By Rennie Phillips

Normally around Christmastime, we begin wondering what to buy those we really care about.

This could be a spouse or child or friend or someone who means a lot to us.

If we know them well enough, we can get a gift that really means something, but there are times I think we try to buy the love of others with expensive gifts.

This might work, but I really don't think it does. At the moment, there is a rush of gratitude, but I don't believe it is a long-lasting gratitude.

Usually our family shares Christmas gifts. Marge and I get gifts for our boys and their family.

There are times when we aren't sure what to get them, so we end up giving cash, which always works. It is a great gift, but cash just doesn't have that personal feel, if you know what I mean.

Several years ago, I decided to make our boys a gift for Christmas, so I rolled out my blacksmith forge and made each of them a fire poker. Both of them like to make a small campfire to roast hot dogs or marshmallows, so the poker was perfect.

I made a handle on one end and a poker with a hook on the other end.

One of our boys is right-handed, and the other is left-handed, so I made them a right-hand and left-hand poker. It will not wear out next year for sure.

I enjoyed the making and giving. Not fancy. Simple!

Last year, our oldest son and his family bought Marge and me gift cards to several local businesses.

One gift card was to Cup 'n' Cork, which we thoroughly enjoy. We enjoy the food and enjoy visiting with the owners, Tina and Pat.

One was to River Ridge Winery, which we also enjoy. We are going to miss the former owners who sold the winery.

Another gift card was to Parengo in Sikeston, Missouri. Parengo is a coffee shop located on the square by the old railroad station. Since we go to Sikeston almost weekly, I'd end up getting a coffee a week.

Cups of coffee are $2.05, so the gift card lasted for months. The only way to get the gift cards was to visit all three stores and buy them -- a simple gift that meant a lot.

It's been a lot of years ago that I was in grade school. I went to a one-room country school in Arthur County, Nebraska. All nine grades were in the same room, so there were some in kindergarten and some in eighth grade.

I believe it was Mavis Steinke Smith, one of my teachers, who decided one year that we would crochet hankies for our mothers. So she bought each of us a square white hankie, the crochet thread and the needle.

I probably knew a little about how to crochet, since Dad did some. But with her help and instruction, I crocheted around the hankie.

I can't remember how Mom reacted, but I bet it was a good gift. It was probably not real practical. It was simple but at the same time priceless.

Clothes are always a good practical gift.

If one knows the right sizes and has an idea what the recipient wears, clothes are perfect. But one can take gifting clothes one step further by taking the recipient shopping for the clothes.

Marge took our granddaughter shopping last year for Christmas. I think they both ended up buying some clothes.

Not only did they find some clothes that were perfect, but they also had a good time together. They ate dinner and spent time together. Probably the best part was the time spent together.

Not too long ago, there was a post on Facebook about how great it was to spend time with a friend over a cup of coffee. For some reason, time spent with someone over a meal or something to drink takes on special significance.

Somehow just sitting around a table or under a tree or wherever with a cup of coffee or soda or tea makes it more than just the tea and coffee and such.

Having said this, why not make a list of those we haven't talked to in a good while and call them during this Christmas season? Or do a search on Facebook and see if you can't locate them.

If you have totally lost track of them, find some mutual friends and see if they have contact information. Spend some time searching and make this a special holiday season.

Spend time with family and friends. It doesn't have to be fancy or expensive or even planned. Slow down enough to not just see an opportunity, but take the time to enjoy it.

Have a great Christmas this month.

Until next time.