Dear Lynn, and Lace-makers,
> >
> > So what have your favorite Christmas gifts been, that didn't cost much?
> >
Time and energy! (It's the thought that counts . . . !)
The best ones I've received all seem to have been occasions when others have
really considered what was getting in my way, and cleared it away for me.
The gifts of freedom, and peace of mind.
Such as when I was feeling low, having come out of hospital with strict
orders to rest, but had to try to do it looking at a home that was a mess:
my friend went into the kitchen to make me a hot drink, and didn't go home
until she'd cleared a mountain of washing up and an acre of sticky surfaces.
Such as taking dictation when I was weary and arthritic, but had a mountain
of paperwork looming over me. Such as helping me to finish cherished
projects that were becoming impossible because something had cropped up.
Such as the gift of portions of their own home-made food for the two of us,
and sincere good wishes, so that we felt part of their festivities. Such as
anything home-made - and this includes letters. People's time is in such
short supply these days, that this shows me that I'm really valued,
(particularly letters of thanks, which I always treasure and re-read).
Here's a way I've used of cutting costs, if you know you can give the same
thing to several different people. Get packs of various nice things to have
in the bath - fizzy bath salts, scented tealights (and matches), wrapped
sweeties, and so on, (preferably at sale time, but I appreciate that it may
be too late for that, this year.) Divide them up so that you put one of
each thing aside for each person. Wrap them up separately and then pack
each person's collection into a single container - half the fun is in taking
off the paper and finding lots of surprises. (I save any little boxes and
the undamaged parts of any pretty wrappers I receive during the year.) Add
a note with the instructions for a luxurious bath. ('Lock yourself in
bathroom; run hot bath; light candle; drop bath bomb into the water; get in
and soak while eating chocolates . . .', that sort of thing.) You may have
to add the gift of baby-sitting or something so that your present can be
really enjoyed, but that will just make it all the more appreciated.
Finally, my sister is a teacher, and finds herself inundated with small -
but no doubt pricey - objects, every Christmas and Summer. At her school,
they're trying to persuade parents to contribute time instead: such as
helping with school events and outings, when as many extra pairs of willing
eyes and hands are beyond price. Alternatively, ask what's needed - those
bits and pieces you were going to throw away might be just what they want
for craft projects, or dressing-up, or wet playtimes.
Hope these ideas help you to be creative,
Linda Walton,
(in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, U.K.,
where the rain has gone away for a day,
and the Sun has shone all the time. Hurray!).
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