I loved your article!
Interesting, for the past couple of years our children (adults now) draw names at Christmas and we are also included. The first year it was hard to not buy our adult children something but it has become easier. We all have what we need right. So instead of getting several gifts from lots of people we receive one and it is just fine. My gift to my children is homemade canned goods. Each year I expand my products. This years new item is dried tomatoes from our garden canned in olive oil. There are also special items each seem to enjoy like whole tomatoes, pears, peaches, etc. Harvest time at the “farm” is busy drying food, jams, jellys and new stuff. You are right the time spent on making these goods is time spent thinking of them.
The other thing we do is give to a special charity. We may buy presents for children at our church by selecting a tag from the Christmas Tree. These kids become special because we think of the items they ask for and trust me it isn’t the ipod! My mother doesn’t really need much so I give in her name to a charity I know she loves to help.

I will be checking your website. It looks great.

Beautiful and warm site. i especially enjoyed the article – My Dog Turned into a Cat. So relevant for me now.

i will recommend you to any of my friends in need or with interest. Good Luck.

Claudia