Gifts!

June is just around the corner and I don’t know why,  but June makes me think of gifts.  So many birthdays, Fathers Day, Flag Day and Weddings on the docket ... it seems like a good time to put some thought into gift giving.

Unlike Christmas, special occasions like birthdays give us an opportunity that the hustle and bustle of the winter holiday does not.  It allows us the luxury of time to individually consider the recipient and ponder their perfect gift.  Sometimes a special card or bottle of wine is a superb choice, but then there are times when the gift must come from the heart. 

A friend of mine forwarded me an article full of tips from Phoebe Cates  (you may remember her from the old 80’s TV program, “Fast Times at Ridgemont High”).  Apparently, after she retired from Tinseltown, she opened a little gift shop in New York City and has become well known for her ability to select that just right terrific gift for all kinds of people.

Here are some of the highlights from the article along with my own interpretation and side notes!

Phoebe:  “Gifts should be given out of a genuine desire to bring happiness and benefit the recipient ... - Don't push your own agenda - but focus on their habits and what is important in their life”.

My Interpretation:  What do you think of when you think of your person.  What do they like, what do they do and what would add a little sparkle to their day.

Phoebe:  “Be  Practical.  Many people think gifts need to be luxurious and extravagant.  Cates said practical gifts did just as well sometimes.”

My Interpretation: Don’t think you ALWAYS have to give the PERFECT gift.  That’s a lot of pressure.  If you are just stumped about what to give, consider something that is simply useful.  When I’m in that situation, I like to give lamps! They brighten up my persons day every single time!

Phoebe: “Unique gifts can be found if people think creatively about where they shop ...  “You’d be surprised how inspired you’ll be when you go into a different store than the one you normally go to for gifts.” 

 My Interpretation:  Sometimes a shiny new expensive gift isn’t the answer.  An “experienced” gift, whether it be from your own collection or a one of a kind little something that you found in the shop around the corner, (in other words ... a shop called Echo Home Furnishings) can be fresh and fun and meaningful.  

Here is a little gift for you, my friend Laura ... Happy Birthday!