The Impact of Great Gifts: Turning Ordinary Moments into Lasting Memories

Last Holiday season I had dinner with one of my college friends, celebrating over 20 years of friendship. I brought along two gift bags—one with a plain tumbler and another containing a custom elephant ornament I had made just for her.

The Meaning Behind the Gift

In the wild, female elephants are fierce protectors. When one of their own is in trouble, they form a protective circle, watching guard and kicking up dust to hide her vulnerable scent from predators. This beautiful imagery mirrors our own friendships. Sometimes we're the ones in the middle. Sometimes we're the ones kicking up dust with fierce, fierce love. But the circle remains.

The ornament was engraved with both our names and a Spotify code that linked her to a playlist of our favorite songs from 2000 to 2004—the soundtrack of our years at Montclair State University. Her reaction to both gifts is posted over on Instagram, but I think you can guess which one brought tears, hugs, and a flood of memories.

The Gift That Resonates

Isn't that the kind of reaction we all want when giving gifts? Don’t we want our gifts to leave a lasting impression rather than end up tossed aside or, even worse, regifted? Gifts don’t have to be expensive or extravagant; they just need to be meaningful. It’s the thought and the personal touch that counts.

Most of my personalized ornaments, like the elephant friendship ornament, are under $20 and are one-of-a-kind—nothing you’d find at a mall or big box store.

Celebrate Your Connections

Ultimately, it’s the unique gifts that celebrate the bond you share with someone that make the biggest impact. So next time you’re thinking about what to give, consider something personal that captures your friendship. After all, it’s the love and thought behind the gift that truly matters.

Want to find a special gift for a friend? Check out my Elephant Friendship Christmas Ornament for a meaningful touch that will be cherished for years to come!