| As the Christmas season nears we often find | | | | watching TV. What a cozy reminder of your |
| ourselves dreading the prospect of shopping for gifts. | | | | thoughtfulness this would be through the cold winter |
| In these economic times we may be feeling the pinch | | | | months. |
| of a dwindling bank account as well as not knowing | | | | 2. If you are into photography this would be a super, |
| what to buy for some of our friends and relatives. | | | | fun gift for a host or hostess: Photograph the event as |
| Sometimes we may dread going to a Christmas party | | | | it takes place. This will require little planning or shopping |
| because knowing what to give as a hostess gift can | | | | on your part and is sure to be the best gift there. Pick |
| present a big problem. I have to admit that I have been | | | | up a multiple openings picture frame and photograph |
| guilty of buying a gift that I really didn't know if the she | | | | quality paper. Take your digital camera and picture |
| would like, much less appreciate, so I could have | | | | printer to the party. At the end of the evening print a |
| something to take to the event. To be really honest, I | | | | good assortment of your pictures and place them in |
| have done the same thing just to be able to cross a | | | | the ready-made frame. The only downside to this idea |
| name off my family and friends gift list. | | | | is you will have to have extra paper because the |
| This year I want to give gifts that will not only be | | | | other guests will want pictures, too. |
| appropriate for the recipients, whether for a hostess or | | | | 3. Baked goods are always a welcomed gift. But this |
| friends or family, but will also let them know that they | | | | year instead of doing all the mixing and baking yourself, |
| come from my heart. This train of thought leads me to | | | | consider mixing all the dry ingredients together, putting |
| making homemade gifts. For some people I don't want | | | | them in a pretty glass jar and taping the recipe to the |
| to knit a scarf or make an angel in cross stitch-my old | | | | jar. This way the cookies can be enjoyed truly freshly |
| standbys for homemade gifts; so I needed to do some | | | | baked when the recipient will most want them. It may |
| looking around for some great, popular gifts. Where | | | | even be on one of those dreary January days when |
| better to go searching than on the internet; I don't even | | | | a nice warm cookie will hit the spot. |
| have to get out of my sweats and tee shirt to do this! | | | | These are only three of the ideas I found online. All you |
| If you do an online search, you will find hundreds of | | | | have to do is think about what you like to do and you |
| great gift ideas. Here are just a few to get the wheels | | | | will be able to find a way to turn that into a gift. My |
| in your head turning: | | | | favorite gifts are those that people have made for me |
| 1. If you like to knit or crochet, you might consider | | | | over the years. |
| making afghans. If you have several to make you may | | | | I hope You have a fun, stress free, joyous Christmas |
| want to make them half-sized afghan which is large | | | | season! |
| enough to keep an adult's legs warm while reading or | | | | |