Did you receive a gift in Eastleigh today?

Hi gift receivers! If you were in the streets of Eastleigh today for The Point’s Unwrapped Festival, you may well have received 1 of our 93 gifts. It was lovely to meet you. You should have had a card attached to your gift with a gift number on. Below is all of the gifts that were given out today, some with explanations and some without (as they should have been fairly obvious!).

If you weren’t in the streets of Eastleigh today, we’d still love to hear from you as we will be making a performance out of this 93 day experience in the near future.

Here’s the gifts:

Gift 1: Swimming cap
Gift 2: Grease VHS
Gift 3: A link to a film by Spike Jonze
Gift 4: Finger puppets
Gift 4: Rainbow specs
Gift 5: Pushkin prize poem
Gift 5: Puffa jacket
Gift 6: Instant underpants!
Gift 6: Fossilised shark’s teeth
Gift 7: A medal that Nicky got for tap dancing as a child
Gift 8: A happy little tool to massage your head
Gift 9: A watch found in Lewisham by our good friend Ed Wren (the last gift to be given out today – yippee!)
Gift 10: A video made by Nicky of her trip to Southsea seafront
Gift 11: Shin pads worn by Nicky in hockey PE lessons
Gift 12: Strangers secrets
Gift 13: Chocolate covered marshmallows
Gift 13: A sock puppet
Gift 14: Little Miss Sunshine car toy
Gift 14: Homemade keyrings
Gift 15: Homemade mirror
Gift 17: A haiku poem written by Lisa
Gift 18: A photo by Tim Walker
Gift 18: A funny little video on Youtube of a child quoting from movies!
Gift 19: A bin
Gift 20: 100 Things You Should Know About Pyramids book
Gift 21: Lisa’s favourite meal recipe that her dad used to make for her
Gift 21: Swimming goggles
Gift 22: 30 Happy Facts
Gift 22: Funny things that children say booklet
Gift 23: A video made by Lisa’s friend on how to have a good bath!
Gift 23: A psychadelic picture made by Nicky
Gift 26: A hug
Gift 26: A tree made from rolos and smarties
Gift 28: A poem written by nicky about a hedgehog
Gift 30: Nailpolish
Gift 30: A Funky Friends organiser
Gift 32: Bring the Happy – a link to a cool website
Gift 34: The Dundee Evening Telegraph from the day Lisa was born
Gift 34: Lisa learnt the ukulele for you
Gift 35: A CD made by Lisa
Gift 35: A drawing of Jack Sparrow
Gift 36: A glass of orange juice (in a bottle)
Gift 36: A book full of things from other people’s bucket lists
Gift 37: Malcom the broken clay man
Gift 37: A mini origami fortune teller
Gift 38: The many funny faces of Lisa
Gift 40: Homemade humous and pepper dippers
Gift 40: Groovy Chic Mug
Gift 41: Man on Wire book
Gift 42: Lisa’s favourite short story
Gift 42: A snake snap bracelet
Gift 43: Freebie DVDs
Gift 44: A makeup bag
Gift 45: Words of wisedom
Gift 46: Tape player and tapes
Gift 47: A plastic ring
Gift 47: A berroca
Gift 48: A signed Steven Berkoff programme
Gift 49: Happy Go Lucky DVD
Gift 49: Cartoon drawn by Nicky
Gift 50: A handheld phone game from the 90’s!
Gift 52: A compliment – “Your face is my favourite face” 🙂
Gift 52: Rubix cube
Gift 52: Smellies given to Nicky in last Christmas’ secret santa
Gift 54: A smack on the head with a wad of bubble wrap
Gift 54: Recipe cards from the 70’s (we loved the Turkey Man!)
Gift 56: Einaudi sheet music
Gift 57: Bunting made by Lisa
Gift 57: Adult drinking games (thanks for the hug)
Gift 58: Mascara
Gift 59: 10 films you should see – according to Lisa
Gift 61: A homemade candle
Gift 61: A spongebob DVD
Gift 62: Lion King jumper
Gift 62: A mini windmill
Gift 63: A strawberry shower cap
Gift 63: Vanilla body cream
Gift 64: A stickman drawn on a postcard by Lisa
Gift 67: A gyroscope ball
Gift 70: A quokka in a frame – the happiest animal!
Gift 74: Nicky’s troll collection
Gift 75: Solitaire
Gift 76: Popcorn
Gift 77: Lisa’s bobble hat
Gift 77: An original Rainbow Annual
Gift 78: A traditional Scottish wedding dance
Gift 83: A badge given to Nicky during a show
Gift 85: A Lewy Body Society charity band – the gift of awareness
Gift 88: Me to You bear
Gift 89: Incense holder and incense
Gift 89: A sequin picture made by Nicky
Gift 91: A lucky sweatband that got Lisa through her GCSE’s
Gift 91: Nicky’s 2012 Great South Run t-shirt

It was a pleasure to meet you all today. Thanks for receiving our gifts. Feel free to comment and share your thoughts on what happened to you today! And please do Tweet a picture of you with your gift using the hashtag #93Gifts.

