Every year I try to be organised by writing a list of people that I need to buy Christmas presents for in advance. Then over the next couple of months I will painstakingly think of meaningful gifts, as opposed to buying generic rubbish in a panic on Christmas Eve that will undoubtedly be re-gifted by them to someone else.
We’ve all received those presents before, haven’t we? And there’s nothing wrong with them per se, but they’re generally not suited to the recipient’s taste and have no sentimental value. You know the things I mean…beauty products that give you a rash, candles that smell of cat wee, or silly electronics that have an entertainment value of thirty minutes. I know, it’s the thought that counts, but I guess that’s exactly it. They purvey a lack of thought.
Anyway, a couple of years ago, I’d done my usual list, albeit in a bit of a rush. I’d trawled Friars Square in Aylesbury and the High Street in Thame, the weight of heavy shopping bags cutting into my hands as I trudged around shops, all playing Mariah Carey songs on loop. I had a niggling feeling that I’d forgotten something, but it was cold and raining and all I could think about was getting home and pouring a big cup of warming mulled wine…or two.
Back home I unpacked everything and checked the items off against my list. All present and correct. All that was left was to wrap them and then relax. I got out the wrapping paper, prepared my mulled wine and put ‘Elf’ on TV. And then it dawned on me. I’d missed someone off my list.
So much for meticulous planning. What was I going to do? It was too late to venture back out, and anything I ordered online wouldn’t be delivered in time.
There was nothing else for it but to get creative. I cast about the house and came across a beautifully packaged box of beauty products that someone had given me for my birthday. They were lovely, but I’d never used them as my skin was too sensitive. I could re-gift it! Thank God for generic presents after all.
Well, there’s nothing wrong with re-gifting, and I stand by that, but what I would say is always remember who gave you that gift in the first place. There’s nothing worse on Christmas Day than seeing your sister-in-law’s face drop as she unwraps the box of beauty products that she gave you for your birthday.
Sherry x
