David Larbi's energy is infectious. We meet over Zoom on an overcast Wednesday morning, but his warmth radiates through the screen. It's no wonder the multi-award-winning creator and bestselling author has racked up nearly two million followers across social media, thanks to his joyful and uplifting poetry.
The day we speak is Larbi’s best friend’s birthday. To celebrate, he’s emailed him a National Trust membership. ‘He's been talking about how material stuff hasn’t been doing it for him lately, and I know he loves to walk around green spaces with his girlfriend. He also loves exploring the history of the UK. I was so gleeful to give him that gift,’ he smiles.
This typifies Larbi’s approach to gifting, which he calls “an active love language”. It’s personal, and a year-round consideration. It’s also what makes him the perfect face for our partnership with Hotel Chocolat, purveyors of mouth-watering chocolate gifts to suit any loved one, all with a tailored touch. As he puts it himself, ‘Hotel Chocolat is the perfect gifting go-to – they have such a tasteful range that there’s truly something for everyone!’
Inspired by Hotel Chocolat’s thoughtful gifting philosophy, we asked Larbi to write an exclusive piece on giving for Good Housekeeping, which you can watch above. We also asked the pro for his tips on nailing gift-giving – you’re welcome.
Enjoy the gift of giving
‘Receiving gifts is at the bottom of my list of love languages, but giving is close to the top. To be loved is to be seen and to be heard, and there is no better way of showing somebody that you see and hear them than to be able to gift them well when the time comes around.
‘Gift giving isn’t only thinking about someone’s birthday the week of. It’s a constant process of listening to everything they’re experiencing in life so I can gift the perfect thing.’
Hotel Chocolat have a range of gifts to suit every budget, from smaller stocking fillers to presents that make a statement. For an extra helping hand in choosing, you can try the brand’s online Love Match quiz, which helps you match your recipient with their ‘chocolate family’ such as nutty, fruity or tipsy, so you can then pick with confidence from a dedicated collection.
Make it thoughtful
‘I'm one of five children, so to get everybody gifts all year round is quite expensive. We always like to mark the occasion, so thought rather than expense has always been key. A thoughtful gift is 10 times better than splurging on something that’s nice in general rather than nice for them.’
As a writer, David always takes time to write a thoughtful message to accompany his gifts. There’s never been an easier, or chicer, way to do this than with Hotel Chocolat’s message wraps, on which you can add a handwritten note to truly tailor your gift to your recipient. Simply choose your wrap, pick up your pen and let your thoughts flow.
Never stop searching
‘I have a friend who struggles with self image. She’s one of those people who is wonderful, but not really aware of it – which is part of what makes them wonderful. She was experiencing a lot of imposter syndrome, and I kept telling her, ‘if you could see yourself the way other people see you, you wouldn't have these doubts.’
‘When I was travelling in Korea, I found a decorative mirror, brought it home for her and added a note which said “when you see yourself through this mirror, it’s not through your own eyes but through the eyes of everybody who cares about you and is so proud of you”.’
Take notes
‘Part of the reason I know how to gift is because I’ve been given a huge amount of love in my life. I’ve learned through the people around me. An old girlfriend once bought me a tulip pendant because they’re my favourite flowers. She said “you give a lot to other people, but I want to make sure that you are perpetually receiving your own flowers back”. That really touched me.
‘My birthday is December 30th, and my dad's is the 28th, so sometimes we’d get all of our gifts on Christmas Day. I think that influenced me to make sure everyone gets to feel special on their days and has something to unwrap.’
Presentation is key
‘I can wrap neatly, but one of my favourite things to do is to watch videos of people wrapping things beautifully. I'm not at that level yet, with the ribbons and accoutrements. But I can wrap something irregularly-shaped neatly.’
Shop deliciously thoughtful gifts at Hotel Chocolat