Perimenopause is making me sentimental this year
There is a special corner of midlife where I’ve started giving gifts that don’t need dusting and don’t require a degree in cable management to operate. Maybe it is perimenopause making me sentimental, or maybe I am just tired of plastic things that light up and break before New Year. Either way, when Black Friday rolls around, I look for presents with heart, not hype.
So if you are hunting for ideas that come from the heart, this year’s collection is really simple.
Popsa for heartfelt gifting
There are moments you swear you will remember forever, then if you’re anything like me right now, forget by the following Tuesday. I have a whole camera roll of them in celebration of my 50 in 50 Challenge this year. But this is where the Popsa app comes in. With smart design automation, it turns your favourite photos into a Photo Book, Photo Ornament, Photo Calendar, or Photo Print in just minutes, even if you’re not confident with tech.
For grandparents, partners, or friends, this is the sort of present that feels priceless. If you are planning festive gifting, Popsa’s Black Friday offers make it a perfect time to create something meaningful without overspending, especially with the cost of living being what it is.
A few people in my life who would love this sort of thing, and possibly in yours too:
- My hubby, H, who documents everything, but rarely prints a thing
- A mum (like me) who treasures memories more than anything shop-bought
- A teen who loves aesthetic keepsakes
- A best friend who just deserves a reminder of how far she has come
Why it fits my midlife mindset
I had my son at 40, and now I’m firmly in that stage of life where time feels both long and short, stressful and relaxing, depending on what day it is. Gifts that bottle the tiny, ordinary moments mean more now than they ever did. Between gym sweat, work deadlines, and making sure Cyrus doesn’t lose a coat or a school jumper again, memories matter. And Popsa’s approach makes them easy to save, with layouts, colour themes, and even generative captions that do all the heavy lifting for you.
A few more thoughtful Black Friday ideas this season
- Choose items that are practical yet personal
- Think experience or memory-based gifts, not clutter
- Small, meaningful treats often have bigger impact than big-ticket tech
NEOM Wellbeing London
Save 25% at NEOM on a Moment of Calm Gift Set. Now £18, this natural, scented candle is
made with essential oils and perfect for creating a soothing, mindful atmosphere. NEOM’s
diffuser range is on 25% off for Black Friday too.
Sanctuary Spa Box of Sleep Gift Set
Encourages winding down and self-care. Carefully crafted to take your stresses away,
discover our three soothing heroes that care for your body and mind. includes 3 sleep-
inducing skincare essentials that are scientifically proven to help you to fall asleep faster and
for longer.
- Sleep Mist: A luscious blend of Jasmine, Patchouli and Frankincense, this mist helps to relax
the body and mind, and improves the quality of sleep. - De-Stress Warming Body Balm: Infused with Ginger and Rosemary Oil, this rich,
moisturising and self-heating body balm helps to relieve tired muscles and
improves circulation. - Beauty Sleep Recovery Mask: Filled with calming Orange Flower Oil and relaxing Lavendar,
this mask restores and revitalises skin while you relax.
- Sleep Mist for mind & body relaxation
- De-Stress Body Balm for circulation & muscle relief
- Beauty Sleep Mask for skin restoration
Get an energy boost with JohnandGinger.co.uk
JohnandGinger has a host of special offers for Black Friday. This includes a Tisserand
aromatherapy energy boost pulse point roller ball. Now £6.50. Perfect for a quick pick-me-up
during busy days.
A treasure trove of mindful gifts with Not On The High Street
If you’re hunting for gifts with a little more thought behind them, Not On The High Street is a
treasure trove of wellness and mindfulness finds. From handcrafted aromatherapy oils to
guided journals and meditative décor, their selection feels personal, unique, and utterly
giftable. Keep an eye on their Black Friday offers, it’s the perfect time to snap up something
beautifully curated without breaking the bank.
- Handcrafted aromatherapy oils
- Guided journals for self-reflection
- Meditative décor items for home
Final thought
Black Friday can feel like a race to grab whatever is left on the virtual shelves, but it doesn’t
have to. This year, I am choosing gifts that reflect the life I am actually living, not the one
social media says I should be living. With the Popsa app, you can turn your memories into a
beautiful keepsake in minutes, a gift that feels personal, thoughtful, and truly meaningful.
What about you, which memories would you turn into a gift?
What memories would you turn into a gift this year?
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Saffron and Cyrus is a Newcastle-based family lifestyle blog, covering health, wellness, days out, travel, reviews, recipes and more from our family life.
The blog is written by new mum over 40, Saffron, with input from hubby H and son, Little C.
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