Gift Ideas for a Cancerian: 12 Presents, Reviewed by Canny the Crab
Looking for gift ideas for a Cancerian? Buying for a Cancer (21 June – 22 July) is lovely, because they’ll treasure whatever you give them. Literally. They have a drawer of treasured things. It includes a cinema ticket from 2009 and a pebble from a nice afternoon.
Cancer is ruled by the Moon, and feels things deeply. Home, family, friends and memories matter more to a Cancer than anything with a price tag. Their Astrominal is Canny the Crab, who takes home everywhere and has feelings in both claws.
We asked Canny to review twelve gift ideas. Canny cried at four of them. Happy tears. Mostly.
1. A photo album of you two
Printed photos, real pages, captions in your handwriting.
Canny says: “Oh no. Oh no, that’s the beach day. I’m fine. I’ve got something in my eye. It’s a feeling.”
2. A blank family recipe book
Somewhere to keep Nan’s crumble and the soup that fixes everything.
Canny says: “Recipes are just love with measurements. Some of Nan’s measurements were ‘a bit’. I’ve written down ‘a bit’.”
3. A really soft throw
For wrapping up in, and for wrapping other people up in.
Canny says: “Is this for me? Or is it for when someone visits and they look cold? It’s both. It’s always both.”
4. A star map of a special night
A print of the sky as it looked on a birthday, a wedding, or the day you met.
Canny says: “That’s the actual Moon? From that actual night? I’m going to need a minute. And a frame. And another minute.”
5. A memory jar
A jar of folded notes, each one a favourite moment you’ve shared.
Canny says: “I’ll read one a day. No. I’ll read them all tonight. Then I’ll read them again. Then I’ll ring you.”
6. A houseplant that needs looking after
Cancers like caring for things. Give them something to care for.
Canny says: “I’ve named it already. It’s called Gerald. Gerald is doing very well, and I’m proud of him.”
7. A slow cooker
For the Cancer who feeds everyone who walks through the door.
Canny says: “Stew for six. There are three of us. That’s fine. Someone always turns up.”
8. A family games night box
Board games, snacks and an evening with everyone round one table.
Canny says: “I don’t mind who wins. I mind that everyone’s here. Also I’m quite good at it. Also I mind a little bit who wins.”
9. Something handmade
A drawing, a knitted thing, a wonky clay bowl.
Canny says: “You made this? With your hands? It’s going on the shelf. It’s going on the GOOD shelf.”
10. A candle that smells like home
Cotton, fresh bread, warm vanilla.
Canny says: “Home already smells like home. But now it can smell like home twice.”
11. A day out for the whole family
A picnic, a seaside trip, anywhere everyone can come.
Canny says: “I’ll bring sandwiches. I’ll bring a spare cardigan for whoever forgets theirs. Someone always forgets theirs.”
12. An Astrominals Cancer birthday card
Whatever you choose, put it with a card that understands them. The Astrominals zodiac birthday cards feature Canny, making a cosy space for everyone Canny loves, framed by a border of true-to-sign Cancer traits.
Canny says: “I’m keeping it forever. In the drawer. With the pebble.”
Canny’s three rules for buying a Cancer a present
- Make it personal. “I’d rather have a note you wrote than a voucher you bought.”
- Remember things. “If you remember something I said once, that’s the present. The rest is wrapping.”
- Hand it over in person. “Then I can hug you. You’ll be hugged. Prepare yourself.”
So, which present would Canny choose?
Canny says: “Honestly? I’d just like everyone round for tea. And maybe the photo album. And maybe a tissue.”
Not sure which Astrominal you’re buying for? Take the quiz, or meet Canny the Crab and the rest of Team Water.
Astrological and zoological. Illogically logical.