The spookiest season of the year is here!

With October already upon us, many of your minds will be turning to Halloween 2022.

There’s something extra special about those crisp Autumn days, leaves changing colours and that frosty sparkle on the ground in the run up to Halloween, and we embrace every bit of it.

From cosy sweaters to keep out the chill to…erm… decorating Halloween trees?!

Hold on, what?

That’s right, for some people, Halloween means decorating a super spooky tree, complete with spider’s web tinsel and pumpkin lights. Who knew?

Well, this year, we’re all about embracing the unconventional and making Halloween 2022 the year we started a new Halloween tradition.

So grab your gingerbread latte, slip into those fluffy slippers and light your fall-scented candle to choose which of our four unusual Halloween traditions your household can embrace for Halloween 2022.

Photo credit: www.lavenderandlovage.com

Snack on a Soul Cake!

Does a soul cake sound spooky enough?

One old-fashioned tradition we like is the giving and eating of soul cakes. Well, let’s be honest, who doesn’t like cake?

Dating back to Mediaeval times, a soul cake is a sweet, round cake with raisins and spices. Traditionally, on All Saints’ Day – or All Souls’ Day – a soul cake was given to ‘soulers’ who came knocking on the door to sing songs and pray for the souls of the dead. Kind of like a Halloween carol service!

The traditional recipe includes seasonal spices, such as nutmeg and cinnamon, and can be adapted to add delicious chunks of fruit, such as orange. You could even add a dash of alcohol to the recipe or add delicious extras like chocolate chips to make the recipe your own.

In the past, the cakes had a cross scored into them as a reference to Christianity. Nowadays, a soul cake could have icing skeletons on them, or be baked into the shape of a pumpkin. The possibilities are endless!

This tradition isn’t practised often anymore, but in Portugal, the Phillipines and in some parts of England you can still find soul cakes for sale in bakery windows.

If baking a soul cake has taken your fancy, you can find a scrummy, seasonal recipe here.

Photo credit: www.countryliving.com

Decorate your Halloween Tree

Can’t wait to get tree-decorating? Why not put up a Halloween Tree!

Have you seen the pictures?

With over 50,000 tags on Instagram for the hashtag #halloweentree, this unusual tradition is definitely insta-photo worthy and has a place in the influencer crowd!

Putting up a frosty Christmas tree, then decorating it with ghoulish baubles and some terrifying tinsel, is a guaranteed way to make your home ready for the season.

Double down on the seasonal decorations: just add a festive scented candle, an autumn wreath and some fairy lights for a magical living room, perfect for those long, autumn evenings snuggled on the sofa.

This one is my personal favourite: who doesn’t love cosying under a blanket in a room surrounded by candlelight?! And with a Halloween Tree in the corner, any living room can be easily decorated for the spookiest season.

Ready to get decorating? Dig out your Christmas tree early this year, and why not craft your own Halloween decorations? You can find awesome tree-decorating ideas on Pinterest here.

Dine with the Dead

There’s no way of escaping it, Halloween is all about the dead. Traditions from all over the world at this time of year are based around honouring and remembering those who have gone before you.

From Dia de los muertos in Mexico, to Ognissanti in Italy, the legend has it that this time of year is when the veil between the living world and the dead is thinnest. Our departed family members and loved ones take this opportunity to jump over and join us for one evening of the year.

Many cultures celebrate this occasion with a meal. In Mexico, families set the table filled with marigolds, photos of the dead and their dead loved ones’ favourite things, such as a cosy sweater or a well-loved book.

Then, they eat a feast of all the favourite foods of the dead, and leave an empty chair at the table to welcome the departed back for their family meal.

What a great way to remember your family members! A table full of shared laughter and special memories, with people taking turns to honour and remember great times with our dearly departed.

We think this is a lovely tradition, and not actually as spooky as it first sounds!

Want to read more on how Mexicans celebrate Dia de los muertos? Read more about this unique celebration here.

Give a Halloween Gift

Can’t wait till Christmas?

A perfect way to celebrate halloween and combine all of these traditions is by giving your family and friends Halloween gifts.

Gifts have been common in celebrations of Halloween for many years. Like trick or treating, or even ‘souling’, Halloween costumes are rewarded with something special and adults and kids alike share and receive gifts.

