Purposeful presents.

Buying presents is a simple and fine art. I would even go as far as saying that finding the right present for someone can be more fun and pleasurable than the actual act of giving the present to them.

For me, a good present is one with purpose. One may be tempted to argue that almost any present can be purposeful. For instance, even the hideous yellow blouse with large purple flowers I once received from a distant aunt served it’s purpose by being donated to a charity shop and hence clothing someone less privileged. But this isn’t what I mean by a present with purpose. Purposeful presents are unique. They are backed by immense research and they relate to some specific, individual and passionate interest of their intended recipients. Purposeful presents tell stories. They are thoughtful. They have been found through a process that was painstaking and time-consuming but thoroughly enjoyable. Purposeful presents are those you keep searching for, even when you can get away with buying a bottle of wine.

The best time to buy such presents is when you are not required to buy them. In other words, it is more likely that you will find the perfect turquoise necklace for your sister (which would match her favourite cocktail dress and also enhance the depth of her light blue eyes) as you are walking down a market in a foreign country during your summer holidays than at a big christmas sale in one of the high street stores.

But even buying the right present is only half the story. I find that wrapping it up and personalising it is just as important. I believe that presents are not things. They are wrapped up little experiences. And I like to heighten the experience my present offers by including a little message, a quote, a drawing or perhaps a private joke. I like the present to have a touch of me. Like it is a piece of art that I want to sign my name on.

This year, I had a wonderful time buying presents for my friend Ben and his family who had invited me to spend Christmas with them. The presents were few, but I hope they were found purposeful.