Latest news with #giftgiving
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Taylor Swift's Personal Gift to Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco Revealed
Originally appeared on E! Online Taylor Swift is a mastermind when it comes to gift-giving. The 'Anti-Hero' singer's present for longtime best friend Selena Gomez and her fiancé Benny Blanco has been revealed—and the package included several thoughtful goodies. In a photo shared to Instagram Story July 22, Benny posted a photo of the wicker basket sent by Taylor sitting on top of a marble countertop. And inside the container was a round, golden loaf of bread wrapped in a paper bag labeled with a hand-written sticker reading, "homemade sourdough." "It's a loaf story," Taylor wrote on another tag adorned with lavender flowers, hilariously nodding to her 2008 song "Love Story," while adding a third sticker that said, "Love, Taylor." And a delicious slice of bread isn't all Taylor had to offer Selena and Benny, who announced their engagement back in December following one year of dating. The 35-year-old also appeared to include bottles of olive oil and balsamic vinegar to pair with the savory treat, as well as a $78 candle from Le Labo in the scent Encens 9. More from E! Online Ozzy Osbourne Suffered "5 Years of Absolute Hell" Before Death Erik Menendez Diagnosed With "Serious Medical Condition" Ozzy Osbourne, Rock Legend, Dead at 76 However, a sweet gift is far from the only way Taylor has showed up for Selena as of late. Earlier this week, the Grammy winner stepped out in Los Angeles for the "Hands to Myself" singer's 33rd birthday party, with the besties even posing alongside each other at one point in their disco-themed ensembles. Of course, Selena and Taylor's close friendship is nothing new. The pair have been open about how important they are to each other since first forming a connection in 2008, when they were both dating members of the Jonas Brothers. (Taylor was linked to Joe Jonas while Selena dated Nick Jonas.) In fact, Selena recently revealed that Taylor is one of the first people she turns to when she records new music. 'With Taylor, I value her opinion so much because she's super honest,' Selena said during an interview with iHeardRadio March 27. 'So, I always play her—on any of my albums—like the top two [songs]. I like to see what she says. And she's done the same.' As for Taylor? The "Bejeweled" singer already knows how she plans to cheer her BFF on when she ties the knot with Benny. As she wrote under Selena's engagement announcement back in December, 'Yes I will be the flower girl.' For more adorable BFF moments between Taylor and Selena, read on... Summer SelfieKissesVMAs ReunionFourth of July 2023Independence Day SelfieSelena Turns 30Selena's 30th BirthdaySelfie Sistersreputation DuetSharing the StageGrammys DatesSo Many Hugs!Power of ThreeHugs!iHeartRadio BFFs1989 Tour FunVMAs DatesCamila's Girl GroupBirthday BashMore AMAs LoveMermaid StyleMet Gala BestiesBack in the of the Woods For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Buying gifts for family is a merry-go-round – it's a relief when you stop'
Beneath the surface of any happy family exchanging gifts, there's often a seething vipers' nest of hurt and resentment. At least one (child-free) person will be mentally calculating the dizzying cost of buying for 10 nieces and nephews and receiving a cheap calendar in return, another will be fuming because they weren't included in the present-buying kitty and a child will be eyeing their cousin's birthday bonanza with bitter envy. Family gift-giving goes way beyond Christmas, running through anniversaries ('We got Mum and Dad a trip to the Maldives, but I'm sure they loved your framed photo'), birthdays and holiday souvenirs, whereby you give them a £200 voucher for looking after the pets and they return the favour with a paperweight from Marbella airport. It's all a sure-fire recipe for burning resentment. 'At nine, my son is significantly younger than my three siblings' children,' says Alex Keyes*, 40, from Bristol. 'Some years ago, in a conversation about how to navigate Christmas, they all decided it was better to just buy for the children and not the adults. No one told me, and I ended up buying for all the adults and children – and didn't get anything in return.' It wasn't so much not having a present that stung, she explains, as 'not being considered. I was starting out in my career, with only one income paying the mortgage, and they didn't think of the financial or emotional impact of realising I'd been forgotten.' 'Within families, acts like gift-giving have the capacity to transport us back in time,' says Georgina Sturmer, a British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy counsellor. 