If you’re throwing a Halloween party in 2022, why not add an extra special detail to your guests, by creating Halloween gift bags! Similar to a party favour, a Halloween gift bag is like a grown-up game of trick or treat.

Stuffed with surprises, from jokes to sweets, fancy dress items to thoughtful additions, a Halloween gift bag is guaranteed to make your party memorable.

Having a family-oriented Halloween celebration?

Halloween, or All Saints Day, is the day for remembering your family members, and spending time with your nearest and dearest. Remember the occasion by giving a family tree gift frame – the perfect way to celebrate your family and decorate your Halloween feast.

Our Final Thoughts

We LOVE Halloween at A Gift of Happiness – and not just because we get to party!

We love the traditions, the costumes, the decorations and the sweets. We love the cosy, long nights, the crisp autumn leaves and making pumpkin pies. Most of all, we love the way that Halloween is a celebration that you can make your own.

No matter where you are from, celebrating Halloween comes down to remembering lost friends and family members, and sharing the love around your community. We think that’s beautiful.

So, whether you’re celebrating this year with a spooky soul cake, decorating a Halloween Tree or dining with the dead (and the living!), we send you our best wishes for the spookiest season of them all.

Happy Halloween!

 

When February 14th rolls around each year, the air is filled with romance across the country. From picnics in the park to expensive candlelit dinners, you are able to spot date nights everywhere.

In fact, British people spend a whopping £261 million on flower bouquets at this time of the year, and around 145 million cards are sent. That’s a lot of love!

However, with thousands of options for gifts on the most romantic day of the year, it can be easy to get overwhelmed. Fear not! A Gift of Happiness is here to help with our guide to the perfect gifts in 2022…

For the romantic

What’s the first gift that comes to mind when you think of Valentine’s Day?… I bet you said flowers, chocolates, or jewellery. Although they do remain the most popular gifts to give on this day, (and for good reason!), there are many other choices that differ from the norm.

• Handmade scrapbook – gather those sentimental bits and bobs and get crafty! You can use cinema trip tickets, concert tickets, or anything that reminds you of that special someone
• Dry fragrance kit – grab some potpourri, reed diffusers, and candles to make your SO a kit of their favourite fragrance. Perfect for a pamper evening with a relaxing hot bath!
• Post-it note treasure hunt – add some sentiment with a treasure hunt of post-it notes. Include your favourite memories and provide clues to the next note, either in your home or in a location that’s special to you!
• And from our own catalogue…our Playing Card Gift Frames are a beautiful addition to your home, as well as serving the perfect level of sentimentality and romance. Swoon!

For the practical

Whatever you enjoy doing as a couple, there’s probably a gadget that can make it even better. Something that you can use together is a great gift on Valentine’s Day, as it is practical whilst being able to add that extra special something when you’re spending time together.

• Bluetooth speaker – a must-have gadget for the home. Ideal for the kitchen to listen to while you both cook or maybe even for your home office if you co-work!
• Pizza oven – a pizza oven is a perfect gift for those who like to cook and entertain friends and family. There are many other accessories for this gift too, so it’s perfect to add extra ideas to birthday or Christmas lists
• Wine purifier – a purifier is a great way to restore the natural flavours and remove the sulphites of your favourite wines. A must-have for wine aficionados!

For the adventurous

More regularly topping the lists of best presents to buy your significant other over the last few years, have been experiences. From holidays abroad to cabin retreats and unique days-out, there are many options to make that Valentine’s Day gift special, and a little bit different!

• Virgin Experience Days – valid for 9 months from purchase, Virgin Experiences offer a wide range of days out from theatre trips to days spent driving around racetracks!
• Airbnb – an increasingly popular way of booking short mini-breaks in the UK and further afield. Don’t forget to check out Airbnb Experiences for local activities when you go away
• Viator Experiences – working in conjunction with Trip Advisor, Viator offers thousands of experiences in cities across the world so you can add that perfect excursion to your next holiday!
• And from our own catalogue…our Memories Mapped Gift Frames are perfect to commemorate highlights after your travels! With our beautiful location heart feature, you can pinpoint exactly where you were when you had your special moments!

