Often it is the little things in life, the small moments of kindness and gentleness, that display true affection. Having a sense of unconditional support from a loved one or a close-knit group of friends is what gets us through more challenging times or keeps us going when navigating the natural stresses from day to day. Showing your love and care doesn’t have to be a grand gesture; it can be done in the simplest ways that also tend to be the most effective.
You can’t beat quality time with your nearest and dearest, but it can be easy to let this slide amongst busy schedules. Setting aside moments to connect and listen to your partner, friend or family member makes all the difference to your relationships; it creates a safe space to share thoughts and feelings and enables a strong sense of affinity. Make a date of it, book a fun mid-week dinner out or cook up their favourite recipe at home and dine al fresco (weather permitting!) If a rainy weekend rears its ugly head, turn it into a fun day together baking something new, even meal prepping together, bonding over nourishing food, or a decent meal is always good for the soul.
As summer approaches, getting outdoors and enjoying a sun-filled day is a great way to get together with a loved one. Fresh air is like magic for our moods; even something as simple as a walk in nature, a beach stroll, or a mountain hike gets you moving and can really help shake feelings of stress or anxiety. If someone you know has been struggling, surprise them with an activity to get their mind off things, book a game of tennis, organise a bike ride or gear yourselves up for a salty surf lesson. There is no therapy like that of the ocean, and it is an awesome skill to learn, especially if you live on the coast! Get creative; think about things your friend or partner has said they have always wanted to do but for whatever reason hasn’t gotten around to it; a thoughtful gesture that is personal to them is bound to crack a smile.
If you are living in a sharehouse with your partner or family, there are inevitable chores or household tasks that need completion, from weeding to laundry, fixing that front door or re-painting a space; it is easy to get overwhelmed with looming tasks. A modest but powerful gesture would be to take responsibility for one of these. Think of your loved ones or housemates' least favourite chore; relieving them of this can make such a difference; it takes a weight off their shoulders and shows how much you care about making life even that tiny bit easier for them. Coming home to a freshly cleaned house, new bed linen, or just having the bins put out is a great way to show compassion and consideration.
We can’t always physically be there for people we love when they need us; living far away or overseas can accentuate a sense of loneliness or distance. Combat this by sending someone a healing hamper, something to encourage a bit of self-care, comfort and love. Our fantastic range of Pamper Hampers is designed just for this purpose! Personalise the package as you please with rejuvenating products, nurturing candles, essential oils and more. These are a great alternative to flowers as they are long-lasting and a beautiful way to give your recipient a big hug from afar.
Check out more of our gifts and hampers to send as a gesture of love, big or small!