.”
“Say thank you.”
“Look surprised” (even though you know what you’re getting).
“Smile” (even if you hate it) and “gush about how you always wanted one”.
Gifting 101. My mom drilled this into my head so by the time I was 5 I had the “gift smile” down pat. I’m not a robot, I was just taught to make other people comfortable and feel good about their gifting choices even if they suck. And my mom was a stickler for proper etiquette.
Have I done any psychological harm? To others, no. To me? If you come at me with a wrapped box don’t be shocked if I start to shake and weirdly smile at you. I’m just wondering which of the above scenarios my mom taught me I’m gonna need to do next.
I’ve smiled through ugly brown plaid clothes when I was dying for Simon and 2XL.
I’ve thanked my ass off when I got a Pet Rock but was dying for the Easy Bake Oven.
The look of shock on my face when I got a Rubik’s Cube (I never could get it) when all I wanted was a Walkman.
I’m grateful and appreciative for the time it took my special someone to pick out the crappy gift. I always wrote a personalized thank you note (on stationary – another crappy, practical gift) BUT I’m still stuck every year cleaning out a closet shelf full of useless gifts. Some I donate and I’ll admit…sometimes I do the most horrible, grossest, most inconsiderate thing that would make my mother so ashamed of me that I think she’d disown me. I re-gift.
I know, GASP, the horror. Re-gifting. You can’t do that. The spiritual Ellen who is big on intention thinks re-gifting is the devil’s work but the eco-warrior in me LOVES it. But let’s be realistic here, some of those gifts are just downright horrible. I couldn’t re-gift them if I tried. The only way around this is to stop these horrible gifts right from the start. Stop thinking crap on sale and start giving gifts that are:
🦄 Unique
💝 Personal
🙏 Inspirational
👍 Useful
💰 Support small business
Mazie Rose is my go-to for gifts this year. They sell organic-based essential oils and crystal therapy products and they have plenty of beautiful and unique gifts that check all the boxes. All of their products are cruelty free and vegan (except the honey based lip scrub and goat milk based body wash) and they use recycled packaging. Hello, eco-friendly too!
Now for the best part…we’ve partnered up with Mazie Rose for this awesome Valentine’s giveaway. Enter now to win this trifecta of awesome and check out the Mazie Rose website for cool gifts that you won’t have to pretend to like.
- Lavender Sugar Body Scrub: Sugar scrub for your skin (or your special someone) that’s as sweet as it sounds.
- Black Tourmalinated Quartz Bracelet: This powerhouse of two amazing crystals together will keep you (or your special someone) in harmony. This stone soothingly brings negative emotions away and puts the positive emotions in their places. Hello…after 2020 we all need that!
- The F*CK Bracelet: The F*ck Bracelet is perfect for that special someone who loves to use naughty words (ummmmm I wonder who would love that gift and not have to pretend shock when opening the box).
Check out their Website, Facebook and Instagram.
