gifts. . .

How do you come up with a meaningful gift for a loved one? I think the first thing you have to do is listen to them. Not just around the gift giving occasion but all year round. What do they long for? If you are out shopping with them, is there something they are drawn to? Have they mentioned something they would like to have or do someday? For me, I have to write things down or I will forget. I like to keep a gift list that gives me ideas when an occasion for a gift arises.

Besides listening, I observe. What colors do they love? What is their style? Are they "green"? Do they try to be eco-conscious? What do they love to do? Where do they love to go? What do they like to eat or drink? Gift certificates are wonderful if they are for something that you know the person likes.

Of course, if finances are limited, it can be harder to come up with a good gift, but it just takes a little more effort.

Writing a heartfelt note can be one way to express love. Giving a music mix of either songs that you like and want to share or of songs that you think they will like based on what you've observed of their taste in music, is a pretty fun gift. I think that a mix accompanied by a note explaining your choices is a pretty good combo and shows that you've put some thought into the gift. I did this for my daughter's 25th birthday, using songs that reminded me of her starting from a song I listened to during my pregnancy through the years of her growing up to things we had done together and a couple of songs of encouragement to her. She loved it.

I think that anything that you make yourself is special. Whether it is a drawing or painting, a computer generated slideshow, something yummy to eat, something you've sewn or knitted, a decorative creation or whatever, if you can say, "I made this for you," a person that you love will think about the time you spent with them on your mind, and it will mean a lot. I think of the things people have made for me and I realize that every time I see or use them, I think of that person with warmth.