Giving

The manner of giving is worth more than the gift.

~Pierre Corneille

Somewhere along the way I've lost my appetite for big, fancy things. Give me a set of knitting needles, a good book, or just a few hours all to myself and I'm quite the happy girl. Show me a box of old photos or a scrap bag of yarn and I can occupy myself for days.

As I prepare for the upcoming Christmas festivities I can't help but to let my love of simple things take over my gift giving. If I could have it my way, gift giving would once again become meaningful. I'm really big on that-- meaningful gift giving.

I'm so deeply saddened by the pre-made gift baskets at department stores and the on-line ordering of goodies such as cookies and muffins. In my opinion, that just turns gift giving into a chore, something we quickly click on and order between phone calls and dinner preparations and car-pool drop-offs.

In some ways, I wish gift giving would return to the days of old-- back when people wished and hoped and waited for something special.

So, here at 403, we're going back to basics.

I've been busy making little treats for the people I most care about. Monetarily speaking, these presents aren't much. But, they're from the heart and crafted with an abundance of TLC.

I'm not quite finished, but I have an entire drawer full of goodies and treats and little odds and ends. All fingers are crossed that I finish in time...(grin).