Heart Gift from a Giver
I really want to start this post with….”Once Upon A Time.” Because it began MANY years ago. When a true giver, (you know the one who took the personality or gifting test and it came up with that description), began giving gifts. Heart gifts.
Now, I am not new to heart gifts. At all seasons of our life, my family, whether richer or poorer, chose to do heart gifts. My husband and I began that early in our married days. You’ll read about many of them here. Where the price tag doesn’t matter. It’s usually not a huge financial investment.
The gift simply tugs on the heart.
I knew if I posted this during the holiday season that somehow in the hustle and bustle and time sucking season…it would get lost. You see, I am not a “giver” according to the test. I am a “server”. All my life. Hence, the food deliveries that many of you can attest to.
And this was just simply a too important bit of table talk to get lost.
But, you see, friends, there is much more to gift creating to me.
Bear with me. Let me explain.
You see, we have an “adopted” daughter of sorts.
She has loads of family, but both parents are no longer with us. Even before they departed, her career moved her close to us, away from them; and perhaps, a bit of input, of heart conversations, and life shared were needed.
We recently pulled up home videos. And there she was. That sweet “daughter to us”. Giving gifts. Heart gifts. Lavishly bestowing gifts that evoked thought. Gifts that spoke directly to the inner parts of the heart. Some had delayed reactions. Others continued to just keep giving.
Some were in full display…
While, there were others that were tucked away and then when found, caused tears and joy all over again.
We just celebrated birthdays here, with Mother’s Day arriving soon. Gifts and giving on our minds.
More birthdays to come. Then there are graduations, Father’s Day, retirements, weddings, and then anniversaries mixed along the way.
As you prepare to give in the coming months, I challenge you to think thoughtfully. As this sweet giver.
With thoughtful intention.
About what would tug on their heart. Bring more joy. Not necessarily challenge the purse strings.
It doesn’t have to be “homemade”. Consider putting together a grouping of things that remind you of them. I shared when my sister did that in a post before Christmas.
Her daughter, my niece, is the most precious of gift givers. She’s teaching her little ones well, too.
I have received gifts that always pull on my heart from her. Things like a book of her wedding memories to a sweet embroidered hoop to this year’s Christmas of an antique bowl with tulips that bloomed that was the centerpiece in the garden room post. I think I’ll have to save those bulbs and plant so that they are a constant reminder of her.
My husband is the king of heart gifts.
One year he simply made me a slide show (back in the days of slide shows!) of our boys set to heart tugging music. BEST GIFT EVER! I cried all of the way through it. It took my breath away!
You’ll have to keep watching to see the Mother’s Day heart gift from him….so excited to soon be sharing that!
He passed that heart gift thing on to our sons.
Even when my youngest was little, he was intent on gift giving. For Christmas when he was in the first grade, he bought me the tiniest nativity that is still one of my favorite gifts of all times.
Their wives can give great gifts, too. A canvas with tiny handprints comes out each spring as a sweet reminder. Muffin tins, a mixer, hydrangea blooming and blankets and trays all remind me of them when I reach for them.
My oldest is genius at gift giving. When he asked what we would like for Christmas one year, my husband simply said to him…create something that speaks to how you see us.
The most amazing gifts arrived. Creatively designed that makes me cry each time I read them. Framed works of art that spoke about each of us.
Mine was titled…WHO ARE YOU, MY DEAR MOTHER?
The sweetest description of me typed in a tiny circle with a mustard seed in the center and mustard seeds loose in the bottom of the frame. Highlighted among the wording was “You are a gardener of people”.
His Dad’s was titled…WHO ARE YOU, MY DEAR DAD?
An amazing tiny print writing about his view of his Dad was inside that print…with a magnifying glass highlighted and a magnifying glass included to read it.
For what holiday are you preparing a gift to give?
Be it Mother’s Day–maybe birthdays–perhaps Father’s Day, graduations, anniversaries or even retirement?…think outside the box.
I’m adding more ideas to help get your creativity and thoughtful ideas flowing…you see…in all of these…they require touch. My husband always asks for things from others that as he uses them, it reminds him of the giver. He’s a truly heartfelt guy. Meaning, thought and intention are important to him. As you make selections…does that resonate with you?
