Heartfelt Presents

I've always hated the birthday present pressure, the Christmas present pressure, and the Valentine's Day present pressure. It's just so hard. Seriously, unless you read the book you purchased for your booklover friend, how do you actually know she'll love it? Who's to say that the little money ledger purchased at the Dime Store for a dollar is really perfect for a bookkeepr/business owner mom? We're taught that the thoughtful presents count the very most, but who doesn't actually want a new car with a big red ribbon around it for Christmas?

Yet, I think one of the very best presents I've received from Dave probably cost him less than $10. This particular present consisted of four uniball gel pens. Now this might not sound like a romantic gesture to you, but to a doctoral student writing her comps, it was absolutely perfect. It was so perfect in fact, that when the last one dried up a week ago I shed a tear.

I know, I know... you're saying "Get over it; go buy yourself a couple dozen pens already!" But the point is, Dave knew I really didn't need much at all, he knew where all my time and energy was being focused, and he put it all together. Who can't love a present like that?

So - what are some of your favorite, heartfelt presents? List them here - and maybe we'll turn the tide from the commercialism of all the celebrations to "thoughtful attention paying."