About the emotions of gifts

During the holiday season, it’s no secret that people become better, both with themselves and with those around them. People prefer to give gifts rather than receive them, but this translates into gifts bought with the purpose of bringing immediate joy.

However, a survey from the UK, no older than a year, shows that over 42 million pounds go to the landfill annually from unwanted Christmas gifts. This is because, despite good intentions, people avoid asking their loved ones what they want or making a Christmas list that could be shared in advance.

At the same time that people receive what they don’t want, they seek emotion, joy, and perhaps a little more of Christmas magic that they want to feel as adults, but they expect their loved ones to guess their wishes.

We know, it’s not easy to give good gifts or create immediate joy.

What symbolic Christmas gifts can you give?

To show that you put both soul and a touch of something special into gifts for your loved ones, you can choose as gifts tickets to theater plays or opera, Christmas concerts, or tickets to a special exhibition, perhaps at the Museum of Recent Art or at Art Safari. Such an experience, even if it requires a specific visit date, doesn’t create additional waste, brings new knowledge and emotions, as well as access to a source of inspiration.

Additionally, if it proves to be an unwanted gift, it can be regifted with love and care.

Another type of symbolic gift that would generate a lot of emotion is a voucher for a special treatment, from massage to a relaxation ritual, sound therapy, aromatherapy, or an experience that would remain a lifelong memory – a wreath-making workshop, a pottery workshop, or a candle-making one.

What we mention we’ve tried are therapeutic hot stone massages, facial massages, and relaxation massages with aromatherapy, which we believe would delight even the most pragmatic among us.

Other gift ideas under 400 RON

A gift that can be both symbolic and useful is a digital photo frame on which you put favorite photos with the person you’re giving it to. It’s a memento that can be used in multiple ways, takes up little space, and brings closeness.

Also, we highly recommend giving gifts that last a long time and don’t generate additional waste. For example, a decorative pillow filled with recycled textiles from us is a thoughtful, useful, and sustainable gift. We can embroider it with a special message or with a Christmas tree, and linen is soft and good for the skin.

Another recommendation is to choose for women a silk scarf with prints from a Romanian illustrator – Mădălina Andronic is one of our favorites – or perhaps a phone case with illustrations.

We don’t forget our talented ceramicists who make everything from mugs to absolutely wonderful dish sets that can last generations and create a magical holiday atmosphere. We recommend Poemi or Atelier Lutfain.

Maybe you’re looking for brilliant gifts, but don’t forget that emotion lies in thoughtful things that don’t have to be extremely expensive. Candles are wonderful, and if you choose scented ones, go with Sana Candles, as they’re made here in Cluj, and if you prefer the smell of natural wax and honey, choose Mo Candles and you’ll love them.
We use alongside our 100% linen bedding, the colors from Mo Candles, because they’re natural, pastel, and go very well with our shades of yellow and neutrals.

Sustainable Christmas Gifts

Sustainable doesn’t just mean good for the planet. A sustainable gift can be something you already have and can be regifted with another purpose or functionality. For example, you can make from an old pillow and a sheet, a holiday bow that becomes spectacular decor. We teach you here how to make it.

Another sustainable gift can be choosing to give something from your talent. We know that sometimes time isn’t our friend and gifts seem easier to choose from shop windows, but if you have a poem in mind, a greeting card worth drawing, or perhaps even a tapestry that relaxes you at the end of a hard day, all can become a memory and a thoughtful gift.

If you still like to buy something, sustainable gifts are those that last long and are environmentally friendly. Everything you find on our website is made from 100% European linen, wool, recycled wool, or merino. A sustainable gift can be a soft blanket of merino wool, which keeps warm for generations, as well as an apron for grandma, who would be happy to see that quality is being produced again.

Other types of sustainable gifts that we’ve tried especially for little ones are non-toxic toys, like natural playdough, which can be easily made at home with salt and flour, ecologically painted wooden toys, or reusing scraps to make dollhouses and cribs.
For the friend who loves makeup, we recommend non-toxic variants found on Biotiful Brands or Jael Organics, and for the friend who’s always looking for hypoallergenic options, we clearly recommend a voucher with which she can purchase natural linen bedding.

How to wrap Christmas gifts originally?

Christmas gifts have impact when their presentation is also impactful. However, you can do this through a few tricks that add originality and sustainability to your gifts:

  1. Use natural kraft paper for the cleanest look
  2. Add either a red or white bow, or jute string, to have a well-groomed gift appearance
  3. Put a fir branch when tying the bow
  4. Draw or write the name of the person you’re giving to by hand, to be as personal as possible
  5. Delicately perfume the gift for an extra touch of personality

Another method of wrapping gifts originally is to wrap them in old fabrics that you can reuse, following a Japanese technique called Furoshiki that creates an absolutely spectacular note for any gift offered. You can see here how it’s done.

We wrap gifts in tissue paper, cardboard box, and put a poem printed on recycled paper. It’s a small gesture but one that leaves the understanding that what you receive is premium. You can also do this at any print shop, if you prepare in advance and choose a poem you like.

What do you do with received gifts you don’t like?

Yes, regifting can be seen as an impolite gesture by loved ones. Because someone tried to bring you joy and you didn’t feel joy. But in today’s world, when we have abundance in everything on one hand but many people who have nothing on the other, I think we can be wise.

During Christmas time, if you have things at home that you received but don’t know what to do with them, donating them or offering them to someone who needs them can be the most wonderful Christmas gesture. We recommend Aluziva Association for donations of clothes, food, toys, but there are many NGOs doing wonderful work.

So get past the first impression and do something good with what you already have.

Give your time – a gift that costs nothing

You can do a lot of good with what you already have and without spending money. It might sound strange, but alongside your partner, you can choose to work for an association or volunteer during the holidays.

This can be a gift both for those you choose to volunteer for and a gift for you and the person next to you, as you give yourselves the chance to do good together, observe each other in another context, and appreciate more the blessings you already have.

What do you want for Christmas?

Knowing what you want for Christmas and sharing it with friends is not a selfish act and certainly doesn’t cut into the magic. We lovingly recommend, just like when you were little, to make a list for Santa. This list can be on your phone or in drive and can be shared with your family and close friends.

This way, you’ll receive gifts that bring you joy, that you need, and that bring you the fulfillment of wishes. It works wonderfully and it doesn’t have to be a taboo subject to have a list for Santa.

And if you don’t know what you want, choose to do good for someone else. And that will build joy, self-esteem, and gratitude for what you already have.