Each time I look at my logo, I am reminded of that creator, and it brings joy to my heart.
The list is endless.
Each time I use them, I am blessed.
As I pour from a pitcher, I think of the giver. I have an antique pitcher that is so old that I rarely use it. But, it’s special and reminds me of my great grandmother. Do you have a family heirloom to be gifted to someone?
A journal or a book? Perhaps, writing in a book that was gifted, is a reminder with each writing?
That tray? With each use, a remembrance.
For a sweet birthday gift, one of my friend’s Mom created a gift for her granddaughter of a box with many sides. When each side was folded down, a photo was displayed and on the other side were handwritten notes to that granddaughter. I was in awe. A keepsake that spoke volumes to that little girl from that grandmother. Those are now added to my list of heart gifts for special little ones in my life.
Think about the person receiving the gift.
Curate something that speaks their love language. It’s truly not hard. It can be purchased and heartfelt.
Heartfelt gifts are always my plan; but, occasionally it is handmade.
One summer, a sweet great niece found something for me to make for her…it was done! A Paper doll blanket created on a quilt was designed with clothing to add on. That led to a total of 7 of them made for great nieces and granddaughters and a friend’s ganddaughters.
Some of my friends have received containers of those zinnia seeds, or herbs or s’mores made with those marshmallows. Even that nursery was a gift curated for that sweet friend. I love to create gifts for friends near and far. Even plants, such as chocolate mint, are often a gift that keeps on giving.
You see, gift giving just is a second nature to me.
I have even had a gift wrapping room, because the presentation of the gift is also of great importance to me, like those sugar cookies at Christmas. Or the jars of jam that have been gifted again and again. Or even those hot cocoa stirs at Valentine’s Day that were gifted to friends.
I know many of you simply buy gift cards and I have enjoyed those when I am the recipient. I then think of the giver when I use the item(s) I have purchased with those.
How am I doing in helping out your gift giving? Inspiring you to create the best ideas?
I have included a few items to get you started on your way to creatively gift. And as an Amazon affiliate, the blog may benefit, at no additional cost to you. Isn’t that genius? I help you shop and you help me on my journey of sharing! You may see my disclosure policy here
Here’s a few Mother’s Day ideas:
Things that will make her think of you as she uses them…
Now there are TWO mixers that I have in my life. The Ankarsrum is the one that was gifted to me for Christmas by the kids one year. This one is the workhorse with a motor on the base that allows me to mix several batches of bread at a time.
The KitchenAid mixer was one gift that I use for many recipes. The basic for every kitchen.
Perennial plants are a favorite that come back each year and continue to bring joy…
Even a simple journal that perhaps you write a special note in? or just using will remind her of you each time she writes. This one is refillable…so it will continue to be added to and used. How wonderful.
As I began to prepare to share this with all of you, another reason for giving arose.
A dear friend of ours had a relapse from remission from an aggressive form of cancer. Each time we visited, I took food or something that I thought might bless him and his wife.
He lost that battle this week.
As I finish this post, tears are flowing and my heart is heavy.
In thinking about how to give in the time of loss, we often give food or send plants or cards for remembrance.
Today, I knew that a special perennial that would bloom and give flowers back to her at this time each year was the answer. A beautiful reminder of a celebration of life that will continue to give joy each year. That’s what was on my heart.
So, may I challenge you friends? Think like a giver for that gift.
Curate a gift that speaks boldly of them. Whether handmade or purchased, it speaks to the heart.
Heart gifts. That tug on the heart for who receives it.
And then, please, will you share what it means to you both?
39 Comments
Jen
Leslie, this is beautiful. I’m a terrible gift giver because I’m a terrible overthinker and I’m a professional organizer who doesn’t want to give someone a gift they don’t need or wouldn’t use. However, I love your approach to heart gifts. It’s so pure and intentional and meaningful and shows the depth of relationship you have with those around you. Thanks for sharing.
