I always struggle when it comes to buying gifts during the festive seasons. In fact, I used to think that festive seasons are just public holidays. Is there a need to celebrate? Like counting down and exchanging gifts? To be honest, I can't even remember the last time I celebrated Christmas. Or did I? I don't know, but this time it's different because I'm attached to a lovergirl, so something special must be done!
Special like what? No idea.
Since I'm lame with gifts and stuffs, I went around asking friends and colleagues for advice, hoping that someone can give me an exotic idea for a Christmas gift. But most of their ideas are quite common like plush toys, chocolates, cute crystal decorations, necklace, bracelets and the sort. Simple things that you can just buy off the shelves and wrap it up. Sounds like celebrating a birthday huh? Taa daa.
Now don't get me wrong, I don't mind simple stuffs. In fact, I'm quite sure Sally would be happy with whatever I buy for her. But somehow I felt that those stuffs are abit too normal. I don't think it's just about spending money and wrapping gifts. I wanted it to be something personal, so that it truly makes a difference. It's definitely not just a gift.
After a few days of thinking, I finally decided to design something for Sally. I'm not a graphic designer, but that's the whole point. Doing something extraordinary! Ok, nothing out of the world, but acceptable lah. I used Macromedia Flash to design a simple logo for us. Here's my mushy design:
Original design - self proclaimed hottest couple
Nice?
It took me a few hours, but it's worth it. Even the heart shape is manually drawn. Done! But wait. Of course, the logo itself is not enough. It has to be printed somewhere so that Sally can see it everyday. I uploaded the design to CafePress.com, a website that allows custom images to be printed on a wide variety of gift items such as t-shirts, magnets, etc. So in reality, it's a 2-in-1 gift, the logo that I designed for us and the souvenier that it will be printed on.
After going through the list of gift items, I chose a ceramic mug, for two reasons (1) it's practical and can be used everyday (2) I don't quite like the DHL mug that Sally used in office.
So on December 16th 2008, I placed my order and waited patiently. On 19th, my mug was processed, wrapped up and sent on an international flight. Based on the UPS tracker, the mug took a trip across the world from US to Taiwan, and finally reached Singapore on 22nd. Sounds like a very tiring journey. Haha too bad.
Delivery from CafePress.com
After opening the box, I was totally delighted and satisfied with the quality of the mug, and our "Freaker Loves Sally" logo printed on it. This is so cool!
Our very own "Freaker Loves Sally" ceramic mug!
To give a better sense of the mug size, here's a comparison with my Star Wars: Force Unleashed PSP UMD cover box.
Roughly 7.5" tall
Exciting huh? But that's not the end, because there are more interesting stuffs to be done. Wrapping it up! I recalled once upon a time when my cousin actually thought me a simple technique to wrap gifts. Here are some photos of the entire process.
Step 1: Prepare all the necessary materials
Step 2: Use a DIY gift box with the proper measurements
Step 3: Wrap the gift in bubble-wraps and put inside the box
Step 4: To make things more interesting, let's put a semi-transparent paper on top to keep the recipient guessing. Eh? Is that a pair of Charles & Keith heels?
Step 5: If your box is not pretty enough, you'll need a gift wrapper
Step 6: Fold the wrapper into 3 layers like this
Step 7: Continue to wrap the gift as usual
Step 8: Taa daa, all done! But for some unknown reasons, when I look at this picture, it feels like there's really a pair of Charles & Keith heels inside.
Seriously, this is not the end yet. Relax, here comes the finale. A gift, I repeat... a gift is nothing without a love letter to go with it. This is the hardest part for me because my handwriting downright sucks. But I've been putting in so much effort since the beginning there's no turning back now. I actually took out a piece of paper to practise writing a-z, A-Z in preparation for the love letter.
After about 45 minutes of practise, my handwriting still sucks. But who cares already! Here it is!
The love letter
I'm going to office earlier tomorrow to place the gift and letter on Sally's table. If she looks at me, I'm gonna act blur. "What? Not me" Hehe. Hopefully this will be a pleasant surprise for her.
To my readers out there, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you!
Special like what? No idea.
Since I'm lame with gifts and stuffs, I went around asking friends and colleagues for advice, hoping that someone can give me an exotic idea for a Christmas gift. But most of their ideas are quite common like plush toys, chocolates, cute crystal decorations, necklace, bracelets and the sort. Simple things that you can just buy off the shelves and wrap it up. Sounds like celebrating a birthday huh? Taa daa.
Now don't get me wrong, I don't mind simple stuffs. In fact, I'm quite sure Sally would be happy with whatever I buy for her. But somehow I felt that those stuffs are abit too normal. I don't think it's just about spending money and wrapping gifts. I wanted it to be something personal, so that it truly makes a difference. It's definitely not just a gift.
After a few days of thinking, I finally decided to design something for Sally. I'm not a graphic designer, but that's the whole point. Doing something extraordinary! Ok, nothing out of the world, but acceptable lah. I used Macromedia Flash to design a simple logo for us. Here's my mushy design:
Nice?
It took me a few hours, but it's worth it. Even the heart shape is manually drawn. Done! But wait. Of course, the logo itself is not enough. It has to be printed somewhere so that Sally can see it everyday. I uploaded the design to CafePress.com, a website that allows custom images to be printed on a wide variety of gift items such as t-shirts, magnets, etc. So in reality, it's a 2-in-1 gift, the logo that I designed for us and the souvenier that it will be printed on.
After going through the list of gift items, I chose a ceramic mug, for two reasons (1) it's practical and can be used everyday (2) I don't quite like the DHL mug that Sally used in office.
So on December 16th 2008, I placed my order and waited patiently. On 19th, my mug was processed, wrapped up and sent on an international flight. Based on the UPS tracker, the mug took a trip across the world from US to Taiwan, and finally reached Singapore on 22nd. Sounds like a very tiring journey. Haha too bad.
After opening the box, I was totally delighted and satisfied with the quality of the mug, and our "Freaker Loves Sally" logo printed on it. This is so cool!
To give a better sense of the mug size, here's a comparison with my Star Wars: Force Unleashed PSP UMD cover box.
Exciting huh? But that's not the end, because there are more interesting stuffs to be done. Wrapping it up! I recalled once upon a time when my cousin actually thought me a simple technique to wrap gifts. Here are some photos of the entire process.
Step 1: Prepare all the necessary materials
Step 2: Use a DIY gift box with the proper measurements
Step 3: Wrap the gift in bubble-wraps and put inside the box
Step 4: To make things more interesting, let's put a semi-transparent paper on top to keep the recipient guessing. Eh? Is that a pair of Charles & Keith heels?
Step 5: If your box is not pretty enough, you'll need a gift wrapper
Step 6: Fold the wrapper into 3 layers like this
Step 7: Continue to wrap the gift as usual
Step 8: Taa daa, all done! But for some unknown reasons, when I look at this picture, it feels like there's really a pair of Charles & Keith heels inside.
Seriously, this is not the end yet. Relax, here comes the finale. A gift, I repeat... a gift is nothing without a love letter to go with it. This is the hardest part for me because my handwriting downright sucks. But I've been putting in so much effort since the beginning there's no turning back now. I actually took out a piece of paper to practise writing a-z, A-Z in preparation for the love letter.
After about 45 minutes of practise, my handwriting still sucks. But who cares already! Here it is!
I'm going to office earlier tomorrow to place the gift and letter on Sally's table. If she looks at me, I'm gonna act blur. "What? Not me" Hehe. Hopefully this will be a pleasant surprise for her.
To my readers out there, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you!
