Hi there, come on in.  Thanks, good to see you, too!  At least the rain seems to be letting up.  Can't put anything over on you, can I?  I did indeed enjoy the storms.  Find yourself a seat and I'll grab something from the kitchen.  Hungry?  I haven't shopped recently but I'm sure I can find something that doesn't move on its own.

Dollars are tight - for everyone (mostly).  I've been hearing a lot about holiday shopping and how to cut corners.  I began thinking of those things, as well ... and started remembering some of my favorite gifts I've given over the years.  In a weird way, they come to mind much quicker than favorites I've received.  Some cost quite a bit; some almost nothing unless you count time, imagination and joy in the doing as a price.

There was the dirt bike my whole family got together to buy for my brother when he was probably too young for one.  I'll never forget his face.  Of course, he blistered his entire palm on the exhaust manifold not long afterwards but that's beside the point.  

I got creative for awhile.  Knit my Mom a few sweaters, made crochet stars for Christmas tree ornaments, as well as sewing them together as a tree skirt to match (yes, Mom again).  A few yarn and lace angel tree toppers for friends, and so on.  Hmmm.  What happened to those days?  Must ask myself that sometime.

I gave the man in my life at the time an air compressor for the garage.  Had as much fun getting his sons to help me get it in the house and wrapped (sort of, took two rolls of paper that didn't match) as I did catching his reaction on video.  Many years have passed, but still one of his prized and often used possessions.  Can't beat Craftsman! 

One year, his oldest wanted $200.00 to drive up north to visit his girlfriend after the holiday.  We decided to do it, but I refused to do the "write a check" thing.  How boring is that, I ask you?  I got 200 one dollar bills from a very confused bank teller and we wadded them all up into little balls.  Put a few heavy books in the bottom of a huge box and filled it with styrofoam packing peanuts.  Mixed in 197 wadded dollars.  I wrapped the last three individually and put them in his stocking.  I laughed so hard I cried watching him tediously straighten each bill -  trying to say a sincere thank you through clenched teeth.  Not to mention his first foray into finger cramping.  The best part?  $197.00.  WT..?  He searched that box and recounted those dollars forever, 'til he finally gave up (still slightly worried he'd missed $3.00).  Even he was able to laugh when he found them. 

So many, many more wonderful presents given and received.  All with love.  Tell me!  What was your favorite one?  You decide if it was one treasured by you or remembered for the pleasure it gave another.