Customer Reviews

The Language of Gifts: The Essential Guide to Meaningful Gift Giving

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If you're stuck for a gift on a limited budget (or a generous budget) and you want to give a thoughtful gift that will be remembered long after the wrapping paper has been thrown away, check out Deanna Washington's "The Language of Gifts." Washington has written a resource guide cross-culturally researched and filled with meaning that pulls at your heartstrings, not at your purse. In the eight months since I purchased the book I've bought gifts for birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, baby showers, weddings and now Christmas. None cost more than 10 dollars. And because I knew the "meaning" of the objects I chose, I could briefly explain the symbolism in the context of my relationship and my wishes for the recipient. Because of this book my motto now is, "a gift is worth a thousand words, make it say something." Anyone can give a gift that grabs the heart by using this book. It will help you express the deeper meaning and the emotions behind your gift, which helps create the richest bond of all, the bond of memories and emotions.

The author did her homework pretty well as far as finding out the traditional meanings of hundreds of different colors, numbers, animals, etc. -- details that can make your gifts more personal and thus more significant, but too often she doesn't tell us WHICH culture, for instance, believes amber is an antidote to impotence, so we have the meanings but not the sources, which makes this data just a bit untrustworthy. If you're really interested in the topic, you'd be best off using this book merely as a big set of clues, then doing more research on your own.

I love to give little gifts to people. This book answers my desire to add particular meaning to what I give. Even a small trinket becomes important when it carries my special intent in the form of story or tradition. I recently gave a small carved elephant to my husband in gratitude for his patience during a family crisis. He was touched by the specific message included in my choice of the elephant for him. Whenever he looks at the elephant I believe he becomes more patient all over again. I keep this book close at hand, leafing through it for ideas when I've someone I want to gift. Then my card can include the reasons I chose this gift for them. This is a lovely resource.

I think this is a great reference book. If you have to give a gift for a wedding you can look in here and find something with meaning that isn't expensive. You can wrap it up prettily with a lovely little card explaining the meaning of the gift and you have a much appreciated gift. I am finding that it truly is the thought and not the cost. BUT- it must have much thought and love put into it. Hence, this book. This book is like having someone already do the thinking for you on the meaning. You just need to pick out which gift you like and which meaning you want to attach to it.

Sure you can run out and do some of this research for yourself, but would you? Do you have the time? Would you even think of 1/2 the ideas in this book? I wouldn't have the time nor would I remember what I did research so I'd be doing the same research over and over and over.

If you want a small token of friendship or an inexpensive but nice wedding gift or a expensive gift that has a lot of thought put into it, this is the book to get. It is well researched, well organized and well worth the money.

I always try and give people gifts that make memories - gifts that not only are something they want but may not have time or money to buy, but gifts they will treasure for years to come. I make sure I remember family and friends favorite colors, hobbies, etc. Now that I have this book, I can not only give gifts that make memories, but gifts that are unique to each person's spirit. My god daughter loves butterflies and the color blue. After reading this book I know to give her butterflies (jewelry, etc.) at graduations and milestone birthdays to symbolize her new beginnings in life.

This book covers the symbolism of precious stones, colors, numbers, flowers, plants and trees - even animals and insects. I have always been drawn to bee pins, knowing that they are aerodynamically not made to fly, but achieve the impossible. In this wonderful book I also learned they were messengers to the gods, and the symbol of banks, since they tend to hoard their honey.

I now find myself writing a little something from the book in each card to go alone with each gift I purchase. All the homework is done for me - I just consult this wonderfully laid out book before I purchase a gift, wrapping paper or card. I also love this book because it has several great indexes. You can look up anything by name, color, etc.

There are hundreds of books on gift wrapping and card making. There is only one great book on the Language of Gifts. This is it. Enjoy!

At last a guide to gift-giving that makes it easy! Now, when I have someone I want to impress, sustain, encourage, reward, make smile, or just send love to, I check the Guide for possibilities. To send clarity and good luck, I might give a small carved black fox. To wish them love and blessings or creativity, it might be a picture of fish or a piece of tourmaline gemstone. A green bead would be a great wish for money for them.

I have obtained many books over the years to help me understand symbols more completely and none have come close to the comprehensiveness of this book. It covers everything from colors to animals to numbers to food.

It is obvious that the symbolisms of everyday items come from more than one source. I am impressed with how the author has combined those symbolisms so that anything around me can become an inspiring gift.

If you're looking for a way to put more meaning into your gift giving, check out this invaluable resource! It demonstrates that a gift is more than just an object--it's the meaning and message behind the gift!

Author Deanna Washington defines the meanings behind hundreds of everyday items, ranging from plants, astrological signs, scents, animals, numbers, food and more. Simply determine the message you want to express with the gift and then look in the book for items that symbolize that meaning. Jot down a few ideas and head for the store!

As the publisher of a website on imaginative gift giving [URL], I'm always looking for ways to turn mundane items into memorable gifts. This book is already dog-eared with use!

Interesting book with many ideas on how to give a meaningful gift to just about anybody.

However, I would argue that the average gift recipient would probably prefer a book or movie they've expressed interest in, as opposed to some random item dripping with symbolism of your relationship with them.

I'm not saying I don't like this book. I really do.

I'm just saying, some of these gifts, although dripping with meaningful good intent, would not be warmly received or easily understood. However, if you're buying this book in order to get creative shopping for older female relatives or your significant other, this book might be a good buy. All depends on your outlook.