Cool Gifts

Keely and I have been out of the Christmas loop for some time, at least when it comes to a stateside Christmas. So, perhaps some of the small gifts we both received from acquaintances seems run-of-the-mill now, but I suspect it isn't so. Maybe, with the brutal blow the recession has given and the move--among some circles--to a "small is beautiful" and locally crafted ethic, the new norm is people giving handmade gifts and, in our case, hand made food. I hope so.

We received not just home-made cookies and other treats but mason jars filled with (L. to R. in the picture) candied pecans, blueberry preserves, Jerusalem artichokes, and peppermint bark. These were the gifts some gave us. Most were wrapped so we didn't really know what we were getting. Once we unwrapped all of our gifts and then realized a trend was emerging, we had one of those "wow, this is unexpected and cool" thoughts. I like handling mason jars and knowing that what lies inside took somebody effort and time.

A colleague of mine, when presenting the Jerusalem artichokes, dismissed the gift as "not much, just. . . ." Just nothing. I love artichokes! And I love the appropriateness of the gift.

Beyond the substance is the idea.