“When you give of your possessions you give but little, it is when you give of yourself that you truly give.” -Kahlil Gibran

Some people are creative and enjoy making gifts to give to friends and family during the holiday season; others head for the stores. I do both.

As a grandparent, I love to receive my annual calendar with a picture of twin grandkids because it reminds me all year how lucky I am to be a grandmother.

Christmas cards personalized by family pictures are always appreciated. However, I don’t like is Christmas letters: I never read them. But I think I’m Johnny-out-of-step because most people I know look forward to catching up on news of friends and family that way.

Handcrafters have an advantage: they can feel the holiday spirit for a couple of months before the season while they work on gifts.

There are a few things I enjoy making and giving this time of year. I make lots of shortbread and yuletide cakes for family and friends - most people I know like to eat. I start baking Christmas cakes in November and shortbread about the beginning of December. I buy a pound of butter every once in a while, so I don’t have to buy it all at once for my genuine Scottish shortbread.

I’m not a seamstress by any stretch, but I can cut out and sew together variously coloured six-inch squares in long strips and then sew the strips together making a six-by-eight-foot square. Then, I buy and wash a sheet from a thrift shop for backing, put kapok in between the front and back, sew it up and, presto, a colourful warm quilt. Clearly, I’m not a quilter, but my simple quilts have bright happy colours; they are warm and gratefully accepted by the Downtown Women’s Centre. Itry to make at least three a year.

I’m also into baskets. I was lucky to have been taught by a First Nations artisan how to make cedar bark baskets in all shapes and sizes. Baskets filled with cookies and candies are a great family gift and always appreciated.

Shopping at craft fairs helps both the artists and recipients of all sorts of interesting handmade treasures. Pre-holiday craft fairs happen frequently this month. Handmade jewelry is always acceptable if chosen carefully for a specific recipient. Little girls with pierced ears love a selection of small earrings.

Many women my age love knitting. Tea cozies are back in style; baby layettes never went out of style; and the long scarves people are wearing today are easy to make and one can never have too many.

Stores never lose their glitter and temptation and most of us succumb to the lure. What is more festive than rubbing shoulders with happy shoppers in December with “Come all ye Faithful” playing softly in the background?

Whether you’re buying gifts, making them or both, have yourselves a wonderful holiday season and a peaceful New Year.

DECEMBER 2010 SENIOR LIVING MAGAZINE VANCOUVER ISLAND