Love from Nicky & Lisa xxx

Day 75

Hello it’s Lisa here!

I’m the quiet, okay completely silent, blogger. But today is the day. Day 75 is when I finally tell you all what this lengthy process has been like for me, so far.

All in all it’s been lovely. It’s  nice getting a gift every single day and it’s also very nice trying to think of gifts to give Nicky, Gifts that I think she will enjoy, or find funny or that I know she will like because of a conversation we’ve previously had.

The gifts have also been a way for us to get to know each other better. I’ve learned about Nicky’s obsession with trolls as she was growing up, her fondness for funky handheld games she could buy with her pocket money and her fave piece of music.

She has read all the news from the day I was born, my fave short story and has also learnt a lot about my nosey ways as many of my gifts have involved other peoples secrets and personal messages.

Not being able to spend any money hasn’t beeen as big an issue as I thought it might be, although I do occasionally find myself looking at something in a shop and thinking ‘that would be a great gift for Nicky…if only!’ Maybe she’ll just end up very lucky when her birthday comes around.

I think the biggest thing I’ve realised is that so many little things are gifts, a small act of kindness in a dreary day. Something that will make you smile. Making someone a hot chocolate on a boring Tuesday. A new version of a song that you love. Looking back I think there are a lot of opportunities that me and Nicky have missed where something that we have done for each other could be seen as a gift. A lift somewhere. Help planning a workshop. Instead we have opted for something literal, a physical ‘thing’ we can give. I wonder whether this is because we know a part of the project is to give these gifts to other people so offering a lift to a stranger in an arts festival may not work. I also wonder whether we worry about what other people percieve as a gift. I know I’ve worried people will think I’m copping out by claiming that giving Nicky a hug was a gift. ‘Poor effort’ you might think.

But the aim of this project has been to question what a gift is and I think we really have. I mean hitting Nicky over the head with bubble wrap has got to be a gift on some level right?

If i’m honest the process is getting harder now. 75 days in and I’m running out of ideas and things to give to Nicky. I moved to Eastleigh in November after a huge clearout of ‘junk’ I have the bare minimum in my flat so where Nicky can dig out great childhood memories and games to give me from her family home. I can’t quite match that and have found myself improvising gifts once I arrive at work. Sometimes it’s nice to see how the day goes and get a bit of inspiration as we go along. Sometimes this doesn’t work out to well (remember the bubble wrap I mentioned?)

As we enter the final 18 days of this journey I think we can really push what a gift is. We had ideas before we even started this process of what we might do for a gift. Things like ‘perform a dance for the other person.’ This hasn’t happened yet but there is still time. As we run out of ‘physical gift’ ideas who knows what bizarre things we will call gifts over the coming weeks. Which means the people in Eastleigh will be in for a real treat on the 8th of June!

Well that’s all from me for now. I swear I will blog again. Promise. No really. I will!

Thanks for reading,

Lisa xx

Day 62

Day 62 and daily gift giving now feels like the norm. This isn’t weird anymore; it’s what we do. What will we do after the 93rd day?! How is it going to feel to stop?

Okay deep breath…we’re going in for a 62 Gift catch up. Ready?

