Looking for festive gift inspiration? Then take a cue from Positive News readers, who reveal the most meaningful Christmas presents they have received
Like Santa’s sack, our inbox has been overflowing since we asked readers to reveal the best Christmas gifts they’ve ever received. How heartening it was to be reminded that something as small as a book can kickstart a lifelong fascination into a subject. The power of the written word was a key theme among the responses we received, with books proving to be some of the most consistently memorable gifts.
Many of you also wrote movingly of the seemingly small homemade items that you received years earlier but still cherish; from handknitted socks to misspelled cards from tiny children who are now adults. It was these tiny acts of love, these thoughtful tokens of appreciation, that stood out above material goods.
As the corporate machine fires up for its festive bonanza, it was a relief to read how many of you quietly rebel against rampant consumerism, including by giving the most precious gift of all: time.
Here are the best Christmas gifts you’ve received
Time
“Lots of people find the festive period a challenging. I’m one of these folks. So, the best gift I have been given, and that I give each year, is to myself: it’s the space to step back and rest. I take extra time offline and refuse to feel guilty for not performing cheerfulness because it’s a hard time for my mental health. To ‘hibernate’ like this is nurturing for me as it still means I can connect with loved ones but on my own terms. I spend Christmas day with my dog doing things I enjoy and resting. To rest and meet one’s own needs is an act of resistance in our fast, consumerist culture. This space to just be and not do is the ultimate gift of self-compassion. Surely, we all deserve that?” – Dee, Bolton, UK
“I was told in May 2021 that my cancer meant I would be unlikely to see Christmas that year, but I’m still here, still loving sharing time with my family and friends. What a true gift this is.” – Ben, New Forest, UK
Misspelled cards
“Handmade cards from my children. Their messages written in their own way with beautiful misspellings are a joy to read. My children are now grown up and I still have those cards and they touch my heart every time I read them.” – Sheila, Worcestershire, UK
Other people’s favourite books
“I always ask my friends to gift me their favourite book they’ve read that year. I get a glimpse into their world, and it makes me feel closer to them.” – Martina, London, UK
“When I was 19, I asked people to give me a copy of their favourite book, or a book they had loved, if they didn’t have a clear favourite. I discovered some of my favourite books and it gave me valuable connections to people. I still have the copies on my bookshelf, and particularly treasure the ones given by people who have since died.” – Katie, UK
Jacqui in Aviemore was gifted a small teddy by her father after her mother died. ‘This felt comforting and is a lasting memorial of my mum and my dad – one we can cuddle up to’ she said. Image: drz
Books that spark lifelong fascinations
“When I was nine years old, I read about the anniversary of the Titanic sinking and was fascinated. My sister bought me A Night to Remember the following Christmas and it started a lifelong study.” – Paul, Canada
Library books
“It wasn’t my present, but I met a couple in the library who were choosing – to borrow – a book for each other.” – Marion, Stourbridge, UK
Unusual subscriptions
“When I was a child, my parents gave me a subscription to a series of special dolls for Christmas. Each month I received in the mail a doll from a different country, dressed in their native costume, with a story of their life and country, along with a few words of their native language. The dolls were delightful and created in me a lifelong interest in and openness to people whose experiences are different from mine.” – Cynthia, Oregon, US
A set of wheels
“When I was five, I got a red scooter and rode it until it rusted through. I loved that thing.” – Alan, Maine, US
A cuddly toy
“One of the best gifts I received was from my elderly father. My dearly loved mum had died in the November and that Christmas he bought a small teddy for myself and one each for my two daughters. This felt comforting and is a lasting memorial of my mum and my dad – one we can cuddle up to.” – Jacqui, Aviemore, UK
I always ask my friends to gift me their favourite book they’ve read that year. I get a glimpse into their world, and it makes me feel closer to them
Homemade socks
“My grandmother used to knit all of us grandchildren two pairs of socks for Christmas. There were 16 of us and she spent the entire year knitting them. These were my favourite gifts. I still remember the feel of them when I opened the present. The warm, tactile feeling of the knitting. And they always fitted just right.” – Suna, Lillehammer, Norway
A treasure hunt
“A treasure hunt with riddles to find hidden cards and presents. The best part was decoding the riddles and knowing the effort it had taken to devise and plan, more than the cards and gifts.” – Nic, London, UK
Charitable donations
“A few years ago, I started asking my uncle, who never knew what to get me for Christmas, for a donation to Choose Love, which supports refugee projects worldwide. It’s now one of my favourite gifts: a small act of hope and solidarity in difficult times.” – Annabelle, London, UK
A homemade chess set
“A chess set. The pieces were individually carved out of stone by my brother, making each one completely unique. He also frosted a grid into a sheet of glass to make the board. The whole process took about two months, and it made an amazing gift.” – Eric, Washington State, US
‘My grandmother used to knit all of us grandchildren two pairs of socks for Christmas. There were 16 of us and she spent the entire year knitting them’ – Suna, Lillehammer. Image: rocknwool
Jewellery
“My sister took my five-year-old daughter shopping for my Christmas present. My daughter immediately picked out a silver double-heart ring. When she gave it to me, she said the little heart was hers and the big heart was mine. I cried. That was 15 years ago. I still wear it every day.” – Rhonda, North Carolina, US
Curated self-care items
“A gift box of several self-care items – a candle, soaps, hair oil, etc – from my now deceased mother-in-law. It was so thoughtfully chosen, and I loved getting it. It took a year to use it all up. Such a sweet and thoughtful gift that has stuck with me over the years.” – Rhianna, Australia
Vouchers for household chores
“[The best gift I received] was a coupon book from my teenage son: each coupon was good for “one task or chore, done without attitude or complaint, the moment you ask for it to be done”. The first coupon I cashed in came with a quick flash of teenage discontent, until I waved the coupon in the air, at which point he smiled and replied: “Right away, mama.” – Laura, Reno, US
And yes – boxes that presents came in
“The best present I ever had was a very large box that a large present came in. I played for hours with that box.” – Ken, Greece
Main image: FreshSplash
Put hope in their hands
“This was one of my best presents ever this Christmas. Such a surge of hope when you see it” – Kit, Positive News gift recipient.
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