The mysterious looking gift waiting under the tree for me was a record player, a wonderfully thoughtful gift that was both very unexpected and very gratefully received. The older I get, and I'm almost certain it's similar for you too, the more the magic of Christmas comes through spending time with those special people in life and being able to tell them just how blooming amazing I think they are.
I haven't asked for anything in particular around Christmas or my birthday for a long while now, but it turns out that my words of assurance that "a handwritten card or perhaps a nice box of chocolates would be more than enough" are pretty consistently forgotten almost as soon as I've said them each year. In their place a turntable, two of the Barnes & Noble leatherbound books and one of the Soap and Glory gift sets were wrapped up and waiting for me on Christmas morning. I can't have mentioned any of these things in casual conversation more than once each so I think my loved ones are particularly astute and know me almost better than I know myself.
And judging by the overjoyed looks on their faces as I opened the gifts they had picked out for me, giving presents to those people who are always there, come what may, and letting them know how appreciated they are is a magic that transcends all others.
It truly is the thought that counts.
All my love,
Jennie
xoxo






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P.S. There's something quite mesmerising watching a vinyl spin around and around, don't you think?
I got a record player for Christmas a few years a go. There is something so special about the crackling noises that the vinyls make. My top tip for buying vinyls is to avoid record fairs because the stall owners will rip you off. Try antique shops and eBay. :)
ReplyDeleteHope you had a lovely Christmas!
Ooh thank you for the tip, I definitely will! xo
DeleteThis is the very same turntable I received! It was beautifully paired with a Lana Del Rey vinyl, I love the eerie sound. :)
ReplyDeleteTara x
Aww so lovely <3
DeleteLovely post Jennie :) The record player is so cute, I still have all of my old vinyls, they are all on my dads jukebox :)
ReplyDeleteAww that's amazing! xo
DeleteThis was a lovely post! I hope you have a fantastic new year :)
ReplyDeletewww.ellenwarnerxo.blogspot.co.uk xo
Thank you, Ellen. I hope you do too! xo
DeleteThe record player is such an amazing gift to receive, the music sounds completely different and much better in my opinion when it's played on the record player :) x
ReplyDeletewww.meetmeonthebalcony.com
I completely agree <3
DeleteI feel exactly the same way! Saying that, it's always lovely to receive a thoughtful gift which means a lot <3 xxx
ReplyDelete<3 <3
Deletewhat a nice record player!! great post :-)
ReplyDeletefashion, beauty and an existential crisis
Thank you <3
DeleteSuch a lovely post Jennie. I have always loved your writing. I wish you a fantastic year 2015.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, that means the world! Wishing you a wonderful 2015 too <3 xx
Deletei absolutely loved reading this post - i'm still savoring any last bits of anything christmas/holiday related that i can find and this hit the spot. the turntable looks lovely! i got my boyfriend one last year for christmas too. something about it just feels so different than mere spotify playing in the background. you're right it's really the thought that counts. and the older i get, and the most christmases i spend with my favorite man, the more i realize that too : )
ReplyDeleterachel x
blush&brunch
So cuteee! <3
DeleteLovely post, I love watching people open presents when I have put a lot of thought in, it's a great feeling.
ReplyDeleteJealous of your record player, I have always wanted one, it's a stunning colour too.
bethanlikes.blogspot.co.uk
Thank you sweet. Wishing you the happiest new year <3 xo
DeleteI got my best friend one of these for christmas this year, thought it was an excellent gift. Glad you got one too x
ReplyDeleteWishing you a lovely and happy new year (:
Stefanie | Casualllyawkward | Bloglovin
Thank you lovely, you too! xo
DeleteI feel exactly the same! I am so grateful to have such fabulous people in my life. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas! xx
ReplyDeleteI did thank you sweet, I hope you did too! xo
DeleteAs you get older you realize that the best things in life aren't things :) Although I sure don't mind them haha. What I do mind is, well... Opening gifts in front of people is so much pressure! I'm always afraid of not appearing as enthusiastic as I feel inside, because I'm not the most expressive of people :P Ah, I could watch that vinyl spin all day! A GIF on a loop is all I need -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey's
ReplyDeleteHehe I worry about that too! xo
DeleteA record player is such a cool gift to get! I'm glad you had a nice Christmas and I hope you're having a nice weekend!
ReplyDeleteJessica
the.pyreflies.org
Thank you lovely :) xo
DeleteWhat a lovely post Jennie :) A record player is such a cool present! It's so nice that your family surprised you like that :) They really must listen to you!
ReplyDeleteEmma xx
I'm definitely very lucky <3
DeleteAll the gifts you mention sound so you - I'm happy you received them, even though you don't ask for much. I agree that the older we get, the more appreciative we are. I remember when I was younger all I looked forward to were food, and presents. I really love spending time with my loved ones now. I'm not really sure what changed that made me feel that way, but I'm glad!
ReplyDeletebecky ♡ star violet
Me too, it's a lovely feeling <3
DeleteSweet and deep post! Really great xx
ReplyDelete<3
DeleteYou always write so beautifully! It sounds like your family know you very well, what thoughtful gifts xx
ReplyDeleteIoanna | Hearting.co.uk | Check out my 100 follower GIVEAWAY
Thank you so much! xo
DeleteHope you had a wonderful Christmas Jennie xx
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jenny - you too! xo
DeleteVinyl is wonderful, there's just something so 'ritualistic' about putting on a record, it makes listening extra special! I hope you had a lovely Christmas :)
ReplyDeleteMilly // Mini Adventures
Thank you, I hope you did too! xo
DeleteGreat post:) Happy holidays dear!
ReplyDeletetheprintedsea.blogspot.com
Thank you! Happy Holidays <3
DeleteYour record player is amazing! I agree that as you get older Christmas is less about the presents, and more about family!
ReplyDeleteThe Velvet Black // UK Style & Beauty Blog
<3 <3
DeleteWhat a wonderful gift! I've been on the hunt for a nice record player myself, though my best friend has one of his own...I might just steal his every now and then. c: You have a wonderful way of writing, very thoughtful. Great post xx
ReplyDeletebigfluffycats.blogspot.com
Thank you so much! <3
DeleteJennie you said this so much more beautifully than I did in my own post, but I know exactly what you mean - it's wonderful to see the look on everyone's faces when they open a gift that you know they are going to love, or seeing their faces of excitement in anticipation when you open something that they've picked out with love!! It's the best xo
ReplyDeletewww.lovedbylaura.com
It really is! xo
DeleteI'm so glad you had a lovely Christmas! It's so nice to give the ones you love nice gifts, you got some gorgeous things too! x
ReplyDeleteJosie’s Journal
Thank you lovely <3
DeleteWhat wonderful gifts!
ReplyDeleteI always think the best part of Christmas is just seeing the smiles and surprise on people's faces.
Definitely! xo
DeleteLove the record player! Hope you had a lovely Christmas x
ReplyDeleteThank you Lily, I hope you did too <3 ox
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