The magic of giving.

 It's THAT time of year, women are out buying gifts for everyone, men are counting down the days until Christmas eve when they do their shopping! Only joking, my husband is way more organised than me when it comes to Christmas presents, although I have planned all the meals over the festive period and got the butchers order in! That's what I'm best at, because I am USELESS at buying presents!

In my opinion, there are three groups of people when it comes to choosing and giving presents, the FIRST are the epic present-buyers. They are naturals at it, there is always that one person in the family that you look forward to receiving their present, because they have never failed. Growing up my Auntie Judy was epic! I don't know how she did it, but her presents were always different, wonderful and absolutely so well chosen you couldn't have dreamed it.

My cousin Nicky has inherited this trait, my Mum is also an epic present-giver, but she does ask a lot about what I would want, and knows me so very well it would be difficult to mess it up. But Nicky definitely has the 'epic present' gene that Judy has.

My husband is in the EPIC category too, the things he comes up with, I have no idea where he finds his magical gifts, but they are always truly amazing and spot on. He gives me things that I didn't know I needed but can never live without now.

The SECOND category of present choosers and buyers are the middle of the road gang. They give nice, meaningful gifts, well chosen for your personality and hobbies, they don't get it wrong, but they don't hold the magic of the first lot, no one can touch them! I like to think I am in this category, the middlers, but when I was younger I never bought my family presents, they were given home-made presents, depending on what craft I was into at the time. There was the year of glass painting, then weird papier mache things, and the really badly embroidered handkerchiefs! My family really were lucky eh? But it's the thought that counts isn't it?

So, me being borderline THIRD category, although I do like to think I've improved slightly, the last one is the people who do think enough to buy you a gift, so we can't complain, but they give you weird things, things that don't match you or your interests at all. They give you running shoes when you can't run or hate it. They give you a tent when you prefer a hotel and have never been outdoors. You get the idea. One of my clients, and great friend, Steve has always given me random gifts, he visits the middle of Lidl and you get given whatever he comes up with at that time. I do look forward to his gifts because they are so strange! One year I was given a tape measure, another was a socket set, and then there was the year of the shelf brackets, that was epic! 

WHICH category do you think you are in, be honest! I've held my hands up at being rubbish, but it really is the thought that counts, that person has tried to give you something nice, at least you hope so, they may actually hate you, you never know.......but seriously, whatever you get your friends and family this year, make sure you give them kind words, a hug and a little extra of your time this Christmas.