Last Minute Gifts

Whenever I hear that phrase, I think of the quick grab gifts that I've purchased for others in haste and panic. I haven't gone shopping this summer. I didn't buy something last minute for someone for a while now. Not even for myself. I remember three times in the past year when I was visiting with friends and I gone into my crochet collection that are boxed to find the "perfect" gift. Some items in there are finished projects, some require little fixes and some will never see the light of day. I gave a friend a scarf during the winter time when we celebrated her birthday, another friend also got a scarf when I visited her during her recovery after an accident and another friend was given 2 items, a purse for her daughter and a cat bed for her meowser.  I think it's akin to giving a plant or making cookies. Homemade. I ought to sew on tags that say "Made with LOVE by Motria."

Usually, I prefer to give gift cards. Go ahead and use them on something YOU want. Anything. I'm sure you'll use them well but the item you get won't remind you of me. I still look at some items in my room and think of the person who gave it to me and the event. But it's so difficult to buy something for someone last minute. Let me know if you agree. Unless you're very close to someone and know what they have, have discussed their wishlist and might know what they need. I know Johnny very well. But it's going to take me a while to figure out what he'd like to get for Christmas. Let's go over my past presents for him. A grill, a printer, a fish finder, Chewbacca socks, a fancy sweatshirt top, slippers, a big fluffy towel, a pillow, a hat with ear flaps, a Jerry Garcia tie, and a Grumpy shirt. Whew. This year I'm drawing a blank. Some of the past gifts he used, he loved and some are still packaged or in the back of a drawer.

What if I give him a pair of headphones or an iTunes gift card. How about a tin of homemade cookies. Send him a gift basket? A new wallet? A new belt? A crocheted hat? What else do I have in my collection? I wound up giving him a gift card and going with him to watch him find a new wallet. That was actually fun for both of us. I could've crocheted him a wallet but that would definitely remain at the back of a drawer. 

What are some of your most valued and loved gifts that were given to you? What was the occasion? A birthday, a housewarming, a reunion, a holiday, just because? Look around and let me know.