My 19 year old son drew my name this year, and I have to say I was delighted by the obvious care and thoughtfulness with which he went about choosing his collection of gifts. At my age I really have anything I truly need, and don't have many "wants." Plus don't have much room in my small house for most of the few wants I might otherwise have. He gave me three small, muslin-lined baskets for bread or crackers packed with a garlic dipping oil, herbs to add, a jar of a tomato/roasted pepper dip/spread, a jar of onion blossom-mustard dip, a bag of dipping pretzels, an oil "mister" (fill with olive oil and pressurize to lightly mist cooking pans, salads, veggies for roasting, etc.,) a "wine saver" gizmo that partially creates a vacuum seal for unfinished open bottles of vino, and advised me that he still owed me a locally baked sourdough banquette to serve up as the inaugural launch of the goodies.

I think I might have to have a pre-New Year's gathering in appreciation.

Our immediate family began drawing names several years ago, but Mom can not resist putting together token gift bags for her two living daughters. A couple of locally produced culinary delights in the form or preserves and pickles, really great wall calendars with relatively non-commercial pnotographs from around our home state, and small and large Smithsonian appointment books for 2013.

The best gift was being together, as many of my small family as could be, to celebrate our love and caring and pleasure in being together.