I am not a person who enjoys shopping, especially at Christmastime. Several years ago, I tried to figure out a way to avoid this. I tried shopping early on in the year for Christmas, but this failed, as nobody knows what they want for Christmas in March.

I was so busy one year that I made everyone gift baskets with homemade bottles of wine and jams. These proved to be very popular that I decided to try it again the next year. Everyone still loved it, so I have made it a tradition now.

It is such a win-win situation. My family and friends all get the baskets that they are looking forward to and I never have to set foot in a crowded mall at Christmastime. As for the nieces and nephews, they get gift certificates for the movie theatre and I know they enjoy that.