My brother, the long-suffering composer:-), is on a tight budget. He didn't ask me to, but I've been thinking of things he could make or do for Christmas gifts, that don't cost him much, because it is something which is important to him. I think it is probably his favourite holiday of the year.

Anyway, being the youngest of five kids, I missed out on a lot of early immediate family history, so I decided to ask him to write me a Memory Letter. He has many diaries from when he was a kid from which he could draw. I will tell him I would love to hear about what the fmaily was like and what they did for fun and what songs they sang, etc. before I was born and right after I was born.

Then, I decided this would be a good idea for anyone who doesn't want to or doesn't have money to spend on manufactured gifts. Write of your family's early days, for your children, your siblings, more distant relatives; or write of your surroundings and how they've changed from when you were little. Anyway, you get the idea. And, it doesn't have to be overwhelming, just a short letter.

I don't know if I will get them done in time for this season, but I will do this for each of my kids, even though they've heard verbal stories of their births, etc.

Hope you find this useful.

kat