1. Swimming cap / jar of 93 words

2. The Psychopath Test book / Grease VHS

3. Spike Jonze film / ecard

4. Finger puppets / Rainbow specs from Bryony Kimmings’ show

5. Pushkin Prize 2003 winning poem / Puffa jacket

6. Instant underpants / Fossilised sharks teeth

7. Pink lady apple / Dance medal

8. ‘Happy Times’ photo album / Happy head massage

9. Magnifying glass / Watch found in Lewisham

10. Talking animal video / Seaside video

11. Necklace / Shin pads

12. Stranger’s secrets / Rope lighting

13. Marshmallows / Sock puppet

14. Little Miss car toy / Homemade keyrings

15. Seeds / Decorated mirror

16. Message from the red Power Ranger / Lovely emails from people

17. Haiku / Rap

18. Tim Walker photo / Movie quotes video

19. Dedicated books website / Bin

20. 100 Things You Should Know About Pyramids / Graze Box voucher

21. Favourite meal recipe / Goggles

22. 30 happy facts / Funny kids pdf

23. How to have a good bath video / Psychedelic drawing

24. Flight of the Conchords video / “Happy Easter Lisa” video

25. Jonathan Bon Fleur phonecall / Pictures of chocolate

26. A hug / Rolo tree

27. One Born Every Minute labour picture / Disposable camera

28. Guessing game photo / Hedgehog poem

29. Nicky rhymes video / Berry Youth Theatre thank you message

30. Nail varnish / Organiser

31. 25 happiest animals / Coffee art

32. ‘Bring the happy’ / Sounds video

33. Hot chocolate / Ukulele book

34. Dundee evening telegraph from the year Lisa was born / Ukulele

35. Mixtape / Jack Sparrow drawing

36. Glass of OJ / Bucket list book

37. Origami fortune teller / Malcolm the clay man

38. Many faces of Lisa photo / Lisa’s cup song

39. Dissertation research / Pictures of Franklin the guinea pig

40. Homemade humous / Groovy Chic mug

41. Yellow belt / Man On Wire book

42. Short story / Snake snap bracelet

43. “Keep calm”… / Freebie DVDs

44. Sofa to sleep on / Make up bag

45. Words of wisdom / Pub condiments

46. Text compliment / Tape player & tapes

47. A ring / Some Berocca

48. Stamps to keep in touch / Signed Steven Berkoff programme

49. Happy Go Lucky DVD / Cartoon

50. Paper clip man / 90s video game

51. Dinner ladies fancy dress partners in crime

52. Compliments from the men / Rubix cube

53. Belgian bun / Secret Santa smellies

54. Smack on the head with a wad of bubble wrap / 70s recipe cards

55. A mutual & meaningful conversation on the train back from London

56. Goat Island devising exercises / I Giorni piano sheet music

57. Personalised bunting / Adult drinking games

58. Mascara / Fruitella

59. 10 film recommendations / Summer fruity drinks recipes

60. 1/2 bar Lindt chilli chocolate / Awful tattoos Buzzfeed

61. Homemade candle / Spongebob DVD

62. Lion King jumper / Mini windmill

So there you have it: a whopping total of 124 gifts so far.

Only 31 days to go!

See you at Eastleigh Unwrapped on 8th June

Nicky & Lisa xx

 

Gift 26

Gift 26 - A hug from Lisa

Day 25: this is harder than I thought

Hey – Nicky here!

So it’s 1st April. April Fools Day. It’s also day 25 of gift giving. 25 out of 93. We’re not even half way there yet, and I already feel like I’m running out of ideas!

We’ve given each other unwanted items from home: a bin, swimming cap, vhs, instant underpants, and a book on pyramids.

We’ve also put a bit of effort in when we’ve had the time/energy: chocolate coated marshmallows, home made videos and a haiku.

To be honest, it’s harder than I thought it would be! Not just to think of ideas, but also to have to think about it every day. Having to think about what gift you will give to the same person every single day for no particular occassion can be quite draining. It’s usually hard enough to buy a birthday present, Christmas present, wedding gift, Christening gift, anniversary gift etc etc. But a gift for 1 person for 93 days in a row is pretty taxing on the brain, especially because I can’t just go to the shop and buy her something.

Some things I’ve noticed:

1. Even when I haven’t got much time, it’s hard not to put the effort in. If I’m honest, I have realised that this has now also become for self satisfaction as well as for Lisa. Feels good to say “I made that” or “I thought of that”…
2. I’ve tried to give a reason or purpose for each gift. This was unintentional at first, but now I can’t stop doing it. E.g. a gift for Easter, a trip to the seaside because you’re stuck in Eastleigh, swimming goggles because you gave me a swimming cap. I don’t need to do that…the reason for the gift is because it’s for the project. But I’m doing it…
3. It intially felt weird receiving a gift every day for no reason. First few days I was excited to see what I’d get, and felt slightly guilty at always receiving something. Now I will happily accept the gift, and it is beginning to feel a normal part of the day.
4. The days when we don’t see each other are becoming really frustrating.
5. Other people are keen to chip in with ideas, or be a part of a gift. These moments have been like extra gifts in themselves.
6. I definitely prefer giving to receiving!
7. Gifts with a memory or personal story attached to them have been my favourite to receive (as well as the chocolate coated marshmallows)
8. We have both given each other a puppet. We have both given each other something to wear when swimming. We have both given each other something from our childhood. We have both given a video. We both gave a gift with the word ‘happy’ in it on the same day.
9. There haven’t been any intentionally ‘horrible’ gifts. Yet.

