Emma is starting to see the sense in good socks as the wisdom of giving useful gifts, rather than the pricey, is brought home

WHATEVER about it being a most wonderful time of the year, it’s a most flipping expensive time of the year. There’s no getting away from the fact that from here until Christmas Day as the fella says, you’d want to be printing it! I love to give, so around about now I always start to get really frazzled and stressed out at the fact that I can’t afford to give my nearest and dearest knock-out Christmas gifts like a new couch, or a week’s holiday in a five-star Caribbean resort. 

Instead, my budget only stretches to things like a scented room diffuser or a photo frame. Basic, that’s me. I was starting to do my usual pre-festive spiral when I heard some expert (actually it could have been my mum) asking if anyone even remembered what presents they got last year. 

The point being that we rarely do (unless it’s a sofa obviously, or that luxury holiday), so we should all just calm the flip down and think ‘presence’ rather than ‘presents’. Ah…now isn’t that a lot better? 

Great advice aside, I have to admit my mind is still a little bit busy, the mental equivalent of having lots of tabs open on the computer. And I hate to say it but I do actually remember what presents I got last year, specifically one of them. My husband went ‘off list’ (and there were lots of ideas to work with there) and presented me with a pair of all-singing, all-dancing headphones on Christmas morning. I was speechless. It had never come up in conversation; I’m one of those unusual people who doesn’t listen to podcasts and enjoys silence, and I rarely if ever have to go on Zoom so it was something of brave choice. We can laugh about it now. Well, chuckle. A bit. At the time it was more like radio silence. 

In general though, as adults we don’t remember who gave what, so rather than getting yourself in a tizzy, or worse still, in debt, my advice it to keep things simple when gift buying. The approach should be to elevate the everyday, rather than over complicate things. 

In my opinion there’s absolutely nothing wrong with gifting someone something as traditional as a pair of socks, so long as they’re a really great pair. Or something obvious like a candle or any type of room scent, if it’s a really nice one. If the receiver enjoys coffee, why not get some top-notch beans? If they love gardening, a pair of great outdoor gloves or a kneeler, and if they do a lot of driving, a sturdy flask and lunch box. 

As you might have guessed, I’ve become very practical in my middle-age. I can’t abide stuff without a purpose. Further evidence, if needed, into how odd I am is that a lot of the time when I get a gift, my first reaction is: oh god, where am I going to put that? I’m not ungrateful, it’s just that I don’t need any more clutter in my life. 

Some of the most memorable gifts I’ve gotten in my life have been the most practical, including a pair of woollen, fingerless gloves my sister got me around 20 years ago. I had to get up at an ungodly hour for a job I had then and those gloves got me through so many dark winter mornings. I don’t how, but a few years ago I lost them and I still miss them so much. Then last year she gave me bolster pillows which instantly transformed our bed into something quite hotel-like and bring me joy every morning. It really can be that simple. 

Other simple wins for me are a nice notebook (think of all those lists that need to be made!), a quality body lotion, or a fancy salt cellar, or butter dish. Personally, I adore photographs and think it’s a super idea to print out snaps and put them in album for someone. Everyone is time poor and it’s a job that often gets put on the long finger. Or compile a playlist for someone on their Alexa: that says pure love in my book. And for those who spend hours on the sidelines, how about a pocket sized hot water bottle? That’s going to spark a lot of joy. 

I’m also a fan of gift vouchers but only for services you already use, or places you already go to, for example your hairdresser or beauty salon, your gardener, or your window cleaner. I have a bunch of random vouchers that I’ve been gifted over the years and without sounding ungrateful, I get so stressed thinking about them and how and when I’m going to use them before they expire. Again, keep it simple. 

For those in my life wondering what to get me, here’s some ideas for starters: I’m short of spatulas and hand on heart I would not be upset to see some in my Christmas stocking. My frying pan is also getting a
bit sticky if anyone wants to push the boat out, and it would also be an act of charity if Santa brought some new bed linen, as I’m only fooling myself when I say I’ll sew back all the missing buttons on the quilt cover and it drives me bonkers the way it gets all bunched up. Dare I say it: I’m low on tea towels too. Maybe some cute ones with dogs on them? 

Finally, and slightly controversial: I’m not a fan of hampers. Once you get over the initial dopamine hit, it’s usually just random chutneys and relishes. Am I wrong? 

The way the cost of living is going, a few groceries would be a far better gift. Who wouldn’t want a few pounds of butter and washing powder, or a donation towards the Christmas energy bill?  And of course, it goes without saying  that we should all buy local as much as possible, and never, ever write on the gift bag tags so we can re-use them next year. Happy shopping and remember, keep all the receipts to be on the safe side.