For the foodie

Do you like fancy dinners at top restaurants or is a cosy night in with a takeaway more your deal? There are many options for you to treat your special someone to a fabulous meal, and make it romantic too!

• Breakfast in bed – whether a fry-up is on the cards or a light breakfast is more their thing, being served breakfast in bed has got to be one of the best ways to wake up!
• Tasting menus – a perfect way to try different dishes on a set menu is a tasting menu. These can be found at restaurants across the country and are a fabulous addition to an evening out without needing to break the bank
• Takeaway dice – not sure what to have for your takeaway? This dice will show you the way! The perfect little gift for the indecisive food lover

Hopefully, you’ve got a better idea of what you will buy for Valentine’s Day! If you’re still searching, our gift collection includes a range of beautiful, handcrafted items that will make the ideal present for that special someone. Find out more about us and take a look at our range today for even more ideas!

Charlotte Di Placido – A Gift of Happiness

From dolls with a passion for fashion to handheld digital pets, the wide landscape of toys is ever-evolving.

Looking back on the toys of our childhoods, (or the toys we’ve been running around trying to find our own kids), are they simply just nostalgic, or have any of them actually stood the test of time?

We take a look at some of the best-selling Christmas toys and find out. Take a trip down memory lane with the list below and see how many you can remember…

Buzz Lightyear – 1995

It’s unsurprising that a toy introduced as “the coolest toy ever” in the Disney/Pixar franchise Toy Story, became one of the most sought-after gifts in 1995. The 12” tall action figure came with karate-chop action, high-pressure space wings, a retractable helmet, voice simulator, and wrist communicator.

Buzz has since been revamped and re-released several times alongside each new movie instalment. He is also the Disney store’s best-selling toy of all time so take that, Woody.

Bratz Dolls – 2001

The original Bratz Dolls, Jade, Cloe, Yasmin, and Sasha, were released in 2001 and were touted as having “a passion for fashion.” Each doll came with snap-on accessories and mix and match separates, giving them all a unique style.

Bratz Dolls were seen as Barbie’s cool younger sister with their loud make-up and even louder outfits. Desire, an Instagram-based artist, has said that “the fact they released a black doll on their first launch and it wasn’t added in a later date means we weren’t an afterthought.”

Tamagotchi – 1997

What were you doing if you didn’t have a Tamagotchi?! A handheld digital pet, Tamagotchi’s needed cleaning, feeding, and playing with, however, if they were neglected they would die.

In the original version, the pet would die within half a day if it wasn’t attended to, leading to people taking their Tamagotchis wherever they went. Schools even started banning them as they became too distracting. In the years since, a phenomenon called “the Tamagotchi effect” began, which is the development of emotional attachment with machines or robots.

Hot Wheels – 1968

Hot Wheels were born in 1968 and were brought to life by Mattel co-founder Elliot Handler when he challenged his design team to create a toy car that was cooler and performed better than anything else on the market.

A dedicated team works on the creation of fantasy custom cars to the most recent models and as a result, Hot Wheels will always have a special place in the hearts of kids today as well as those of generations past.

Furby – 1998

Released in 1998 by Tiger Electronics, the Furby became the must-have toy of the late 90s. Heavily inspired by the Tamagotchi, the Furby’s three creators, David Hampton, Caleb Chung and Richard C. Levy set about creating an electronic toy that you could physically pet, and by the end of the toy’s first three years, 40 million Furbies had been sold.

The similarity between Furbies and loveable Gizmo from the Gremlins movies also resulted in the release of the limited edition Gizmo Furby, proving a real treat for movie fans.

Cabbage Patch Kids – 1982

Cabbage Patch Kids dolls are a line of cloth dolls first produced by Coleco Industries in 1982 and it was claimed that each Cabbage Patch Kids doll was unique. They had different head molds, eye shapes and colours, hairstyles and colours as well as multiple clothing options. Each doll came with a “birth certificate” strengthening their individuality.

You can even go visit the Babyland General Hospital and see the birth of a doll, as well as thousands of Cabbage Patch Kids dolls.

Gameboy – 1989

The original Gameboy, released in 1989, was an 8-bit handheld console that supported interchangeable cartridges, although its screen could only display games in four shades of grey.

