What Says Your Name to Me?

Our tree, all decorated by Grandma and Charlie,
with serious help from Grandpa on the whole lights thing.

Yesterday I went shopping for the Christmas packages for family members who live far away from us.

One of my favorite days of the year is the day (or days!) I go out all by myself and just get little "this-and-thats" for people.  I love thinking about each person and what they are like and what they might enjoy.  It makes for a long day, and sometimes an unfruitful one, depending on what don't I find out there, but I enjoy it every year.

Online shopping is great - I mean, in your sweats, nice hot coffee, no crowds, click and pay...but I like to get out in the real world and see what's what.

My favorite stores are the funky ones, the mom and pop ones, the second-hand ones, the antique ones, the book ones...oh, and also the craft ones.  It's fun to see whether I can find something original for each person.  Something that says their name to me.

This is also the year of hand-made.  I made a goal that many, if not most, of my presents for people would be made by me.  That has been fun, too.  So far, the goal seems to be reachable.

I read on one of my knitting blogs about a girl whose family limits the cost of presents for each person to $10.  She gets yarn in that price range and knits for her family.

Sort of like the Woman (with a capital W) in Proverbs.

Verse for the day:
"When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet."  Proverbs 31:21

Stay warm and well clothed, no matter what color.

(Disclaimer for Ed, though:  I didn't knit all those socks!  I got the Costco 12-pack.  Some times you just have to do the Costco thing.)