We recently read about this real gifting dilemma and it got us thinking...
One person asked whether buying their four-year-old cousin an electric toothbrush for her birthday was thoughtful...or whether they'd accidentally become the cousin who gave chores as a present. It sounds kind of funny, but underneath it is something almost all of us have worried about at some point.
"Am I giving them something they'll love...or something that sends the wrong message?"
The Gift Isn't Really the Gift
On the surface, it's a toothbrush, but what the cousin was really trying to give was something else. She'd noticed bedtime had become a battle and wanted to make brushing teeth exciting. She wanted to help, that's not gifting a toothbrush; that's gifting care.
The 'dental' story resonated with me...stay with me!
Many years ago, I was given a water flosser for my birthday….my first reaction? "A water flosser? Oh umm?" For a split second I wondered if they thought there was something wrong with my teeth, then I read the card.
It simply said that they loved seeing me smile, we worked together at the time, and they said my smile made their day, that tiny message completely changed what the gift meant.
Nearly eighteen years later, I still remember that card and I still smile whenever I think about it.
The water flosser became something far bigger than dental hygiene. It became a reminder that somebody noticed something about me that they valued.
We Often Overthink Gifts
Most of us spend far more time worrying about buying the "perfect thing" than thinking about the feeling we're trying to create.
The truth is...a thoughtful gift with a heartfelt message will always beat an expensive gift with no meaning attached. It's about explaining why you chose it.
A Gentle Nudge
Before choosing any gift, ask yourself one simple question:
"What have I noticed about this person?"
Maybe they have an infectious smile, or they're always looking after everyone else or maybe they're finally taking some time for themselves. When your gift reflects something you've genuinely noticed, it feels deeply personal—even if the gift itself is surprisingly practical.
How My Goody Bag Can Help
Choosing gifts can feel surprisingly stressful.
If you're wondering whether something is appropriate, ask us. Seriously! Email us and tell us who you're buying for, what's happening in their life and what you want them to feel when they open it. We'll happily help you choose.
Whatever you send, don't underestimate the power of a thoughtful message. Every My Goody Bag includes the option to add a handwritten designer card, and you can even include a favourite photo with our Photobomb add-on.
Because years from now...they'll remember how you made them feel.