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you, Jen. I think we all gift so differently and I get it. So much more to share on that topic, right? I get that navigating through what they would use and need. Sometimes that’s a hard one for those we don’t see often. I appreciate your comments so much and am thankful you are here.
Sweetie
I love heart gifts. Gifts that say someone really knows us…one of mine was a friend who sent me an entire box of black felt tip pens, which she has seen me use for 15 years, but usually curated 1-2 at a time. She sent an entire 12 pack of them knowing that I write with them daily. It was an extravagance I do not do for myself, but it was as if she was saying “girl write…write as far as you can….as long as you can” a treasured gift.
When a beloved died at 15, a tree was given to us a year later, friends planted it where he loved to be…tended it for a year to solidify it where they chose to put it, then brought us to see it a year later…oh how meaningful that was…and later a bench was added in his remembrance. Such a heart thing for us every time we visit our old home town.
Presence in others lives is such a privilege. Heart gifts remind us of our blessings.
~ Sweetie!
Leslie J Watkins
Oh, Sweetie! How true. Extravagance just demonstrates her care for you, her belief in your potential and talent. Precious. Remembrances are always the best. And yes, how true that heart gifts do remind us of our blessings. I am one blessed girl. Thank you for being a presence in my life. I treasure it.
Lynn Vogeler
Such a sweet post Leslie! I try really hard to be very thoughtful about gift giving but in the hustle and bustle of life, I don’t always succeed.
I also try to make my wrapping as special as my gift. Just a sweet added touch.
I love that your family is so thoughtful with their gifting. You deserve every precious thing they give to you.
I’m so sorry about your friend. I will say a prayer for peace for you and his family tonight!
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you, Lynn, for your prayers. A beautiful, but difficult send off for our friend. Thank you for your sweet thoughts of my family. They are truly special and I am blessed.
Happy Mother’s Day, friend!
Marie
I’m sorry to hear you lost a friend. Nice that his wife has a good friend like you. Gifting a plant is always special when it can be planted and bloom again.
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you, Marie. Tomorrow is the funeral and we will celebrate his life. I hope that I can help her celebrate him for years to come.
Tammy
Oh Leslie, what a beautiful post. I would love the link to take that test. Pretty sure, I am a gift giver. I pick up little things through the year when something reminds me of someone.
For me, I love “just because” gifts. The kind that are not for any special occasion. I love to give “just because” gifts. My new neighborhood, two of my neighbors are like this too. Last weekend, I got candle melts for no reason. My neighbor knew I would like it and picked some up for me. I love these type of gifts.
I try hard in my gift giving to put my thoughts Nand heart into the gift. Leslie, this was the best post!
Leslie J Watkins
Oh, the just because gifts are the best. Tonight, we went to celebrate Mother’s Day in a special favorite restaurant. They were slammed. But, this one little girl was doing a phenomenal job of bussing tables with care and precision. We had a long wait and I told my husband we needed to bless her, just because. What an honor to bless her with a gift. I could tell by her countenance that that affirmation of her work ethic was unexpected. Made my entire day! We just have to look for those “just because” opportunities. So glad that you are a friend who loves those opportunities, too. Happy Mother’s Day!
Paula@SweetPea
I so much enjoyed reading about the thoughtful gifts that you have given and received throughout the years. I truly enjoy thoughtfully picking out gifts for friends and family. I get way more pleasure out of giving rather than receiving. I hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day!
Leslie J Watkins
I am so thankful that you enjoyed the post. I get more pleasure in giving that receiving, too! I hope that your day today has been a wonderful day!
Vickie Ramey
I, too, am a “server”, not a “giver” so gifts are very hard for me. I always want to give something that can be “used”. But my home is decorated with what I refer to as “give me’s”. Oil painting from a friend who’s baby’s room I painted; goose and ostrich egg from you and Gary; teapot from a friend from England–you get the picture. These are things that remind me of that person. Heart gifts. Thanks for reminding me to try to use my heart and not my head!
Leslie J Watkins
Oh, you are so much better at it than you think! The things you gave me as you moved are treasured. That beautiful hallway cabinet reminds me of you each time I pass. I am always blessed by you…and the biggest heart gift from you? Your hospitality of opening your home to our visits year after year on that Gulf coast. Treasured memories you created! More memories to make, I am sure!
