The Jar of Joy

How many of us are constantly stuck with ideas for a thoughtful and meaningful gift for that friend who is so special?

As my friends and family know, I am a card person. I have always (even when I was small) valued the words in a card over the gift. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE presents, but receiving a card in the mail has always left me feeling quite giddy and fulfilled.

Being in London, you have so many options and so much to choose from for that special gift - but last month I was faced with a slight dilemma. I went to find the 'perfect' gift for a great girl I work with - but I failed miserably. Allison was my first friend I made at my new job in London-town, and not only is she probably one of the kindest souls around - she is pretty much brilliant to the point where I really wanted to tell her this, but I felt a card would not make do.

I wanted to give her a gift whereupon, every time she saw the gift it made her feel good. No matter what challenging day she experienced, burden she faced, she felt amazing by simply looking at it.

I constantly refer to some of life's beautiful moments as 'Jar of Joy' moments. Don't you just wish you could savour that feeling, place it in a jar, seal it, and in times of struggle open it and feel automatically amazing - if only for a brief moment?

Taking this on board, I decided to make Allison, her own personal Jar of Joy. I went about finding cute little jars (these can be found for a steal from Oliver Bonas, John Lewis, Joy, through to second hand shops), and cutting up small strips of thick paper. I then sat down and wrote not only the things I loved about her, but small affirmations that would get her through any cloudy day...

These ranged from 'YOU are PURE potential - know this' through to 'See your worth, I do'.

I gave her the Joy Jar along with some other bits and bobs, but without a doubt you could see with her expression how much it meant to her - and so the Jar of Joy was born!

I tend to do the same with corks. Whenever I pop open a champagne, there is always a reason for this. Whether it is a special occasion, getting that dream job or getting through a dark period - I always (hands down) keep the corks. I then write on them the date, who was there and the location. I place these in a big jar and every time I am low, I reach into my jar, pull one out like a lucky dip and read it. Seconds later I see that I am left smiling!

I looked at one today (I could not bring my whole jar from New Zealand, but selected five corks to bring to London) which said '07/03/09', Pukehina, Dad and Me. This was a very special moment in my life. It was beautiful weather and we were at an amazing beach (a real gem back in New Zealand) and Dad had got champers to celebrate my new job and move to another town. This was so important to me, as this move and job actually changed my life in more ways than one. I remember being so proud of myself and happy that day.

My sister in law has really encouraged me with this blog. I am lucky to have her in London, and she has to be one of the most generous people I know, (my room is beautiful from her many gifts). From the painting hanging above my bed, to having me over for dinner and letting me know that if there is anything troubling me - she is merely a phone call away. What I have realised, is we all have different ways of expressing love. Mine has always been through words. 

I recently learnt that she will not be in London for as long as I thought when I first moved over. I wanted to highlight how much she does mean to me, and wanted her to know I would be thinking about her, even when she is not around. So Ela, I have made you your own Jar of Joy to take with you for your next chapter, so whenever things may seem hard, and I am on the other side of the world - you can read some of the excerpts and know how much I do love you. You mean the world to my brother and I hope I continue to get to know you more. x.

Jar of Joy ingredients:

*  A Sizable Jar (I got mine from Joy for two pounds fifty) +

*  Small strips of paper that will fit in the jar with enough room for you to write on +

*  Meaningful statements from the heart =

An amazing gift that shows both time, effort and love.

Joy shops are EVERYWHERE in London - and have beautiful trinkets (not just jars): joythestore.com/

My late Gran once told 'what you make with your hands, you make with your heart.'

Everyone deserves joy in their life, and you can capture this easily through making a Jar of Joy for that person you love. x