Now bear with me, this is not a sponsored post. I'm not going to (yet again) extol the virtues of the onesie. But I am going to extol the virtues of gifts.
Even though the onesie was sent to me by a PR company, and even though I'm sure they did it so I could promote it on social media, it still made me feel special. Because they knew I love onesies and they went to the trouble of tracking me down and sending me one. And it worked. It made me feel super special. And it was a high point in a fairly crapstick day.
They say it is better to give than to receive, but it is pretty bloody awesome to receive. And it is especially nice to receive for no reason. Birthday presents are lovely, but a gift just because is the most meaningful present of all.
This year I have been on the receiving end of gifts, from friends who have known I'm having a rough year. Lana, for example, bought me a gorgeous little dress that she saw me admiring in a shop when we strolled by. It was only $250* but it meant so much to me that she bought it for me, and every time I wear it I think of her and feel good.
Gab the Wonder Babysitter also bought me a present - a little silver bracelet that she found online. This one was about $1100**, and if I didn't love it just because it was so cute, I love it because she gave it to me just because.
I've also received the odd gift (think jars of Nutella and 'Dear Fuckface' stationery***) from online friends who knew I needed a boost. My beautiful friend Kylie sent me flowers for no reason. And my mum buys me endless presents - from $8 Ugg boot rip offs to sparkly tops to slankies and hot water bottles and mugs - and they make me feel so cared for. They make me feel loved. Even the purple slanky. Especially the purple slanky.
Now, my point isn't to rave about how I love receiving gifts, or to solicit for more, because I have enough. My point is to remind myself and you about how happy we can make people with the smallest little gesture.
It's not about the gift, per se. It's not about the money. It's about showing people we love them and appreciate them just because. It's a meal or a chocolate bar or a pair of socks or a hairclip. It's a pen or a book or a tank top or a onesie (sorry, couldn't help it). Or it's a card or an email. It's saying 'I'm thinking of you. You're special to me. I love you. Just because.'
And I'm going to do it more. Because the people around me have been so good to me and I appreciate them. I appreciate you. I truly, truly do.
*okay, $20, it was on the Specials rack
**which is a total lie, I don't pay her that well
***BEST STATIONERY EVER
One of the most special things I have is a card from a girl in the USA. She sadly passed away last week. She was 33. She was my Twitter Daughter, and I was her Twitter Mum and i loved her with all my heart. We have been 'family' for almost 4 years. We had never met, but I was her 'person' and she was mine. I feel lost and empty without her. Since Jani passed away I have been frantically searching for a Christmas Card she sent me in 2011. It was not where I put it ... or where I thought I had put it. I have searched the house and yesterday I FOUND IT. It was ... with other Christmas Cards .. who would ever have thought that . sigh! I was so relieved I cried, I have cried more tears this last week than at any other time in my life. I now have that precious piece of her safe, and I can read her words thanking me for being her TM (twitter mum) and look at her handwriting any time I need to. A simple note means so very much, and this one means the absolute word to me.
ReplyDeleteI love her, I miss her but I have her close to me now.
So I can't interest you in signing this petition by Lachlan Harris of The Guardian UK to end the Onesies "fashion scourge"?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jul/11/anti-onesies-petition
Lovely post Kerri - 'just because' giving is so great. Our daughter's Mandarin teacher is the most generous person I know. She arrives for every lesson with something, some food item, or little present, and I know it is in the Chinese/Taiwanese culture, but she is just so special (makes me feel bad that I only reciprocate sometimes as I certainly don't want to up the giving ante, but it's a cultural thing and the best thing I can giver her is our gratitude).
ReplyDeleteSo true! Whenever I mention a book I have read and enjoyed, and someone from social media expressed an interest in it, I have sent it to them. On the proviso that when they are done, they pass it on.
ReplyDeleteIt feels nice.
It would be lovely if more people gave "just because" and even better if it was their time. It never happens to me but then my 50th birthday went unnoticed by half my family so a gift "just because" is always going to be unlikely. Lucky I gift to myself (and to others) "just because". That way I get to give and to receive :) Gave myself and the kids a trip overseas "just because" (well, it's a late 50th birthday present to me really)
ReplyDeleteKerri I simply must know - what's a slanky?
ReplyDeleteI was wondering the same thing!
ReplyDeleteGo the onesie and though it is lovely to give, a small gesture by someone can turn a blue day into yellow. :-) Yolanda
ReplyDeleteSO true x
ReplyDeleteHa! @Michelle and @rhonda hartman - A slanky is a blanket with sleeves. It's about the ugliest thing one can imagine, and also very difficult to move in. You wear it when you're on the couch watching TV so that you can still have your arms free to drink tea and change the channel!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry they didn't recognise your birthday! That SUCKS. Glad you spoiled yourself. You deserve it! xxxx
ReplyDeleteI didn't know you did that. That is SOOOO nice. I shall do the same! (Except ain't no-one getting my onesie!!!) xxxxxxx
ReplyDeleteOh! Isn't that divine. And I'm sure she gives for the love of it, and not because she expects anything in return x
ReplyDeleteNot. A. Chance.
ReplyDeleteOh Chris. What a sad story. I'm so glad you found the card. Sending love to you x
ReplyDeleteLove muchly appreciated, thank you <3 xo
ReplyDeleteYou've reminded me of a few things here. One I love receiving gifts. Two I used to give friends little gifts just because a lot and u know I'm gonna start doing it again. Three I have a slanky somewhere! Must dig it out! :-)
ReplyDeleteGifts for no reason are the BEST gifts. The nicest gifts I receive are the unexpected comment on a blog post or a surprise email from someone online just to say hi. They make my day.
ReplyDeleteGifts just because are totally the best. I think I need to give one to a friend today. Thanks for the inspiration Kerri :)
ReplyDeleteYou are SO welcome x
ReplyDeleteYes! I agree with that x
ReplyDeleteGO THE SLANKY
ReplyDeleteoohh, I understand. I've heard them called something else - I think a "snuggie" which is a much better name!
ReplyDeleteIt does suck but it's happened before so I'm at the shrug & ignore them stage. Tonight though, my holiday is in doubt as the ex is currently not signing the permission letter I need to take the kids out of the country. This I cannot shrug off :(
ReplyDeleteA work colleague bought me a Cherry Ripe yesterday, just because. It made me so happy!
ReplyDeleteYou SHOULD be happy. Cherry Ripes are THE BEST!
ReplyDeleteHi, I must live under a rock because I thought what the heck is a onsie. Then after reading your post I was stopped at a set of traffic lights and three thirteen year old girls dressed as a unicorn, pig and giraffe crossed the road in front of me. I asked my teenager what the heck are they wearing and got " Oh mum, they're wearing onsies". Lol. Love your blog. :)
ReplyDelete