This feels like one of those questions echoed annually, living in the same wheelhouse alongside platitudes about the weather or weekend plans. Or is it? Is there something more at play here? A genuine interest, seeking out of gifting inspiration or maybe a little window into your likes and dislikes.
It was my birthday this week and very lovely it was too thank you J And it got me thinking about what makes the perfect gift.
Well before the Larders existence I have always loved the process of choosing a gift that would suit that person, in my opinion – down to the ground. Watching them open the present and hopefully seeing it light up their eyes.
A good gift should be based in care, the idea that you really thought of that person when you chose this, thought about how it would make a small change to their lives. And those changes can be very small, as small as the joy of eating a single chocolate but never the less real.
I always think about a gift a friend gave me when my Father died – she sent me a beautiful wool blanket “to snuggle in at this sad time”, or something similar written in the card. Knowing what I would need and perfectly showing her care and consideration of me. It was truly beautiful.When I opened the Larder I knew that gifting was going to be one of its key features and something I knew personally I would be so joyful to be a part of.
Something I hear quite a lot from people is a phrase in the vain of ‘what do you buy someone that doesn’t need anything?’. This word ‘need’ is such a funny one when it comes to food and gifting for that matter. If gifts were what we needed does that mean Andre should have bought me light bulbs for the oven hood for my birthday? I need those, needed them for ages, can’t say I’d have been happy being presented with them on my birthday however.
While that’s an extreme example I do find different peoples way to give or receive gifts interesting – we are all a little different and there’s no difference here with foodie gifts. Some are getting for example a nice jar of honey knowing that the person eats it every day on their toast, others might choose something unique like some chilli crisp to invite them to try something new.
In gift hampers there are two ways to look at them – either choosing one of the Larders set options – seeing a list of treats you think the recipient will enjoy clearly listed, taking that job off your to do list but still making a caring and considerate choice – job brilliantly done.
Second option is choosing themselves or asking me to choose some bespoke treats for that specific person. It’s all a matter of what makes sense for that situation, at that time. But the commonality here starts with making the choice to choose to shop small, with an independent who is supporting many more independents and all the while giving that person something they would be unlikely to get for themselves – a treat in its truest sense.
There are other hamper companies that include white label goods, the likes of which might sit at the back of a cupboard for years to come unloved due to their uninspiring nature – I’m not purely being mean, though I know I am a little – so having a collection that really does inspire is so important to me.
Food as a gift really does in my eyes offer so much as an option. Not only does it allow for beautiful variation and personality but also the potential for uniformity depending what you are looking for. It is bound to please. Giving that look of joy aforementioned.
What did I get for my birthday you ask? Well – it was food in a sense. I never ask for something for my birthday – surprises, adventure and taste are what I’m after.
So a culinary road trip from North Devon to Porthleven Cornwall was undertaken with Andre and Olivier in tow with a whole variety of stops for snacks, coffees, markets, walks, lunch, drinks and well… whatever I fancied after all I was the birthday girl. A great day!
Feeling treated, feeling thought of that’s what it’s about. And when you're asked the question, well - you'll have much to discuss.