The most notable launch game was Super Mario Land but since then the console has seen the likes of Tetris, Pokemon, The Legend of Zelda, and Donkey Kong. Now a vintage classic, the Gameboy will remain a staple of 90s nostalgia.

Barbie – 1958

Barbie officially debuted on March 9th, 1959 at the American International Toy Fair in New York City as a creation of Mattel co-founder Ruth Handler. Barbara Millicent Roberts, or Barbie, was the first mass-produced toy doll in the US with adult features.

In 2020, a range of new inclusive dolls was released that featured dolls with no hair, prosthetic legs, and vitiligo, with the aim that all children could find a doll that speaks to them.

Barbie has had over 200 careers including an astronaut, a doctor, and a rock star and she has run for president seven times. She is a true icon of our time.

Rubik’s Cube – 1974

The Rubik’s cube is a 3D combination puzzle game invented in 1974 by Hungarian sculptor and architecture professor Erno Rubik, who initially wasn’t even sure it could be solved.

Mathematicians have calculated that there are 43,252,003,274,489,856,000 ways to arrange the squares of the puzzle but only one of them is correct. The cube has been studied and played with for decades and remains a popular gift for all ages.

The current record for the fastest solve of the cube is an incredible 3.47 seconds by speedcuber Yusheng Du.

Lego – 1932

Lego originally started in Denmark as a carpenter that made wooden toys, stepladders, and ironing boards. Two years later the business took the name of Lego, which came from the Danish words “LEg GOdt”, meaning “play well.”

From 1964, people could buy full Lego sets which included all the parts and assembly instructions to build specific models. Later on, Lego introduced themes lines like space, western, pirates, and Harry Potter.

In 2000, The British Association of Toy Retailers named the Lego brick the “Toy of the Century” and as of 2018, Lego has sold 75 billion of its bricks across 140 countries. It’s safe to say that Lego has definitely stood the test of time.

So there you have it, 10 of the top best-selling Christmas toys of all time. I’m sure, for many of you, there will be a toy or two in there which will have left you feeling a sense of nostalgia.

Still looking for a timeless gift to give this Christmas? Our gift collection includes a range of beautiful, handcrafted items that will make the ideal present for that special someone. Find out more about us and take a look at our range today for ideas!

Charlotte Di Placido – A Gift of Happiness

With Halloween coming up, I started salivating at the thought of all the sweets I could ‘borrow’ from my younger relatives- but started to wonder about the morality of the ‘candy tax’.

Not wanting to be a sweety tyrant, I started googling to see if anyone else was thinking the same way I was.

Nedra McDaniel from the Adventure Mom Blog is firmly Team Tax, stating that it’s the best way to teach your kids the valuable life lesson of doing their taxes.

McDaniel describes the Candy Tax as:

“…part of my commission for assisting in their candy abundance and also out of parental concern for their teeth, I issued the candy tax.

I tell my kids that I’m concerned about their potential for cavities, but the reality is that I also enjoy skimming their candy piles in hopes of a few Take 5 Candy Bars and Reese Cups.”

So, is it okay to take some of their sweets as a lesson in fiscal savviness- and as an excuse to save them from cavities? Personally, I think so. They’re little, they can’t eat reams and reams of sweets- and all that sugar is bad for their health!

Kelly Phillips, a writer for Forbes, does not take a tax from her kids. I read her article (a few times) and, in all honesty, could not make much sense of it. I am not a financially savvy person and all the tax talk in her post was lost on me. Her main reasons are as follows:

1. The United States doesn’t have a flat tax. That 33% candy tax? That’s a flat tax.
2. For the most part, income is income. All candy, however, is not the same.
3. Seizing the candy means your kids aren’t getting the benefit of any deductions (or credits).
4. Trick or treating isn’t actual work.
5. Timing is everything. Collecting the candy tax immediately teaches the wrong message.

So, with all of this in consideration, I decided to compile my own list of why I think taking a candy tax from children is okay.

