Since most of my life has been…er, let’s say “economically challenged”, giving gifts has been more about giving something with some meaning rather than the price tag attached to it. Personalized gifts reflects just how much you know this person and what they’ll like. I learned this from my momma.

For instance, a good friend of mine is a Twilight freak. (Yeah, I know. Heh.) A gift for her would probably include some kind of Twilight memorabilia, maybe something as simple as a bookmark or coffee mug. My daughter loves to crochet, so an inexpensive gift could include yarn and a new crochet hook. Think of the hobbies or interests your friends/family like to do, and choose gifts accordingly. Believe me, they’ll love that you really put some thought into choosing a gift for them, and the price tag just won’t matter.

Unless they like precious gems and gold. Heh.

Here comes the onslaught for Valentine’s Day.

Flowers, chocolate, lingerie, jewelry…but you know the best kind of unique gifts for her? Time. Minutes, hours, whatever you can spare. I’d much rather have an hour with my loved one than a bucket full of diamonds.

Wait. Let me think about that for a minute. Heh.

Honestly, I’d really rather have time with my peeps than gifts that die, put weight on my ass, give me a scratchy wedgie, or sparkle coldly in the sunshine. Not that I don’t appreciate gifts, mind you, especially buckets full of sparklies, but there’s nothing that takes the place of a hug, a kiss, a snuggle.

When the kids were little, I’d spoil them on Valentine’s Day. It’s supposed to be the day where you show the people who mean the most to you how much you love them, and that doesn’t mean lovers only. Although VD has become disgustingly commercialized, much like Christmas, I still like the idea of showing the people whom I love so dearly just how much they matter to me. That goes for friends, family, and lovers.

So, when you think about a special Valentine’s gift, think about the gift of time. It’s unique, one size fits all, and there are no calories.

I admit, I’m not much of a baker. I never have been. Each year I’d do the required Christmas cookies, cheese twists and maybe a pumpkin pie. This year in the midst of empty nest syndrome, my family scattered to the four corners of the U.S., not to mention my completely inadequate airplane-bathroom-sized kitchen, I just won’t do any baking at all.

One of the things I love most about the holidays is the smell. The house fills with the aromas of cinnamon and apples, and all those yummy holiday spices. Because of my lack of culinary baking skills (or more truthfully—desire) I’ve found over the years that one of the best ways to achieve holiday baked goods scents are with candles.

They come in all kinds of scents now, everything from apple pie to snow! Smell is one of the strongest memory triggers so filling my home with holiday aromas transports me back to my mom’s house and those chilly winter nights spent consuming hot cocoa and sugar cookies. Read the rest of this entry »