I am beginning to wonder how we are going to give these gifts to members of the public on 8th June. A lot of them have been quite personal, and some have been temporary. Plus, I ate the apple. And I ate the marshmallows.

Here’s to the next 68 days.

Psst any ideas?

 

1. 

 

Gift 24: It’s all for you Nicola Bellringer

Your questions answered

Why? What’s the point? Why 93? I get what you’re doing but I don’t understand why? Why 8th March? Why 8th June? Why can’t you spend any money? Why are you giving all the gifts away to strangers? Why why why why why why?!

Ok so a few of you have asked us why we’re doing this project! Very valid questions. Here’s some answers.

I get what you’re doing but I don’t understand why?
Nicky wanted to make a performance about gifts. She was thinking about street theatre, and how audiences generally don’t pay for it, but artists bust a gut to make the work especially for those people. Yeah sure the artist may get a commission, or sometimes put down a hat, and the audience are giving something back by watching. But audiences still get it instantly, and for free. The performances are like gifts; generous suprises in a person’s day. N’aww that’s nice isn’t it?

Nicky and Lisa (aka us) started working together at The Point in November. In December Lisa left Nicky a card & bottle of cider on her desk after working together on the youth theatre’s epic Christmas production. It was a bit of a thank you. A bit of a well done for surviving, now here’s a stiff drink. A bit of a “it’s alright working with you” sort of gift. Nicky likes cider. Thoughtful choice. Nicky has given Lisa a couple of lifts as Lisa doesn’t have a car in Eastleigh & recently bought her a chocolate chicken. Nicky hasn’t known Lisa long, but she thinks she’s alright. They’ve shared lots already, but there’s also still so much they don’t know about each other.

How will it feel to receive a gift every single day for 93 days?

How on earth will we come up with 93 gifts for someone we’ve actually only known properly for 5 months?

Why 8th March – 8th June?

The Point are organising a festival in the town centre called Eastleigh Unwrapped. It’s on the 8th June. We’re performing in it. You coming?

Why 93?

We wanted to do something durational, to lead up to our performance on the 8th June. It made sense to create material for the performance by putting our ideas into action. Therefore we decided to give each other a gift everyday. 3 months sounded good. In fact it’s all we’ve got. 8th March – 8th June it is then. That equals 93 days. Nice number. 100 is too obvious. Over 100 would be pointless unless we did it for a year. Steady on! 93 gifts. 186 in total. Sounds good to us?

Why can’t you spend any money?

Could you afford to buy someone a gift for 93 days in a row? We can buy ingredients or materials to make something you wouldn’t be able to buy. We can spend money on credit to make a phonecall, petrol to go get something etc. But the no money rule is part of the challenge and part of a way of testing our thoughts on gift giving, the etiquette surrounding it, and ideas of what qualifies as a gift. Eventually we will have to push those definitions of the word ‘gift’, stalk each other, do creepy things, probably get pissed off with having to think about each other EVERY DAY…

So there’s why! Thanks to everyone who has offered gift suggestions, followed us on Twitter, shared with friends on Facebook and repeatedly asked us why.

Please keep sharing. Day 1 of 93 is TOMORROW. It’s a tough 93 days ahead; Nicky’s scribbled list of gift ideas for Lisa has only got up to 47 (only just over half) and some of those probably won’t be possible.

@nickybellenger
@lisawilliamson2
#93Gifts

Nicky & Lisa x

Here we go…

Hey! Nicky and Lisa here!

We are excited because on Friday we are starting a three month collaboration called 93 Gifts. From the 8th of March until the 8th of June we will give each other a gift every single day, without fail. That’s 93 gifts each, guess where we got our title from…
So, here’s the rules:

• No Money can be spent
• A picture of the gift we receive must be tweeted daily (#93Gifts)
• A gift must be given on the day, every day, even if we don’t see each other

On the 93rd day we will have one hour to give 93 of these gifts to members of the public.

We will be updating our progress on this blog so keep your eyes peeled and follow us on twitter for daily gift images.
@LisaWilliamson2
@NickyBellenger
#93Gifts

Bye for now, Nicky & Lisa x