Christmas Gifts That Don't Take Up Space

This recent trip yielded some valuable information: what do you buy a 92 year old who's lived in a one bedroom condo for the last 30 years?

Seriously, being a houseguest means having a prime opportunity to sleuth for gifts. I hate giving something that won't be used or is a complete shot in the dark.

I picked up three good ideas to keep in mind for Great-Grandma:

• a cookie scoop she mentioned
• four matching mugs
• a supply of pecans for baking.

I think I will track down the pecans, because they are both consumable and pricey at her neighborhood market.

Plus, she makes a pretty mean pie.



And here's an idea for a gift which costs nothing, takes up no space, and yet cannot be bought:

It was the policy of the good old gentleman to make his children
feel that home was the happiest place in the world: and I value this delicious
home-feeling as one of the choicest gifts a parent can bestow. --Washington Irving