'Giving and receiving gifts isn't just about the present moment – it can reignite old feelings around how we were treated when we were younger, patterns of behaviour within families, old and unresolved resentments.' Because the family dynamic can trigger intensely negative past feelings around 'unfairness', 'they can spill over when our inner child or teenager takes over', says Sturmer. It's not just the nature of the gift (or not) that can hurt, adds Sturmer – it's what it means about a sibling or family relationship. ''Gift-giving involves layers of emotional pressure,' she explains. 'The amount we spend, the choices we make and the way the gift may come to represent the relationship itself.' The cost of living crisis is making the financial toll on those who wind up shelling out more even worse. 'My husband and I haven't bought Christmas presents for years,' says professional organiser Karen Powell from Surrey. 'Last year, I agreed a £20 limit with my sister. This year we're not buying at all and will meet to do something nice and spend the day together. 'I have clients who have Christmas and birthday presents from last year unopened,' she adds. 'We all have so much, it's too much. It is so overwhelming! I see a lot of family dilemmas around gift-giving and, often, people are so relieved to get off that merry-go-round.' 'One year, I gave 40 people presents and got virtually nothing back,' says financial adviser Polly Arrowsmith from London. 'After that, I explained to my friends that I was no longer buying presents, which was a relief for me.' Family is equally fraught around gifting issues, she adds. 'I do spend a lot more on my family than they do on me and I make way more effort. One of my close family members is notorious for setting a strict budget of £50 – and, generally, they then forget,' Arrowsmith admits. 'They have a friend for whom they'll buy things like an iPad. But when I asked them to contribute towards my sister's 60th birthday present, they said no.' She used to find that attitude upsetting, but now says: 'I had to learn to accept that I have a different love language.' Not everyone employs gift-giving to show affection and esteem, agrees Sturmer. 'We all have different preferences when it comes to receiving affection,' she says. 'For some, receiving gifts isn't high on the list – we might prefer another 'love language', such as words of affirmation, quality time, acts of service and physical touch.' If there's an imbalance, and you – or one of your siblings – is caught in the 'forking out and not receiving' trap, it's worth mentioning. 'Often in families, traditions become entrenched and nobody questions them even if they no longer serve a purpose,' says Sturmer. Author Melissa McNally, from Hampshire, recalls: 'Last Christmas, my father-in law came to me and joked: 'It's your fault I'm poor'. Before his son met me, there was just him and his grandson to buy for,' she explains. 'For the past eight years, he's had to buy for me, my daughter, my son, his wife, my stepson – he's a pensioner and admitted he can't really afford it.' Meanwhile, McNally had similar concerns. 'There are a few of us in the family who earn really good money, and those who don't, so the balance seems uneven. After Christmas we all agreed not to buy presents this year but to put £100 each in a pot and spend it on an experience or a weekend away,' she explains. 'I think it's a lovely idea, and it makes the occasion more joyful – concentrating on being together, rather than what we're receiving.' Author and speaker Ani Naqvi from London is all too aware of the imbalance in her family. While she is child-free, her only sibling is a mother of four. 'I also have nine cousins,' she adds. 'In our culture, every birthday, graduation, anniversary, Eid, we give gifts. My mum gives lots of gifts to others, but she doesn't get as much in return. It's the same for me. I have my nieces and nephews to buy for as well as godchildren and close friends.' For Naqvi, however, it's less of a problem and more an opportunity to show affection. 'I find so much joy in giving and don't expect to receive the same back,' she insists. 'In times of financial hardship I would still give but a bit less.' She says it's down to her 'abundance mindset': 'When you give freely, with no expectation of receiving, you get rewarded in different ways.' For big occasions, she adds, her family will pool their money for a joint gift. 'Those doing well put in a bit more. It all works out in the end.' If you're struggling to feel as Zen, though, speak up now, says Sturmer. 'Don't leave it until family members have already started stockpiling their Christmas gifts.' Family relationships can be complex and tangled, she adds, 'so use 'I' statements to stop yourself from being drawn into an old, unhelpful dynamic – calmly stating how you feel, rather than apportioning blame'. Although family gifts are rooted in tradition, expectation and celebration, if you're overspending, mired in complex Amazon wish-lists and resenting the whole thing, it's time to take a step back. 'Sometimes it's important to look past the objects that we are purchasing and remember the true intention behind the giving,' says Sturmer. 'What are we trying to communicate in our gift? Perhaps it's gratitude, appreciation or simply an acknowledgement of our relationship.' And if you do decide to pool your resources, remember to tell everyone in the family. Sometimes, feeling included is the real gift. *Name has been changed Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
