I've been having an issue where I can't get a mod for LooseSprites/Giftbox to load until I actually click on the giftbox.

Patch summary says this:

Toned Down Giftbox:
-------------------

   Patches:
      loaded  | conditions | applied | name + details
      ------- | ---------- | ------- | --------------
      [X]     | [X]        | [ ]     | Load LooseSprites/Giftbox

Can you double check to see if CP is loading in changes for that file?
Sorry, it's so minor a thing, but the color has been bugging me for YEARS.
[CP] Toned Down Giftbox.zip

Fixed in the upcoming SMAPI 3.12.7 and 3.13.0-beta. Thanks for reporting it!