1. The United States doesn’t have a flat tax. That 33% candy tax? That’s a flat tax.
2. For the most part, income is income. All candy, however, is not the same.
3. Seizing the candy means your kids aren’t getting the benefit of any deductions (or credits).
4. Trick or treating isn’t actual work.
5. Timing is everything. Collecting the candy tax immediately teaches the wrong message.

So, whether you’re Team Tax or not, have a happy, safe Halloween however you choose to spend it!

Taylor Jones – A Gift of Happiness

There is a lot to love about giving gifts. It’s a fact of life that you can’t avoid…and why would you want to?!

Lots of people say that seeing a person’s face after giving them a gift as one of the best feelings in the world. You might shop for hours or spend lots of time DIY’ing personal gifts. Maybe you saw something that a special person would love a year ago and you’re excited about finally giving it to them. After all, gifts are one of the five love languages.

But it’s not a level playing field out here and sometimes the gift giver can come with a quirk. We compiled a list of the 7 types of gift-giver, confident that everyone has been one of them at some point. So…which one are you?

The Re-gifter

The fact is that 40% of people have re-gifted before. We’re not judging you, we’ve all done this at some point (haven’t we?) This type of gifter is often spotted within families and it gets particularly exciting if there are multiple. Cue awkward glances, eyebrow raises, and not-so-subtle questioning. Bonus points are available if you are re-gifted your own gift from the year before. Ouch.

The Cash Flasher

The cash flasher likes to spend, but more than that, they like other people to notice how much they’ve spent. Their gift is usually way over budget and it comes with a set of expectations on what you should have spent on them. The cash flasher can’t hide their disappointment when they open your gift, a lovely and thoughtful item that was bang on budget. What a monster you are.

The Sentimental

We all love a kind gesture that is from the heart. The sentimental takes this and multiplies the emotion by 1000%. They will get you a very sweet gift that evokes old memories that you didn’t know you had. There will be crying and reminiscing. Expect this gift to be wrapped in tear-stained paper and to be accompanied by a particularly flowery sonnet.

The Forgetter

Don’t take it personally, but someone will have forgotten your birthday at some point. I bet you’ve forgotten someone else’s though so there’s no need to cause a scene. A forgetter is typically quite easily identified. They will normally get you a gift card and an excuse, usually, one that involves the post office.

The Strings Attached

The strings attached has bought you a gift with an ulterior motive. It’s either so that they can use it themselves, (“I’ll be borrowing that!”), or so that they could relentlessly ask you about it, (“What are you wearing on Saturday? You should wear that dress I got you!”)

The Clueless

Okay, so they knew it was your birthday, but they have had nothing to do with the gift at any stage. Thinking of what to buy, finding it, and sometimes even paying for it. Often found in couples, the clueless’ awkward smile, and slight nod when you thank them for the present means only one thing. They absolutely didn’t buy it.

The Genuine

Finally, we arrive at the rarest gift giver. The genuine has found a gift that is perfect for you. They put an appropriate amount of sentiment into the gift, they can’t wait to see your reaction and they don’t overwhelm you with a huge amount of fanfare and pressure. A win all round!

So how do you become ‘the genuine’? It’s pretty easy with A Gift of Happiness! For the perfect blend of sentiment and sincerity, take a look at our Memories Mapped collection which features a range of bespoke gift frames that highlight those special moments.

Charlotte Di Placido – A Gift of Happiness

It’s good to remember those special dates in our life precisely because they can be so easy to forget. Life has a habit of getting in the way, doesn’t it?!

The first time you met. At your mates BBQ, back when they were just ‘Sarah’s friend’ with the cheeky smile and the double-denim. Or the office crush you admired from afar til that third Prosecco at the Christmas party…

The first kiss! Ah, the first kiss…maybe it was old-school, a nervous peck at the front door after your first date? Or was it tongues and hands going everywhere like it was the slow-song at the high-school disco? (when, in fact, you were 32, it was half-nine on a Tuesday night at the local and you still cringe a little bit when you walk in the door…)

When you both ‘knew’… when they put a ring on it… or when you both said ‘I do’? Every love story has it’s own unique history, it’s own story, it’s own twists and turns.

As the years go by it can be harder to find that special romantic anniversary gift idea. Mostly because you have worked your way through the usual suspects! Chocolate doesn’t fit into the keto diet, the cat always chews the flowers and jewelry just gets stuffed in a box at the back of the knicker drawer.

