Arts Ribbon

How To Give Great Gifts

Our wedding gifts were everything we expected. Literally. That’s because it was all stuff we registered for. I’m not saying it’s not a good idea to register for gifts. It’s prevented many ugly fruit bowls and multiples of something. (I remember my best friend’s wedding shower where she unwrapped an anodized cookware set, squealed with glee, then unwrapped another, and then one more. It was very awkward.)

So gift registries developed as a way to make sure you were giving the person something they actually wanted, and without worrying about getting something they already had. The problem is, that gift-giving has become too easy. We just go to the store, look at the list, pay for the item, and we’re done. There’s no thought put into it. Isn’t it the thought that counts?

The fact that gift-giving had become an empty act didn’t hit me until my new husband and I were putting away all the wedding gifts we had gotten. Bowls, pretty silver frames, cookware and bedding, they were all very nice. But my husband was obsessed with one gift. His cousin had gotten him an Alvarez acoustic guitar.

His cousin took the time and energy to get my husband something he really wanted. Something that was not on our registry. His cousin hates shopping, so the fact that he remembered something important to my husband as well as took that extra step to get it meant a lot. It was a kindness we both would remember always.

At that moment I also realized I was dying to get my hands on a gift my sister gave me. It was a box full of scrapbooking stuff. Beautiful scrapbooking papers, rubber stamps, pretty ribbon, paper punches, and so much more. I could not wait until I got all this other stuff put away so I could start creating scrapbook pages of our wedding photos.

This, of course, was not on our wedding registry. It was just something my sister knew I would enjoy. The point here is that it’s these gifts, the ones that are given from the heart, that we really remember. And honestly, if getting thoughtful gifts means a few extra diaper pails at my baby shower, I’m willing to take the risk.

So the next time you have to buy a gift for someone, give it some thought before you go shopping. Of course, if you do not know them well or you are not the best gift-giver to start with, maybe leaning on the registry is okay. But if you do have any sort of relationship with the person, try not to fall back on what they ask for. Try instead, to give them something they’ll remember forever.

Ribbon Art

World Cuisine A4982799 Tri-Blade Plastic Spiral Vegetable Slicer $35.95 Cut vegetables and fruits into noodles, or curly, paper-thin ribbons with this inexpensive yet robust slicer. We recommend the World Cuisine brand over others because it costs about half or less of the price of similar models, makes nicer noodles, is easy to use and clean, and can slice fairly large quantities quickly, and is quite sturdy. The popular Joyce Chen type slicers can only process small…

Wilton Clear Treat Bags – 50 Count $1.11 Once you’ve made candy or cookie lollipops it’s time to hand them out. You’ll need an easy and hygienic way to wrap them; may we suggest these clear plastic bags? Simply slip over the treat and use curling ribbon or some other fastening to tie them closed….

Wilton Fondant and Gum Paste Silicone Mold Fabric $6.30 There’s no better way to add color, dimension and excitement to a cake than with fondant or gum paste accents. With this mold, it’s easy to create detailed shapes in exciting Fabric designs ready to place on your cake!…

Stardust $5.61 No Description AvailableNo Track Information AvailableMedia Type: CDArtist: NELSON,WILLIETitle: STARDUSTStreet Release Date: 10/19/1999…

Marty Robbins – All-Time Greatest Hits $4.12 No Description AvailableNo Track Information AvailableMedia Type: CDArtist: ROBBINS,MARTYTitle: ALL-TIME GREATEST HITSStreet Release Date: 02/04/1992…

Stevie Wonder – Song Review: A Greatest Hits Collection $20.50 Thirty or so of Stevie Wonder’s biggest hits–many of them enduring classics–make up this double disc. That’s the good news. The bad news is that they’re sequenced here about as well (or maybe not) as your CD player’s “random” function might do it. Leading off with “Part-Time Lover”–a major chart record, no doubt, but hardly the rouser you’d expect for an opener–is puzzling enough. It’s wh…

Silk Ribbon Embroidery [VHS] $9.99 …

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Dragon Ball – Red Ribbon Army – White’s Last Stand (Edited) [VHS] $0.89 …

SE Pottery Tool – 8 Pc Set $5.09 Here is a perfect starter kit that has the most popular tools in a convenient vinyl pouch w/ zipper closure. This is a “must have” tool set for anyone beginning to work with clay or who knows someone that it. It is also perfect for studios and schools that want to offer a quality tool set to their students. The components are made from high quality steel and polished hardwoods. This ensures years …