gifts

Some people get a great pleasure out of gift-giving during this season.

I think I come from a family/gene pool that never put a lot of effort in giving gifts on special occasions. It was not that my relatives were not loving or caring people, it's just that this is one area of our lives that we did not do so well. Perhaps it had something to do with our birthdays all falling within a couple of weeks of each other.

My partner comes from a family of great gift giving traditions. Over time, he (and they) have taught me a lot about the subject, and while my efforts are not up to their level, I feel I have improved.

This year, partner and I crafted gifts for friends who will be traveling with us to Italy next fall. I marvel at his creativity and magic in making all of this happen. I haven't felt too inadequate or helpless, and that is a gift from him.