Gifting During a Pandemic *Ad Gifted

The last year or so has been difficult for everyone and gift giving is something we can do during this time to lift one another up. Be it a birthday, mothers day, a congratulations or even just a pick me up- gift giving is a special thing and today I thought I'd mention a couple of things I've found that I think will inspire you!

Jewellery Gifts

Not being able to meet our loved ones in person can be very hard and with special occasions awry it's time to think outside the box, or rather inside in this case! It's been my mother's 60th birthday and my sister's 30th so I wanted to get them something special and sentimental for their birthdays. My mother's birth stone is opal so I had a ring made with her birthstone in the middle and mine and my sisters either side by the very talented Willow Rise Jewellery. It's also lovely to support small businesses at this time and my mum was so overjoyed she cried bless her!

Engraved Gifts

For my sister's gift I went to Engravers Guild of London and had a personalised Swarovski Birthstone Heart Necklace* made.

It's solid 925 sterling silver so I know it will last the test of time and is a classic design which will never go out of style. The engraving comes in an array of fonts and the Swarovski birthstone adds a lovely personal touch to this necklace. 

Engravers Guild of London do lots of personalised gifts for him too so you're covered for all occasions and all recipients. I am very tempted to get the Marmite lid for the husband!!

Subscription boxes

Subscription boxes are a brilliant way to give the gift that keeps on giving! I recently signed up to Papergang as a gift to myself because who said gift giving is exclusively for others right? Treat yo self! I went for this subscription as I'm a stationary junkie and love nothing more than pretty paper inspired pieces. 

The February box was particularly dreamy, including this gorgeous wrapping paper that I've used as a back drop for my photos, a note pad, pen, scissors, ruler and some origami paper too! Paper subscriptions won't be for everyone but there are so many different ones on the market. From beer and wine, beauty boxes, pet boxes and more; there's a box for everyone. The joy you feel when your subscription box comes through the door is such a treat and will brighten up anyone's day!

A good old fashioned letter and/or letter paper!

Letter writing has seen a real increase during the pandemic and I'm not surprised. As an avid pen paller myself, there's nothing like receiving a lovely letter through the front door. Whether you're giving the gift of a letter itself or gifting letter paper to someone who enjoys writing letters, there are so many beautiful papers on the market. 

I recently set up my own Etsy shop selling the papers photographed above! It's called Par Avion Paper and I've seen people buying paper for their grandparents to write to them and sending it as gifts to those on hospital wards. 

It's something a bit different to your usual present and the gift of a handwritten letter is something quite special. Whether you're buying the paper as a gift or buying it to write a heart felt letter, writing paper is certainly special!

So those are just a few ideas on gifting during a pandemic. They won't be for everyone and of course there are plenty of other ideas out there but these are the ones I've reached for to gift others and myself during this time!

How are you gifting during the pandemic?

* I was kindly gifted the engraved necklace from Engravers Guild of London in exchange for a write up in my blog post.