Cindy
This is suc a beautiful post, it had me tearing because these are blessed gifts and people in your life. I often enjoy making a gift for loved ones that I blieve will truly bring them joy for years to come. The thought process is so important for people we cherish and love. Money is money and buying something that is truly thoughtful is the way to go too.
I’m sorry about losing your dear friend. I enjoyed this post so very much!
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you, Cindy. Creating memories is the best, right? Thank you for your condolences. It was a beautiful send off service for our friend.
elizabeth@pineconesandacorns
Leslie, this is a beautiful post. Heart gifts are the most beautiful gifts one cane bestow on another and it doesn’t matter the cost, it could be as simple as a dandelion. Thank you for sharing your beautiful gifts and memories.
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you, friend. Intentional thought is all that is required, isn’t it? My husband says we are either creating memories or telling them! How true.
Jennifer
Yes! This is so good! I love giving and receiving heart gifts! That paper doll quilt is the sweetest!
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you, Jennifer. Those paper doll quilts were a true labor of love. I had help from a friend creating the size doll that would fit through my scan and cut…but, those clothes…I had to wing it! Loved the creation of all of those clothes! Everything from swimsuits, ballet leotards and skirts, riding boots and outfits, pj’s, cheerleader outfits, party dresses, shoes, bows, hats…oh, so much fun!
Alison
You had me crying by the 2nd paragraph. Love you
Leslie J Watkins
How could I write heart gifts without including you? You have always taken heart gifts to the next level. That’s one of your super powers. Never forget that! Happy Mother’s Day!
Carol Karl
I enjoyed reading your post. I love giving gifts too – it’s my language of love. If you haven’t read the five languages of love, I highly recommend it.
Leslie J Watkins
Oh, Carol! Thank you…I love the 5 love languages book. So much truth! Happy Mother’s Day!
Dorothy Ensz
This is a heartwarming post. I haven’t met you in person, but your gifts of heart shine through in so many ways. Thanks for being you!
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you, Dorothy. You are so very kind! Maybe one day we will meet!
Melba
What a beautiful post, it brought so many memories! I remember my Grandmother gifting me this beautil gold pendant with Virgin Mary. This meant so much to me because she held this close to her heart. When my brother passed, I gifted the same pendant to my Sister in Law, who it is truly my only sister. The love keeps on giving.
Leslie J Watkins
What a beautiful gift to receive and give away. I love your story. Thank you so much for sharing it with me!
Linda
Just the best! Heart gifts! ❤️
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you. I just love heart gifts! Giving with intention…the best!
Jennifer Williams
So touching. You remind me of my father. He was the best at giving gifts. Not only were they heart felt, he could present a gift better than anyone I have ever known. And, the joy he got from watching our expressions was so amazing.
Leslie J Watkins
What a legacy and a joy to experience a father like that. I feel like I am on the sidelines watching him “gift” with joy. Hold close to those sweet memories. And thank you for the sweet compliment that I remind you of him. What an honor.
Kim
What a beautiful post and one I can totally relate to. I love giving gifts and I always try to put a lot of thought into them and the person. My kids and husband are the same. We do mainly experiences or handmade around here. Those are truly the best in my book. And I’m sorry to hear about your friend, sending thoughts of comfort your way.
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you, Kim. I love the experiences and handmade, too. I often look for experiencesthat they will love. Handmade always touch my heart.
Jayne
Such a lovely post Leslie! I love to give heart gifts because the best thing for me is seeing their face when they open them with that look that says “How did you know” – observation, that’s how!
Leslie J Watkins
Oh, that’s the BEST, Jayne! It’s amazing when that happens! Thanks for joining me here!
CoCo
Heart gifts are the best gifts, Leslie! Love that your family celebrates and honors each other in this way. It’s such a testament to how much you care for one another. I can’t wait to incorporate some of these ideas in my gift-giving too! Hugs and hope your Mother’s Day was a blessed one, CoCo
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