Why bother?

I think Christmas gift giving after a certain age should stop. I mean, why bother? My children pick what they want and I buy it. Where is the anticipation in that? Most of my friends are too busy to put any thought into a gift so I get something I have or don't need. Another "thing" to stuff on the shelf of my closet. I don't want to receive a gift just because a person feels obligated to give one. If you don't have time to think about it, don't bother. If you don't know what I would appreciate here is a clue, give me a piece of you: a handwritten note, a hand-me-down copy of a book you love, a favorite recipe. Last year I received the most creative gift from a dear friend. It was a box of all of her favorite things: the dish soap she uses, her favorite lip gloss, a little piece of her. After I opened that gift I felt closer to her. Another friend makes home baked goodies to create her gifts. She loves to cook, a piece of her passion. So please, spare me the "I didn't have time but here is something" gift this year. I don't want it. All I want is something that is growing more precious by the day: a reminder of you, some time with you, the tiniest piece of you.