After writing yesterday's post on trichotillomania, which I am very proud of, very scared of and was probably one of the most difficult things I've ever written, I've decided to keep the content lightish for today. I was trying to work out what I was going to buy for a casual friend, and I realised how difficult little presents are to choose.
Sometimes, people are difficult to get presents for, especially if you're not especially close. These presents are almost stocking fillers, but they work for little occasions, or for people that you don't really know that well. They are appropriate for both genders, but are more suitable for children and teenagers. I don't know. I think adults might appreciate them, too. :)
Playing cards are a pretty boring gift, right? Not if you go a little personalised. I know that Paperchase does some adorable playing cards in different styles, but I picked up these playing cards on sale in Waterstones. I think at full price they cost £3.67, but most places I've seen them they've been cheaper. Tim Burton personally oversaw and approved the illustrations on these cards, which have awesomely gothic characters on them, and with hand drawn spade, club, heart and diamond motifs and stripes on the back, they are a fabulous present for anyone of any age.
Available here.
For the record, major diatonic harmonicas are the standard tuning for harmonicas, although they come in difference keys. Harmonicas are a lovely little gift, because they are a super easy instrument to learn, so you essentially give your friend a skill to learn. Lots of easy music is available for free online, and lots of songs are available with harmonica parts, especially blues and folk. I bought my harmonica from Menkind a few years ago, after becoming obsessed with the song Minority by Green Day, but I'm pretty sure you can't buy that specific one anymore.
A good alternative is available here.
Owls Kindle Cover, £14
I picked this us at a market near me, and I have since discovered that the people - Daisy and Bert - that make them make these covers for practically anything - ipads, phones, laptops, kindles - in a million and one different designs. Each one is completely handmade, but are made to an amazing quality. Covers and socks for things that a person already has is a pretty safe bet, as it's very likely that not only will they find the present useful, they'll also appreciate that you put personal thoughts into it.
You can buy this design here.
Juggling Balls, £0.99
Everybody loves circus skills, right? Like the harmonica, giving someone juggling balls gives them the option to learn an impressive skill which they can show off after mastering it. You can get really good ones, ones that light up, more colourful ones, but the classic looking ones like this are ideal for giving to someone you don't know all that one. You could always pair it up with an instruction book or other circus skills items to make a more substantial gift.
Available here.
This particular book is definitely for those with a pretty dark sense of humour. But it might be worth considering getting someone you don't know well enough to choose a more substantial book, a light hearted book such as this. More adult picture books are always a good bet, as are books with poetry inside, or pieces of art. This particular cartoon book features rabbits trying to kill themselves in a million strange ways, which is definitely not a book you want to read all at once, but can be darkly amusing to occasionally refer to.
You can buy this particular book here.
20 Badges
This box from Paperchase is not sold anymore, but you can buy badges to suit practically any person, and they are a nice, cheap but also personal gift. If you don't know the person well you can buy badges like these ones which just have photos of small animals and sketches of things like foxes riding bicycles - but you could personalise them by buying badges for their favourite band, their favourite book, television show, et cetera.
Other Paperchase badges can be bought here.
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