Customer Reviews

Giving With Meaning: Turn ordinary items into meaningful gifts using folklore, legends and traditions

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

August 2011. I'm editing my previous review because I have to say how much I like this new version of the original book. Same great information but new size and price. Only $10. Great cover. It looks like a gift in and of itself. This book has so many great ideas, even guys like me who are not all that creative, can come up with a gift that actually means something! And it doesn't have to be expensive. The good part is that it's not just a line listing of ideas, like every other gift book out there. This book gives the folklore behind all kinds of ordinary items, like a cat or an evergreen tree, or a pineapple and then tells you how to use the ideas for cool, interesting gifts. I thank the author for this new size and shape. And the affordable price! I will actually be giving this book to my employees as a holiday present this year. On another note, this book saved my life when I needed to buy my wife an anniversary gift. I didn't have a clue about what to give. I'm better with big gifts from the local jewelry store. But we said small, thoughtful gifts. Talk about pressure. A friend recommended the ideas in Giving with Meaning and I can't tell you how it saved my anniversary. I used the lettuce idea (you've got to read the book -- it's an idea for lovers). I bought a great salad bowl and then made a salad and served it to her with her favorite wine. I even went the extra mile and wrote a note using the ideas in the book. I also gave her a scarf with fringe -- the fringe is a symbol of good luck and she was up for a new job. Bottom line: if you need some easy ideas and want to come off as someone who didn't just run to the mall and pick up the first thing you saw, this is the book for you.

A book that helps me give meaningful gifts to my favorite people! Who doesn't need this kind of help?
The history and folklore are fascinating, and make for intriguiing gift ideas that will be truly unique.
Get it before the holidays!

I keep this book handy! A client was moving into a new home and I wanted something "more than a card" but less than a formal gift. I turned to Giving With Meaning and found that the Norse believed that the acorn would protect homes from Thor's thunder and lightning. I enclosed a tiny silver acorn in my card along with the legend and Sheehy's suggested greeting: "to safeguard you and your home against all kinds of thunder and lightning."
Another time, I used rosemary and roses in a bridal headpiece I made - the rosemary tied with silk ribbons for loyalty and love and the roses for love and beauty. Everyone was impressed that the headpiece had significance and I felt especially good making it. The book even has stuff like the anniversary elements (paper, wood, pottery etc.) and the meanings of colors, spices, plants and flowers. Also handy to have the birthstones listed. Highly recommended!

Giving with Meaning is a wonderful book not only to give as a gift, but also to keep for yourself to have great ideas for any presents you should need to buy. By utilizing all the wonderful ideas in this book, you will be the person to give the MOST personalized gifts to all your friends and family. Sheehy clearly did her research when writing this book to give the reader all sorts of wonderful insight as to what means what. So not only can you give a wonderful present but you should also attach a copy of this great coffee table book so your friends can pass on the idea of "Giving with Meaning" :)

I have already used this book twice for gift giving ideas as I really wanted to "give something with meaning" to some very special friends. What I love most about this book is that it gives you ideas for gift giving without necessarily having to spend lots of money on a gift, but making your gift very special regardless of the monetary amount. I know I will continue to use this book for many future ideas and notes to go along with my gifts. Another note - I would also give this book as a gift to my friends, teachers, etc. Loved this book!

I purchased the book believing it would give me some great ideas for gifts. I was very disappointed. The book was based on quite a bit of mythology and did not help in the gift department. The book is overpriced for what you get.

A compilation of ideas for simple gift giving. The format isn't easy to follow and there aren't many ideas in the book (seemed like one per page) - large font to fill the pages.

I love this book. Not only is it chock full of lovely and practical ideas to use throughout the year, it is a joy to simply open up and be dazzled by the colorful graphics and illustrations. A great book to keep on the coffee table to share with visitors, or present them with their own copy!
Jan Mann, Author