16-07-2025
- General
- Telegraph
‘Buying gifts for family is a merry-go-round – it's a relief when you stop'
Beneath the surface of any happy family exchanging gifts, there's often a seething vipers' nest of hurt and resentment. At least one (child-free) person will be mentally calculating the dizzying cost of buying for 10 nieces and nephews and receiving a cheap calendar in return, another will be fuming because they weren't included in the present-buying kitty and a child will be eyeing their cousin's birthday bonanza with bitter envy. Family gift-giving goes way beyond Christmas, running through anniversaries ('We got Mum and Dad a trip to the Maldives, but I'm sure they loved your framed photo'), birthdays and holiday souvenirs, whereby you give them a £200 voucher for looking after the pets and they return the favour with a paperweight from Marbella airport. It's all a sure-fire recipe for burning resentment. 'At nine, my son is significantly younger than my three siblings' children,' says Alex Keyes*, 40, from Bristol. 'Some years ago, in a conversation about how to navigate Christmas, they all decided it was better to just buy for the children and not the adults. No one told me, and I ended up buying for all the adults and children – and didn't get anything in return.' It wasn't so much not having a present that stung, she explains, as 'not being considered. I was starting out in my career, with only one income paying the mortgage, and they didn't think of the financial or emotional impact of realising I'd been forgotten.' 'Within families, acts like gift-giving have the capacity to transport us back in time,' says Georgina Sturmer, a British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy counsellor. 'Giving and receiving gifts isn't just about the present moment – it can reignite old feelings around how we were treated when we were younger, patterns of behaviour within families, old and unresolved resentments.' Because the family dynamic can trigger intensely negative past feelings around 'unfairness', 'they can spill over when our inner child or teenager takes over', says Sturmer. It's not just the nature of the gift (or not) that can hurt, adds Sturmer – it's what it means about a sibling or family relationship. '' Gift-giving involves layers of emotional pressure,' she explains. 'The amount we spend, the choices we make and the way the gift may come to represent the relationship itself.' The cost of living crisis is making the financial toll on those who wind up shelling out more even worse. 'My husband and I haven't bought Christmas presents for years,' says professional organiser Karen Powell from Surrey. 'Last year, I agreed a £20 limit with my sister. This year we're not buying at all and will meet to do something nice and spend the day together. 'I have clients who have Christmas and birthday presents from last year unopened,' she adds. ' We all have so much, it's too much. It is so overwhelming! I see a lot of family dilemmas around gift-giving and, often, people are so relieved to get off that merry-go-round.' 'One year, I gave 40 people presents and got virtually nothing back,' says financial adviser Polly Arrowsmith from London. 'After that, I explained to my friends that I was no longer buying presents, which was a relief for me.' Family is equally fraught around gifting issues, she adds. 'I do spend a lot more on my family than they do on me and I make way more effort. One of my close family members is notorious for setting a strict budget of £50 – and, generally, they then forget,' Arrowsmith admits. 'They have a friend for whom they'll buy things like an iPad. But when I asked them to contribute towards my sister's 60th birthday present, they said no.' She used to find that attitude upsetting, but now says: 'I had to learn to accept that I have a different love language.' Not everyone employs gift-giving to show affection and esteem, agrees Sturmer. 'We all have different preferences when it comes to receiving affection,' she says. 'For some, receiving gifts isn't high on the list – we might prefer another 'love language', such as words of affirmation, quality time, acts of service and physical touch.' If there's an imbalance, and you – or one of your siblings – is caught in the 'forking out and not receiving' trap, it's worth mentioning. 'Often in families, traditions become entrenched and nobody questions them even if they no longer serve a purpose,' says Sturmer. Author Melissa McNally, from Hampshire, recalls: 'Last Christmas, my father-in law came to me and joked: 'It's your fault I'm poor'. Before his son met me, there was just him and his grandson to buy for,' she explains. 