From my title are you thinking that I am musing about favorite gifts I have received? To some extent I am. It is difficult to say or write the word gift and not think of the favorite ones that my favorite people have given me. Those came from the people I love, from my parents, my aunts and uncles.

I still have my favorite. It’s a picture taken of my Uncle Charlie in his Army uniform. He sent it with a dollar for my birthday during World War II. He looks handsome and young. I remember him that way. He never grew old for me. I do not even remember his hair turning grey or thin. I remember him on the beach reading his newspaper. He would take the train from Newark to the Jersey Shore.

But what do I love to give, you ask? Ah, I do love to give gifts, all kinds of gifts. My favorite for children under the age of twelve are books.All kinds of books, even magazines, like National Geographic or Highlights. Yes, and puzzle books: dot to dot or crosswords.Anne of Green Gables and Vampire books by Anne Rice for my daughter and granddaughters.

I loved to give my Mother jewelry and now I have some it. Nothings very valuable, but very sentimental. It seems I gave her two purple bead necklaces. I have both handing on a necklace stand in my bedroom. I also have a broach or two and a pendant. The pendant was given to her by her mother-in-law. I think it was an engagement gift. Now that I have a great-granddaughter, I am thinking of giving it to her

I have always loved to give gifts I make myself. I think I learned that in Brownies or Girl Scouts. We were always making something. One Christmas we sewed old Christmas cards together to make baskets. When in high school, we had a knitting club, Mrs.V. encourages us to knit socks. I made a pair for my Dad. I loved those socks. He did too, but I don’t think he ever wore them.  Arygles. A niffy tricky knitting pattern. My friend could never get the knack of knitting and has her socks still on the knitting needles.

I still knit.This year I made a white sparkly infinity scarf for a sort of grab bag party game, three boys scarves, a capelet and three fancy hats. Here are pictures of quilts that I have made and given as gifts.

  What are  your favorite gifts to give? Do you make some? Bake? Buy? Upcycle?

Love you all. I praying you have a joyful Christmas, a Happy Hannaka and a peaceful New Year!

Sarina Rose