People spend a lot of money on gifts depending on the level of friendship or status with a work colleague or business partnership.
The casual gift giver might think that spending more would make a larger impact on the recipient of your generous gesture.
But that's not always the case.
The value of a gift isn't always determined by its price tag.
Curious to hear examples of this, Redditor TheRedMarxist asked:
"What's a gift that is cheap but means the world to you?"
Not a penny was spent.
The Secret Souvenir
"When my wife and I were in Iceland, I jokingly picked up two rocks from the black sand beaches and said 'should we take these home to remember?'"
"She gave me a funny look and I thought she thought it was silly so I kind of just put them back and forgot about it. Well when we got back and were unpacking I found the same little rocks and she explained that she loved the idea and snuck them into her pocket."
"She went on to say that she gave me a weird look on the beach because normally I’m the one that says we shouldn’t break the rules. The rule is that it’s illegal to take rocks."
"Every time I see the rocks I remember all the traveling we have done and those are all my favorite memories."
– amdabran
Handwritten Notes
"A handwritten letter...I mean sitting down with a blank paper and writing down a short and sincere letter."
– Neat_Adagio3388
"As kid my best friend used to send me a letter when she was in summer camp each with a hand made bracelet."
"I still have them all and she send me an other one about a year ago for my 31st Bday and it's the most meaningfull gift I've ever recieved."
– daydreamerbeats
"I read one of these from my now deceased grandparents yesterday while cleaning my garage. I had got something in my eye and had to take a break."
– shrekerecker97
Sentimental keepsakes are the best.
A Loving Protector
"Before my Afgahnistan tour, my nan gave me a clay 'Guardian Angel' to keep me safe. I was kept safe, but she died a week before christmas and I couldn't make the funeral."
– Ok-Masterpiece7377
"She is with you always. That kind of love cannot be stopped through death. She will keep you safe now 🧡🧡 your extra guardian angel."
– Desperate_Divide6354
In Memory Of A Lost Pet
"Someone gave me a framed photo of my dog I had to put down."
– AllTheseKidsAreMine
"As a Christmas gift, my sister made me a blanket with a collage of my favorite pictures of my then-aging dog. Dog passed away the following year, and I still cherish the blanket."
– Zeroshim
"My absolute b*tch of a former roommate had a blanket made with my favorite picture of my cat that had just recently passed away. One of the very, very few things I appreciated from them."
– HereComesTheVroom
Sister's Writing
"You know what really means the world to me? It's this tiny, beat-up old journal my little sister gave me for my birthday one year. It didn't cost much, just a few bucks, but it's filled with her doodles, little notes, and memories we've shared together."
"Every time I flip through those pages, it's like taking a trip down memory lane. It's not about the price tag, it's about the love and thoughtfulness that went into it. That journal may be small and cheap, but to me, it's priceless."
– CharmyAbby420
Longgone Friend
"I have a cheap ceramic penguin nicknack that my friend who has passed away from GVHD like 6 years ago gave me. But also I collect old keep sakes from people that meant a lot to me."
"I have a letter from an exchange student from primary school (nearly 25 years ago). A movie ticket from an online friend who I met up with once. A small pin from another friend etc."
– DaikonNoKami
Sweet gestures are priceless.
Beautiful Bouquet
"Flowers, if someone gives me flowers. No matter the size, colour or price, then I'll melt away from the warmness."
– TheRedMarxist
"Especially if they grew them themselves. You know they were thinking about you and putting extra love in until the flowers were ready to be picked!"
– magicrowantree
Don't Underestimate It
"This will probably sound silly, a chocolate bar."
"Sometimes you just want to drift away while munching on a chocolate bar. I've been struggling a bit since March and I just want to sit down and eat a chocolate bar then take a good nap."
– RelChan2_0
Thoughtful Kids Ever
"When my daughter was about 3, she gave me a pine cone. She's 11 now and I still have it."
– BuckarooBonsly
"Drawings from my daughters. A ream of paper is worth it."
– Iampepeu
"My step daughter who is now 13 writes me a letter and puts it in the mailbox every year for my birthday for the past 4 years. It’s the most beautiful gift I ever get."
– Bzz22
My grandmother worked in a clock shop and gifted me an alarm clock for my eight birthday when I was visiting her in Japan for the first time.
It was made of plastic and fits in the palm of my hand. It was probably valued at around $10 but it's a treasure to me still.
The clock face had an illustration of my favorite Japanes manga character named Doraemon from the hugely popular cartooon series about a blue robotic cat from the future who travels back in time to help a young boy navigate social anxieties.
The cartoon meant a lot to me and she knew this. Remains the best present ever and a timeless reminder of my beloved gran.
@jessicachastain/Instagram
