Re-think shopping.  What can you give that costs little or no money and you don't have to go out and shop for it? Consider re-gifting, passing on your treasures, or giving gifts with intention. Lovely gifts you've received that you haven't been able to use can easily be re-wrapped and given to someone else: soaps, clothing, handbag or wallet, CD or movie (you already own this one and never got the duplicate returned), gift card or home décor.   And how many times has someone commented on something you have in your home that they just love or admire or wish they had. Perhaps this year you can give away something you've enjoyed and now let another family member or friend appreciate it. When my mother passed away, I acquired her baby blue bowl. She put the Easter eggs in it every year. After using it and loving it for many years, I gave it to my sister for Christmas. And to another sister I gave my grandmother's little Dutch girl planter. Baskets, art work, dishes or crystal, clothing, keepsakes can all be gifted to someone else. Then you can enjoy it in their home. And create meaningful gifts with intention--and ones you make--by scrap booking old photos or creating on-line picture books, making a quilt or blanket from their baby or doll clothes, or a shadow box with a treasured item and the owner's photo.  For many years I gave my son-in-law my famous rum cake.  This year consider a gift from the heart.

Make a pact. Several years ago we asked our kids to give us only consumables. We've lived in our home for 35 years and we don't need anything else in here. And yet, Christmas is the time of giving and we still enjoy our family gift exchanges. So we get and we give movie or sports tickets, restaurant gift cards, wall calendars, candles and lotions and soaps, and food and spices and condiments. I LOVE getting an Amazon card to fill my Kindle each year and we always look forward to restaurant gift cards. Consider a membership to a museum, paying someone's association dues, donating to a charity in your loved one's name. Sit down for tea with Mrs. Chi and ask her what that special someone on your list would most like to have from you and make it a consumable.

As you're shopping in the next few weeks, look around your house first. What do you have that someone has always admired? How can you make the season more meaningful with a personalized gift? Who would love your gift of time?