The Role of Gifting in Building Professional Relationships My Boundaries
I remember the first time I totally misread a professional gift-giving situation. It was my third month at the nonprofit, and I’d gotten my supervisor this gorgeous, hand-painted ceramic mug from a local artist for her birthday. Nothing extravagant—about $30—but definitely more personal than what anyone else had brought. I’d wrapped it beautifully (because of […]
How Ive Used Gifts to Create Safe Spaces for Vulnerability
I was sixteen when my grandma Rose was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer. The entire family was devastated, but no one knew quite how to talk about it. Death and serious illness weren’t exactly common dinner table conversations in our household. One afternoon, about two weeks after her diagnosis, I was wandering through a […]
When Objects Tell Stories The Narrative Power of Meaningful Gifts
I didn’t actually set out to become a collector of stories—it just sort of happened. Like most accidental talents, it crept up on me gradually until one day my friend Dana pointed it out while helping me move apartments. She was unpacking this antique fountain pen I’d found at a tiny shop in Providence. “Why […]
Breaking Down My Gift Budget Where I Spend and Where I Save
I’ve always been a bit of a numbers gal when it comes to gift-giving, which usually surprises people. “But Olivia,” they’ll say, “I thought gift-giving was supposed to be this magical, spontaneous thing that comes from the heart!” Well, yes… and no. The heart part? Absolutely essential. But the spontaneous bit? That’s where we part […]
Gift Exchange Games That Actually Work Field-Tested Group Activities
I still remember the look on my brother-in-law’s face when he unwrapped a toilet plunger at our family Christmas exchange. The plunger – festively adorned with a red bow, I might add – was my sister’s contribution to our “Something You Need But Would Never Buy For Yourself” exchange theme. Poor Mark turned approximately seven […]
The Power of the Partially Homemade Gift Finding the Sweet Spot
I discovered my sweet spot for gift-giving during the Great Christmas Meltdown of 2018. Picture this: me, surrounded by craft supplies at 1 AM, three days before Christmas, hot glue gun in one hand, half-finished homemade ornaments everywhere, tears streaming down my face. I’d bitten off more than I could chew, attempting to make personalized […]
How I Adapted Gift-Giving During Financial Hardship
I never thought I’d be the person struggling to buy presents. Gift-giving has been my thing since, well, forever. You know how some people are naturally good at sports or can play piano by ear? I’ve always had this weird knack for finding the perfect gift. My friends literally have me on speed dial for […]
When I Learned to Give Without Expectation The Liberation of One-Way Giving
I used to think I had the whole gift-giving thing figured out. After all, I’d been obsessively cataloging people’s preferences since I was old enough to wield scissors and tape. That Presidential Rock Incident of ’98 (long story, ask me later) launched me into a lifelong mission of finding the perfect present for every person […]
Intergenerational Gift Wisdom What Grandparents Taught Me About Giving
I was seven when my grandmother taught me the first rule of gift-giving. We were sitting at her kitchen table, surrounded by scraps of wrapping paper, ribbons curling around our fingers like little snakes. I was struggling to wrap a birthday present for my cousin Mia—a dolphin charm bracelet I’d spent weeks saving up for. […]
Gifts That Honor the Recipients Culture When It Differs From Mine
I’ll never forget the moment I realized gift-giving across cultures was way more complicated than I’d imagined. Jake and I had been invited to his colleague Mei’s traditional Chinese wedding banquet, and I spent weeks researching appropriate gifts. I settled on a beautifully crafted set of crystal wine glasses that screamed “elegant wedding present” to […]