Saturday 12 December 2015

Guest Post: Top Tips for Giving Personal Gifts this Christmas by Carol Thomas

Today I'm pleased to welcome author Carol Thomas with a guest post about giving personal gifts this Christmas.

In my novel, Crazy Over You, Abby and Simon have been married for fifteen years; they share a long history and know each other well. As the novel opens with them at a crisis point in their relationship, Simon begins a mission to win Abby back through a series of words, actions and pertinent gifts. Whether his efforts would work or not (and you’ll have to read the book to see if they do) it was important that his intentions seemed thoughtful and sincere. So I set about researching the ultimate in personal gifts. 

The good news for most of us is that giving the perfect gift doesn’t have to cost a lot; giving something that shows you’ve paid attention and you care was repeatedly deemed of greater value than impersonal gifts that cost more. With that in mind, here are mine, and Simon’s, top tips to giving a personal gift this Christmas…

Give a reminder of a special day: If the gift is for your partner, don’t just think of the obvious ones like your wedding day or first date, for Abby and Simon it is a day spent at the zoo. Give a bottle of the drink you shared at a happy time, a CD of the music that was relevant to the beginning of your relationship, or even better a mix CD of your songs. This type of gift can be appropriate for your best friend as much as your partner. 

Make things and make time: Making things isn’t for everyone but remember, as Simon finds in Crazy Over You, it doesn’t have to be elaborate or perfect to make an impression. If handicraft isn’t your thing, you could make a favourite meal or a cake. My dad misses the cakes his partner (who sadly passed away) made him, and loves to receive homemade cakes as a gift. And then of course there is the gift of time. Sometimes loved ones can crave our time but we are too “busy” to give it. Show someone you care by spending time with them this Christmas. Alternatively, if those receiving the gift are busy themselves, why not give them some time off. Babysitting is sometimes the perfect gift for a busy couple.

Give thoughtful jewellery: While giving jewellery can seem an obvious one you can make it more personal by seeking out a gemstone that reflects something pertinent to the person’s year. If you know someone trying for a baby, for example, rose quartz and moonstone are said to enhance and stimulate fertility. If your friend has been having a tough time in business or financially, citrine is said to be a symbol of prosperity. A bit of research on Google for the appropriate stone and you can make your present more personal.

Sometimes the simplest of gifts can show you care and make someone’s day. Whatever you give or receive this Christmas I hope you have a happy festive season and a great 2016. 

Love can drive you crazy… in more ways than one!

When Abby met Simon it was the start of something special, a love Abby believed would last a lifetime.

A wedding, two daughters and fifteen years later Abby’s world is falling apart. Having discovered Simon has had an affair her normally ordered mind is spiralling out of control. Crushed by the betrayal and shocked by her own reaction, she knows she needs to get herself together. She’s just not sure where to start.

With Simon on a mission to win her back and a close friend hiding a secret that could push her further over the edge, Abby finds strength and support where she least expects it. But as she attempts to gain control of her life and make decisions about her future, it may be more than the limits of Abby’s mind that are put to the test!

Author bio:
Carol Thomas lives on the south coast of England with her husband, four children and two lazy Labradors. She enjoys taking on a challenge and writing her novel, Crazy Over You, while looking after her children and working part-time has proved to be one of her most exciting challenges to date. Carol has taught in the primary sector for fifteen years and works as a copywriter for commercial websites. She has a passion for reading, writing and people watching and can often be found loitering in cafés, drinking too much tea and working on her second novel. 

To find out more about books by Carol Thomas:

http://www.carol-thomas.co.uk
https://facebook.com/carolthomasauthor
https://twitter.com/carol_thomas2

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