I’ve been thinking the last few months about the concept of gifts. Our home is full of gifts that we have received over our lifetime. As time passes one uses up gifts, breaks gifts, gets rid of gifts, eats gifts, drinks gifts, puts away gifts etc. Over the years some gifts you forget who they came from or why they were given. Other gifts have been given at very special times in our lives or from very special people and we would be upset if they were to be damaged. My best friend died two years ago and our house is scattered with gifts from her that are a lovely reminder of the relationship we had. Other gifts you wouldn’t mind if they got damaged, or you might sell them, but you still appreciate the thought that was originally behind them.
So my idea has been to start taking photos of all the gifts we have in our home to help record the memories behind them. It also helps to give value to the items that we have in our home and is a great reminder of the fact that we already have lots of ‘things’ – we really don’t need a lot more in our home. We don’t need to go out and purchase more stuff. It also means that the gifts that are no longer relevant to our life e.g. don’t match the décor anymore, can be sold while still retaining the memory of the giver.