I'm usually reclusive from December until mid-January and occasionally until February, when I believe the holiday rush has passed and I want to visit with my best friend, who is my soul nourishment.
It's good that she feels the same about me, and whenever we meet, she encourages me to visit more often, as I'm low-maintenance and always welcome.
My friend and I don't celebrate Christmas, and exchanges of gifts are not necessary. However, she runs a chiropractic clinic and often receives gifts from clients.
One such gift was this box of chocolate, one of many boxes that my friend had received from patients, who tend to buy her chocolate knowing that she does not drink alcohol.
This unwanted gift box of chocolate from my friend then became an unwanted gift of mine, which I took, knowing that hubby would scoff them off in one go.
I felt good knowing that my friend felt comfortable saying that it was an unwanted gift, and I was straight with her, and I remarked, I don't eat chocolate, but I'm a lover of Ferrero Rocher," which she thought would be a great tagline, and handed me a few of them from her coffee table.
I was under the weather while visiting her, suffering from dehydration, so she was thoughtful and offered me this box of aloe vera juice, which helps me to absorb nutrients and also acts as a detox.
These two items—food—are ideal gifts for minimalists, and chances are that they will be highly appreciated and used, as opposed to items for display that can be cumbersome or, worse, act as magnets for dust, especially for people living in small spaces.
My friend knows that I'm keen on anything to help boost my immune system, and this box of aloe vera juice from the reputable Forever Living brand was more than a kind gesture, as having a glass on an empty stomach is a great way for me to start the new year with a healthy habit of looking after myself.
Overall, gifts don't mean or matter much to me or my friend, and our most memorable topic over chatter was that of connection.
We reflected on our present lives and acknowledged that we're both independent women of similar backgrounds, of islanders from contrasting yet similar cultures. We've both been here in the UK for many years and have grown with our partners here. For her in particular, with grown kids who have also emigrated to other countries, we understand the importance of connections and having a support network, more than just an exchange of tangible material gifts.
That short visit with my friend was uplifting and the best gift to her and for me.
As I sat waiting for my train, which had a long delay, I felt lucky that my train was the only one that hadn't been cancelled due to flooding.
I thought about how special it is that although we might only see each other once or twice a year, whenever we meet, we can have deep, heart-to-heart conversations and let each other's guard down.
This for us is and has always been the best gift that we give to each other, and in moments like these, we identify that the worst kinds of unwanted gifts are having the wrong people in your life and the importance of nurturing connections and making the right choices.
It's because it's basically Nutella and who doesn't love Nutella!?!
Consumable gifts are great for minimalist for sure. I think that they are the way to go for Christmas gift exchanges and games like white elephant as well. They can appeal to both male and female and then people don't end up with junk they don't like or use that sit in a closet for years before getting donated to Good Will. Even if the person doesn't like the consumable gift like chocolate or maybe it's wine or whatever, they can always put it out and offer it to guest when they visit.
Yeah, I agree. I'll eat Nutella, but only by itself.
I had to look up 'white elephant'... I never heard of it but I like the concept and there's a lot of logic behind it.
💯and that's a win-win. 👍
How great that you can count on such special friends
Having a relationship like that, that helps you nourish your brain and at the same time feel free to be yourself is a wonder, a gift that is kept in the best of places and doesn't get in the way at all. I'm glad you were able to share special moments with her and enjoyed some yummy ferrero.
It sounds like despite the dehydration malaise you got off to a great start this month. I wish you a great and positive day 🤗.
Hello Jemima!
You've summed that up so well.
Thanks for your lovely comment:)))
Oh same! Chocolates are too sweet for my tongue now. But I love ferrero, especially the dark flavor.
Haha! You even have a box handy 😆😍
I like the original ones the best 😋
Husband pasalubong 😆, he bought a lot of chocolates but I safe keep only that one.
Ah, I know how important that is for Filipinos 😍
Ah yeap, especially it's Christmas when he goes home.
With that, I hope you are starting the year in a blast!
It's been a quiet start but I'm optimistically looking forward to the coming months:)))
All the best to you and your family!
I love Ferreros; they are popular here. I hope they make you feel totally recovered 😌 I like to eat dark chocolate when. I'm feeling weak and/or sad.
I know what it's like. I have three friends like that. Only three in the whole world. We're lucky to have people like that in our lives.
Cheers, @millycf1976. Sending love your way 💟
Ok, it's good to know that you have Ferreros there too. They're too lovely to not be a worldwide treat.
You're lucky to have a small circle of precious friends, as they don't come by often. People come into our lives for a reason and when you see those special qualities, they should be cherished.
I'm feeling much better now, thank you 😍
Have a lovely weekend:)))
A lovely weekend to you, too
😍🤗
Ferreros are wonderful. Are you feeling alright? <3
Yes, nothing compares to Ferreros.
Thanks! I'm doing much better now. Whatever was wrong with my system, seems to have passed 😁
I'm glad to hear 😊
Thank you! I'm relieved too 😊
I also agree, chocolates can be nice on the days you generally crave them otherwise I mostly pass up on wasting my calories 😂 Until Ferrero's, I think we all feel the same way about them. They are just too heavenly not to love, me and my girlfriend have a sweet tooth for Ferrero Rocher milkshakes on the weekends 🤤
💯😍😋
Hmmm! That sounds yummy! I've never heard of that one.
I'm sitting here wishing I had some Ferrero Rocher now.