Every once in a while it’s nice to push the boat out a bit. Say to them not just “I remember” but “Ahhh…Remember?”

So we have a few romantic yet thoughtful gift ideas here that’ll not only win you some brownie points (which never hurts!) but give you both something to celebrate and commemorate the journey that got you were you are today.

1. A scrapbook of your time together and special memories

You can root out the old photo albums and make a scrapbook that traces the dates and the moments most precious to you as a couple. Watch how the relationship evolves as the love grew and the years went by. Maybe make copies and put them in a digital picture frame, a lovely little rotating reminder above the mantelpiece every day. Or if you’re a whizz on the computers and you guys have been taking lots of videos over the years, a montage of clips together? You could have a timeless and precious memento to look back on together – maybe even add to?- as the years go by.

2. Recreate your special dates

Another idea is to have a night to recreate some of the special dates you shared before.

Go back to the place where you first met for a drink then onto a meal at the venue where you had your wedding reception. A picnic at the park where you had your first kiss.

A trip back in time to remember how it was back then and celebrate how far you’ve come. Reminisce. Have a giggle. Maybe even combine it with a bit of dress-up (I’m talking your old work uniform here, not French maid!!!)

This one, of course, might not be so doable if you live far away but it could also be a good excuse for a little trip if you really want to push that boat out!

3. A personalised gift that celebrates your anniversaries

Or why not have a keepsake made to capture your special dates? A little reminder that brings back with a glance and a smile the history and the happiness that makes your story unique and makes you You. A little nudge in the right direction next time you find life getting in the way again.

As luck would have it, we know just the place… check out our range

Pete Martin – A Gift of Happiness

So, obviously, we all know our partners are hot stuff, but how do we react when others know our partners have got it goin’ on?

You might be a couple who thinks a bit of admiration from others is nothing more than flattery and laugh it off together, or you may be someone who feels scorned at the slightest glance from another person towards your (insert whatever your cringey-but-cute pet name is here). Obviously, people who don’t mind and people who absolutely do mind are going to have different reactions, but how do we respond to people who clearly want a slice of our cake in a graceful way (whilst still showing we mean business!)

The general debate seems to be between two very different viewpoints: if you care about people flirting with your partner you’re insecure and don’t trust them or, you’re completely justified in having as ‘crazy’ a reaction as you like if someone so much breathes in the direction of your partner.

I decided my opinion alone was not going to cut it, so I took to Twitter to give you some outsider perspectives (before I give you my take, of course) on whether or not you should be annoyed when someone flirts with your partner and how to deal with it if and when it happens.

Twitter user @notcorry stands firmly on the ‘who cares if someone flirts with them’ camp, tweeting:

“I do not understand people that get jealous in relationships if someone is flirting with ur partner u should be cheering them on”

The people in @notcorry’s replies, however, weren’t so sure…

Twitter user @Logan90675844 replied:

“Dumb comment, science explains jealousy, only morons don’t get”

While I get what @notcorry was saying (because duh, who doesn’t love being reminded that their partner is a hottie?), I have to say I agree with @Logan90675844.

Science does in fact explain jealousy, with a Medium article stating:

“…some aspects of jealousy and jealous traits are innate in the human conditions […] and what was formerly perceived as ‘innate’ is far more nuanced and flexible than we assume.”

So should we call off the whole argument here and decide that we should accept that jealousy in a relationship is a human instinct- and take comfort in science supporting our decision not to better ourselves?

Not exactly, Marriage.com explains that, while there are ways and times to be healthily jealous in your relationship,

“Jealousy becomes unhealthy when you lose control of your thoughts, and you make up assumptions that are birth attitudes, fights that could ruin your relationship. Jealousy affects all relationships, but it is up to the couples to determine if it will affect positively or negatively”

The top three ways to deal with jealousy in your relationship are:

1. STOP creating scenarios! You can’t create a whole ten-act play in your head every time another person glances at your partner, you’re only making yourself feel worse!

2. Communication is KEY! Nothing is going to get better because you sat with your arms folded and a stormy look on your face when your partner asked what you wanted for dinner, you need to tell them how you feel! A problem shared is a problem halved- and what better person to share with than the person involved in the problem?