'For the past eight years, he's had to buy for me, my daughter, my son, his wife, my stepson – he's a pensioner and admitted he can't really afford it.' Meanwhile, McNally had similar concerns. 'There are a few of us in the family who earn really good money, and those who don't, so the balance seems uneven. After Christmas we all agreed not to buy presents this year but to put £100 each in a pot and spend it on an experience or a weekend away,' she explains. 'I think it's a lovely idea, and it makes the occasion more joyful – concentrating on being together, rather than what we're receiving.' Author and speaker Ani Naqvi from London is all too aware of the imbalance in her family. While she is child-free, her only sibling is a mother of four. 'I also have nine cousins,' she adds. 'In our culture, every birthday, graduation, anniversary, Eid, we give gifts. My mum gives lots of gifts to others, but she doesn't get as much in return. It's the same for me. I have my nieces and nephews to buy for as well as godchildren and close friends.' For Naqvi, however, it's less of a problem and more an opportunity to show affection. 'I find so much joy in giving and don't expect to receive the same back,' she insists. 'In times of financial hardship I would still give but a bit less.' She says it's down to her 'abundance mindset': 'When you give freely, with no expectation of receiving, you get rewarded in different ways.' For big occasions, she adds, her family will pool their money for a joint gift. 'Those doing well put in a bit more. It all works out in the end.' If you're struggling to feel as Zen, though, speak up now, says Sturmer. 'Don't leave it until family members have already started stockpiling their Christmas gifts.' Family relationships can be complex and tangled, she adds, 'so use 'I' statements to stop yourself from being drawn into an old, unhelpful dynamic – calmly stating how you feel, rather than apportioning blame'. Although family gifts are rooted in tradition, expectation and celebration, if you're overspending, mired in complex Amazon wish-lists and resenting the whole thing, it's time to take a step back. 'Sometimes it's important to look past the objects that we are purchasing and remember the true intention behind the giving,' says Sturmer. 'What are we trying to communicate in our gift? Perhaps it's gratitude, appreciation or simply an acknowledgement of our relationship.' And if you do decide to pool your resources, remember to tell everyone in the family. Sometimes, feeling included is the real gift.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Couple Decides Not to Chip in for Expensive Group Birthday Gift. Now Their Friends Are Calling Them 'Rude'
A Reddit user is asking for advice after a friend expected her to pitch in for lavish birthday gifts, including a Gucci bag The woman revealed on the platform's 'Am I the A------' forum that a friend told her he expected her to pay for an expensive dinner bill after she didn't help pay for a group gift "Suddenly we're being labeled as the rude ones just because we made a different choice this time based on our current situation," she wroteA woman is reconsidering her friend group's expectations for gift-giving — and she's asking the internet for some advice. On Wednesday, July 9, a 29-year-old woman revealed on Reddit's popular "Am I the A-----e" forum that she and her husband, 35, are part of "a close group of friends" who often celebrate birthdays together. And while the "birthday person" usually "hosts and pays for everyone," things have been different lately, she explained. "About a year ago, this weird new tradition started," the original poster wrote. "For each birthday, someone opens a WhatsApp group and says, 'Let's all chip in for this really expensive gift.' We're talking about things like Hermes flip-flops, Formula 1 tickets, Gucci bags. It's all very public and a bit uncomfortable to say no." The Redditor continued, "My husband and I have always gone along with it, even though it's felt a bit much at times. For example, we paid around €300 towards a €1,500 Formula 1 ticket for my husband's best friend, let's call him Tom." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. While it felt "OK" at the time, the couple — who are already parents to one child and trying for another — has since opened a new, self-funded business. And now, they no longer feel comfortable taking part in the "expensive group gifts." When her husband's birthday came around weeks back, the woman opted to not start a WhatsApp group. Without a gift to pitch in for, Tom gave the husband a "nice bottle of tequila worth around €100," or roughly $116. Two weeks later, it was time for Tom's girlfriend's birthday. And while Tom opened a group chat, the Reddit user and her husband instead opted to buy her a €120 massage voucher as a gift, worth around $140. "Her birthday was held at a really fancy and expensive beach restaurant. We went, enjoyed the event, had fun and made sure the birthday girl had a blast," the original poster wrote. "A few days later, Tom wrote in the group that the bill was €3,000 and said that