Small Gifts That Say I Love You
There’s just nothing like homemade gifts.
The kind that you give.
And gifts that you receive.
I’ve written so many posts on hostess gifts, how to give, when to give, why to give, how to give a gift or a hug … I get mixed up when I try to remember if I posted certain ideas or not (the downside of blogging for 5 years – ha!).
This last week I roasted a LOT of tomatoes, which are coming on strong in our garden right now. The tomatoes are so good, my family and I literally sat at the counter and ate them right out of the pan. They tasted like candy, they were so delicious.
I decided to jar up the tomatoes and give them to a few of my friends (with a note to refrigerate and eat within 2-3 days). What a lovely little gift to give someone with a fresh baguette loaf!
Before we can or freeze, sometimes taking “fresh” is the way to go, especially when we want to tell a friend that we love them. And I love saying “I love you” with food.
Now, everyone has their own love language. I’m usually giving away something I’ve canned, like jam, applesauce, chutney, salsa, or Apple Pie in a Jar.
But a gift I received this summer was more than special. It was from my mom’s best friend growing up, who crocheted for my sisters and me beautiful hot pads. Our friend Vinnie didn’t even use a pattern, but just created it as she went.
I did ask her about her thoughts for us girls (since our mom is gone now) while her fingers were at work. She said, “I did want you girls to know in some small way that I love you.”
And then when I read this, I decided to not use the hot pad, but to tuck it away for my daughter.
“You girls are a wonderful memory of my wonderful friend.”
Enough said.
Small gifts that say I love you are important.
They let the other person know that we are thinking of them. And they are very special.
When’s the last time you gave a small gift to a friend, just because?
(BTW, since it’s now September, I’m so excited to say I’ve won a trip to the Food Network Wine and Food Festival and my sisters are coming with me to NYC. Thanks to the National Pork Board, the 3 of us will be attending this wonderful event the end of the month. Happy, happy, happy! We’ve never done anything like this before, so watch out NYC! :) I also want to announce the 3 winners to the Clutter Rehab book … Amanda, Mrs. Bennett, and Kimba.)
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What gift….some of the best gifts are handmade and come from the heart.
Another inspiring post dear Sandy : ) Thank you. I wish we were friends : ) I’ve been following your blog for a long time now, and I love how gentle, reliable, loving and smart you are. These are what I look for in my friends, maybe that’s why your posts always make me happy. Thank you.
Sending you lots of sunshine from Greece!
I love the potholders! My mom has made me several and I have several that were made by my grandmother, too. So vintage.
“You girls are a wonderful memory of my wonderful friend.”…that made me cry.
I love this post…and I love gifting people “just because.” I need to do it more often…and not always with cookies. Ha!
Have a GREAT time at the festival! Is it bad that I am jealous?
Beautifully said, Sandy. It really is the thought that counts. Someone once gave me a handmade baby gift and she told me that while she was making it, she prayed for my baby and me. How incredibly wonderful that made me feel. People want, more than anything, to know that you care about them. Small acts of kindness (or gifts) are so doable. Thanks for the reminder!
You’ve inspired me, Sandy. I think unexpected, just because gifts are the absolute best kind!
I wish I would’ve seen this a month ago. Never thought about canning roasted tomatoes!!! It seems so obvious now. Great idea!
What a wonderful gift!
What a great idea Sandy! Those look delicious!
All those roasted tomatoes just sent me to tears! I love all these gifts. I need those tomatoes. NOW.
You have me drooling. We love tomatoes….fresh and roasted!
When my best friend and I were five, we loved candies we called “dots” – they’re tiny neon colored sugar dots stuck to, what looks like, a long piece of adding machine tape. You peel them off the paper and chew them.
We’re 34 and every time I spy that candy, I buy her a strip and she gets all excited. It costs about $0.50 for a package but her eyes light up – like she has permission to be five again for a little while.
Those look super yummy!! I’ve never roasted tomatoes before but I’m thinking I need to try it!
love this gift! What a great idea! Hope you had a great weekend
What a wonderful gift! The tomatoes look super yummy. I need to remember to surprise my friends more often with a small token on my appreciation for their friendship. Even if it’s just an ecard! Congrats on the Food Network invitation! How exciting.