3. Understand your jealousy! When you start imagining your partner cheating on you, put the brakes on the crazy train! Go back and determine what brought about such thoughts and what caused the jealousy. Was it something your spouse did, or are you just being insecure? You can’t solve anything if you don’t know what’s upsetting you!

To put these steps into practice, remember that it doesn’t need to be that serious! The next time that woman old enough to be your mum flirts with your hubby at the bar, think to yourself- is it even a big deal? Sometimes people just want to have some fun and it’s not something that is ever going to have any real effect on you- (even though it’s very annoying and super rude!) If someone flirts with your partner, just take your partner aside to let them know you weren’t comfortable with it and you’d like them to make sure they shut anything similar down straight away in the future!

If you’ve indulged in some attention from someone other than your beloved and you want to apologise after this enlightening report, what better apology than a personalised gift? I wonder where you could get something like that? Wait… check out our range

Taylor Jones – A Gift of Happiness

We’ve all been there – a birthday or Christmas rolls around and we excitedly tear into that shiny gift from grandma only to see the 10^th consecutive pair of socks or (god forbid) a Lynx Africa set…

So what do we do with these unwanted gifts?

Do we smile politely then tuck them away into some dark crevice of the house, never to be seen again- or at least until someone is tearing the house apart looking for that ‘vintage’ pair of jeans they refused to part with in the 90s that they swear are worth money now. Do we peel off any incriminating price tags or stickers, re-wrap the gift and tuck it away to be handed to the next unsuspecting soul unlucky enough to have the soonest birthday like some kind of gift-curse?

I am NOT one to shame re-gifters, believe me, I’ve done it one too many times before. I learned the ancient art of re-gifting from my mother, with many nights spent after Christmas or birthdays watching her carefully wrap bottles of perfume she deemed ‘too sickly’ or pairs of pyjamas someone had given her three sizes bigger than she wears. So naturally, re-gifting has never been something I questioned.

I first encountered the seriousness of the re-gifting debate after reading a Good Housekeeping article exploring the shady world of re-gifting and having etiquette experts weigh in on the matter. The article agreed with my point of view, saying that re-gifting is fine so long as you keep the recipients in mind and only re-gift items in a different circle of people and in perfect condition.

An article on Quartz cites the Emily Post Institute on etiquette deems re-gifting as “inherently deceitful” and can only be done if two rules are followed:

1. You avoid deceit and hard feelings
2. You are honest with yourself and others with your intention to re-gift

All of these discussions, while riveting, ignore the obvious solution to ending regifting once and for all – personalised gifts!

With a personalised gift, you are showing the recipient that you truly thought on the person you’re giving the gift to when you were buying it- nothing says ‘this just had your name on it’ more than something with their literal name on it- wake up people! Personalised gifts are timeless, sentimental and (in my opinion) the BEST option, especially when you’re not 100% confident in what the giftee will want.

Regardless of whether you’re buying for your hard-headed dad or a moody teen, something personalised that shows you thought of them in particular when buying their gift is sure to warm their angsty little hearts (even if they don’t show it).

Think of new-born babies- anyone out there who’s had one will know that friends and family absolutely bombard you with cute little outfits and shoes for them, making it impossible for you to actually use everything before they grow out of it- or, even worse, the cute little onesie your great-aunt bought you gets a baptism of fire (or vomit) ten minutes after you dress them up.

To avoid your gift gathering dust laying in a cupboard, never to be worn, why not get them one of our personalised new-born gifts  and ensure they’ll have something to remember for years to come (and also save your gift from suffering a dreaded poop-explosion).

At the end of the day, people are going to re-gift no matter what. You can spend hours searching for the perfect scarf for your mum or relentlessly trudge through the web to find that super-cool-totally-not-cringe gift for your 15 year-old-niece who is absolutely going to find it cringe anyway and they still mightn’t like it. So why not grab a personalised gift they can cherish forever? Okay, the teenager is probably still going to say it’s cringe but trust me they’ll appreciate it when they’re older more than they’ll appreciate that gift card.

Happy Personalising!

Taylor Jones – A Gift of Happiness