if anyone would like to contribute, they could. I told my husband I didn't want to chip in. We didn't choose the place. We gave her a gift. And again, we're being more mindful about money right now. He obviously agreed." Tom saw things differently. As the woman explained, the friend privately messaged her husband and said he "expected us to help with the dinner bill since we didn't join the group gift." "He said our €100 gift wasn't enough, brought up the fact that we had always participated before, including for his Formula 1 ticket, and said we were being jerks for not pitching in at all this time," she wrote. "I honestly don't understand it. I've never once complained about the gifts we got. I've always been thankful. But suddenly we're being labeled as the rude ones just because we made a different choice this time based on our current situation." Ultimately, other Reddit users wrote that they felt the original poster wasn't the "a------" in the situation, with the most-upvoted response reading that "serving you with a bill after the fact, without informing you before the event that this would be expected is not a fair friendly move." "If Tom wants to buy expensive gucci bags to his girlfriend and plan 3K dinners, that's great, but he can't expect the same level of chipping in from everyone else," the user wrote. "It's his girlfriend, not everyone's. If Tom was a good friend he wouldn't have stepped on multiple boundaries and calling you 'jerks?'... For not paying for his ideas." As for the couple, they "realized we might not have been as clear as we thought" after seeing Reddit's response and opted to send the following message to their friends: "Hi guys, first of all, we love you all. Just wanted to say we're no longer participating in the group gift tradition. With our growing family and the new business, we're trying to be more mindful with money. We'll always celebrate you in our own way. Thanks for understanding.' While their friends were "super supportive" and decided to stop the tradition altogether, Tom claimed he "felt passive aggressive and like we were throwing shade," and his girlfriend said they've "ruined the tradition for everyone." Another couple going through IVF told the couple they too "felt uncomfortable with the pressure but didn't know how to say it." "It stirred things up a bit, but it also helped more people feel comfortable. So I think it was worth it," she concluded. Read the original article on People
UAE Moments
17-06-2025
- UAE Moments
China Travel Tips: Must-Know Cultural Do's & Don'ts
10 Cultural Facts About China You Must Know Before Visiting China is a country with 5,000 years of history, deep traditions, and unique social customs. To avoid awkward moments (or even offense), here are key cultural insights every traveler should know. 1. The Concept of "Face" (面子 – Miànzi) ✅ What It Means: "Face" represents dignity, respect, and social standing . Losing face (丢脸 – Diūliǎn) is a major social faux pas. 📌 How to Avoid Mistakes: Never publicly criticize or embarrass someone. If you receive a compliment, modestly downplay it (e.g., "Oh, I'm not that good"). 2. Gift-Giving Etiquette ✅ Do's & Don'ts: Do give gifts with both hands (a sign of respect). Don't give clocks, umbrellas, or white flowers (associated with funerals). Money in red envelopes (红包 – Hóngbāo) is common for weddings & holidays. 3. Dining Customs – It's Not Just Chopsticks! ✅ Key Rules: Never stick chopsticks upright in rice (resembles funeral incense). The host usually orders for the group—don't insist on choosing dishes. Burping is sometimes acceptable (means the food was good). 4. Tea Culture – More Than Just Drinking ✅ The Right Way to Accept Tea: Tap the table twice with two fingers to thank someone pouring for you. Never fill your own cup first—always serve others before yourself. 5. Superstitions & Lucky Numbers ✅ Lucky vs. Unlucky: 8 (八 – Bā) = Luckiest number (sounds like "wealth"). 4 (四 – Sì) = Avoided (sounds like "death"). Red = Good luck, white/black = Funerals. 6. Personal Space Doesn't Really Exist ✅ What to Expect: Crowded public transport? Normal. People might stand very close in lines or touch your arm while talking. Don't take it personally—it's just cultural. 7. Bargaining Is Expected (In Some Places) ✅ Where to Haggle: Street markets, small shops → Yes. Malls, supermarkets → No. Start at 50% of the asking price and negotiate politely. 8. Don't Tip – It's Not a Thing ✅ Why? Tipping can be seen as insulting (implies the worker needs charity). Exception: High-end hotels catering to foreigners. 9. Toilet Paper? Bring Your Own! ✅ Bathroom Reality Check: Many public restrooms don't provide toilet paper . Squat toilets are still common—be prepared! 10. Politics & Sensitive Topics Are Off-Limits ✅ Avoid Discussing: Taiwan, Tibet, Xinjiang, or the Chinese government. The Great Firewall & VPNs (locals know, but don't bring it up). Final Tip: Observe & Adapt Chinese culture values harmony and subtlety. When in doubt, watch how locals act and follow their lead.