Have a Ferrero-Licious Weekend! 😋
They’re delicious! try it out next time you get a milkshake if they offer it 😍 too damn good!!
You too, have a fantastic weekend, take care!
Thank you!🤗
I'm remember that # 😁
I love chocolates. You can send me the chocolates as you don't eat it. Hehe. Just kidding.
The friendship between two is quite special. Although you two meet once or twice in a year, the bond between two is quite strong and I can sense it by reading the post and based on my experience.
!LUV
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Hehe! I'm happy that I can always give my chocolate to my husband.
It's wonderful that you can relate to great friendships.
Thanks for stopping by and have a relaxing weekend:)))
I never imagined that a chocolate (Not just any, but a Ferrero Rocher) could travel like this from hand to hand, unwanted. Life always surprises me... hahaha....
She is your great friend who was meant for you by destiny. What a blessing to be able to count on that connection.
🙌 That's it!
No, the Ferreros were delicious, and hubby enjoyed that box of Thorntons.
Last year I bought a box of chocolate from Marks & Spencer for my mother-in-law, and you would never imagine how disgraceful she behaved. She ripped the box and package open shoved it at me and told me to 'take it back'. She said she does not like chocolate with a soft inside. She harped on about it and kept pushing the bag away and I did not react. I just made her show her true dirty colours. When she was not ranting, she felt horrible. She came to me the next morning and said she had one and it was nice.
I spent over an hour in the shop selecting the best gift and all the ladies recommended it and said I can't go wrong with it.
She also bought me a box of M&S chocolate many years ago, and I never told her that I didn't eat chocolate. I was appreciative knowing that my M-i-L went out of her way to buy me a gift and I was happy that I could have given it to hubby.
People of my m-i-l's age are usually flattered by anything from M&S. However, my m-i-l is materialistic and said she would have preferred something 'girly' and that people love to buy chocolate because they think it's safe. (That was the very reason she gave me when she purchased chocolates for me many years ago).
Yes, I think this friendship was destiny and she's taught me so much throughout the years, I'm always happy when I can reciprocate and do anything in return.
I'm never into bashing people, but you have to recognise when people are bad for you.
Have a lovely weekend:)))
I'm sorry :( and I understand. Take care of your energy, @millycf1976.
I wish you a lovely weekend as well.
Thank you 😍🤗
First of all, you have such a beautiful and contagious smile! Secondly, I love how you pointed that you love how your friend felt comfortable with you enough to tell you it was an unwanted gift. That is a very genuine level of friendship. Thirdly, I'd say I will check out that brand of chocolate, but I dislike chocolates generally. I'm starting to take the chocolate flavored biscuits though, that's progress. 😂
Thanks for your lovely comment!😊
Yes, I feel lucky to have think special friendship.
Yes, that's progress, indeed.
I'm just more of a savoury person than a sweet tooth person.
Have a lovely weekend:)))
You too! :)
🤗
What you have with your friend is a deep, trustful connection. A great feeling to have such friends! About Ferrero... I do eat chocolate haha but this box is still untouched, I got it for Christmas from a little student. Every year I get some boxes of chocolate as your friend from her patients 😁
You are so right, and it is indeed hard to find people who we connect with in this way.
That's a lovely box of Ferrero. How thoughtful it was of your student. I hope you'll enjoy it soon 😍😋
I like this, a friend that us good for your heart and soul, they're not just a friend but like more than that ✨💓💓. I haven't found a friend like that though.
Anyways she is so sweet with the gift, I don't eat much chocolate but I eat when we have it. Lol. You know when a friend give some to us. I don't really buy it too because chocolate is like a luxury to me 😂
I believe that you will when the time is right.
Our paths crossed at a pivotal point in my life, and we've had the opportunity to see each other through some of the darkest times of our lives.
We feel lucky to have each other and are committed to nurturing our relationship.
I understand that chocolate, especially good ones, are luxury for many. That's how I think it should be though. Just a little bit for special occasions. 🤗
I went online to find out what Ferrero Rocher was, hahaha.
I also think that cultivating connections with the people we love is the most important thing in life.
I enjoyed reading you, dear @millycf1976 . A big hug from Maracay.
Ah, I wonder if Ferrero Rocher didn't make its way to the Venezuelan market? Oh, what a shame! If I ever come to Venezuela, I'll make sure to bring a pack for you.
Yes, indeed! I think it's difficult to make social connections these days, but it's even more important to let each other know how we feel when we have to chance to, since life is so fickle.
Sending you a hug from the snowy UK @irvinc
My wife confirmed that these chocolates are available in some stores in the city. I did not know that. Anyway, your gift will be well received when you come to Maracay.
Happy day dear friend.
Thanks 🤗
Ferrero Rocher reminds people of the taste of happiness.
The photo of the sun is wonderful. It's always nice to read friendship stories like this.
I like that 😍
The photo of the sun was what I saw first thing upon rising as I opened the curtains above my bed:)
I'm glad you liked this because a good friendship is precious.
Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy the weekend!
My boss got me a box of it before I go back home. My niece loved it the most haha.
I think Ferreros are the best gift, and it was nice that you shared them with your niece 😍
I love the white one! It has incredible taste
Oh, I've probably had the white one once or twice. I can't remember the distinct taste now, but somehow I tend to go for the original flavour. I wouldn't say no to any colour of Ferrero Rocher, though 😋
Indeed! It's just a Ferrero roucher color :)
💯😁