Recently, I asked my readers about the most meaningful gifts they’d ever received. Here are their responses. At the end, I share some of the most meaningful gifts I’ve ever given and received! Plus! Be sure to scroll to the end to see more special gift ideas you can give in time for Christmas!
Best Gifts My Readers Have Received
“I have some beautiful cards from my mom. One came with a gem store that I’m supposed to hold when I need to remind myself to be brave. It’s one of my very favorites and sits on my nightstand.” – @lauraerinhome
“I made a board book from Artifact Uprising for my daughter’s first birthday, and she absolutely loves it! It features all of our family members and she loves flipping through and seeing their pictures in a book!” – @lifeinamason_jar
“I’d say my Le Papier Studio necklace with the silouette of our pup Oscar is one of my most meaningful gifts I’ve received!” – @simplyjessicamarie
“My dog in kindergarten! The sweetest pup!” – @kristensheffey
“I really do treasure the ornaments we buy for one another every year. Brings back memories from trips, events, or what each of us were obsessed with that year! – @williamgraceusa
“I think my favorite gift ever was when my grandmother’s Christmas china was passed down to me! I love using it and remembering her!” – @marycatherinestudio_
“I think everything that my nieces make are my most meaningful gifts! They are the most thoughtful little ones!” – @wearbowsandasmile
“I’m writing a letter to my grandfather to open the first of each month with memories, and love. I’m excited because he needs nothing but is alone in a nursing home and this will be something he can look forward to.” – @tnts_bnbs
“My husband is the best at giving meaningful gifts year round–he is just always listening and paying attention and grabs little things to try and make things easier for me or that he thinks will brighten my day. I also love a necklace I have from my parents with my children’s initials on them.” – @katyneelyart
“Probably something monogrammed because it’s personal and someone took the time to find it!” – @lostorchidinteriors
“Handmade things from my children and Christmas ornaments from my mother.” – My mom, her shop is @suzanneslittlecloset
“My husband loves handmade gifts. I’ve never crocheted before, but I’m teaching myself and making him some mittens!” – @thissplendidstruggle
Best Gifts I’ve Received
The earliest memory I have of a special Christmas gift was when my mom made a wooden Barbie dollhouse for me. I believe it was a kit that she put together, and painted! It was the most beautiful thing, and I played with it for years! I thought it was from Santa, but years later, when I learned my mom and dad are Santa, it was even more special.
One of the best Christmases was when my mom and dad surprised my older sister with a puppy on Christmas day! It was so much fun because they let me be a part of it! They woke me up first, and I had no idea they were going to do this, and we brought the puppy into my sister’s room and woke her up with puppy kisses! We named her Holly, and it was so much fun loving that sweet girl throughout my childhood.
As an adult, and after my maternal grandmother passed away, and my paternal grandmother moved to assisted living, my mom started gifting me and my sisters treasures from their home collections: chinoiserie, a trinket box, pieces of antique silver and silver place settings, china, cookbooks, art, and jewelry.
When I bought my first home, my mom began giving me a silver keepsake ornament every year. She also gives one to my daughter and son, and I love having this special collection that I add to each year. I really love that my kids will have their own collections already started once they have a home of their own.
One of my neighbors is an artist. She painted a vignette of one of the windows of our house, and it was juried into the American Impressionist Society National Exhibition. The entry to this exhibit is competitive, and it’s a huge honor. My husband surprised me for an anniversary gift by purchasing the painting. I cried.
My husband surprises me sometimes with his timelines of his gift giving. When I had my son, he brought me a “push present” to the hospital. It was a set of pearl earrings. They are by far my favorite thing I wear. I was not expecting a gift, and it just was so sweet. I love wearing them and thinking about that special moment in our lives and marriage.
Best Gift I’ve Given
I’m not always the best gift giver, but sometimes, I get it right. It’s the best feeling to give a gift that someone absolutely treasures. There’s one in particular that stands out.
Last year, I gifted my dad a subscription to StoryWorth. Basically, he receives an email each week with a question asking about his life, and he replies to the email. You can attach photos too. Then each “subscriber” in the family gets an email with his response. We have asked him questions like “How did you and my mom meet?” and “What were your parents like growing up?” and “What was I like as a child in your eyes?” and “What is the best piece of advice that you want to pass along to us?”
After a year, StoryWorth will compile all of his stories into a hardbound book, photos included! It’s a way that me and my siblings have gotten to get to know him in a deeper way as adults, and he gets to leave his legacy in words that will be passed down for generations to come. My dad has so many incredible experiences from his life, and it has been so fun reading his responses!
More Very Special Gift Ideas
- Custom Family Crest Design by Simply Jessica Marie – Gift this to your mom or sister, then use this on gifts later on like tea towels, art, etc.
- Custom Watercolor House Portrait by Laurie Katherine Art
- Framed Wedding Vows
- Custom Silhouette of Their Child
- Custom Pet Portrait
- Custom Puzzle of Their Pet
- Interior Design Services for Their First Home from Ballard Designs, One King’s Lane, or Pottery Barn
- Gift Card to Furnish Their First Home from Ballard Designs, Pottery Barn, or One King’s Lane
- One of these perfect Housewarming Gifts!
- Skymiles for Their Next Exciting Trip
- Hotel Gift Card for their Next Exciting Trip
- Do they have a trip planned? Surprise them when they arrive with a room upgrade, spa package, or bottle of champagne upon arrival!
Find me on Instagram (@chapplechandler) and tell me the best gift you’ve ever received or given!
