We are in that manic moment between Thanksgiving and Christmas when preparations for the holidays seem to consume all our waking moments. 

I hope you all shopped Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday sales and remembered to donate on Giving Tuesday.  I’m not sure what special sales days we have before us, but don’t forget that in January lots of Christmas stuff is half off, so buy your cards and wrapping paper then and put them somewhere you’ll be able to find them next December. 

Of course, the question of the season is what to gift the friends and relations.  Here are my Top Five Best Gifts to Get and Top Five Best Gifts to Give 

Top Five Best Gifts to Get 

I’m at the stage where I honestly don’t need any more stuff.  In fact, if elves came into my basement and started clearing it out tonight, I would be one happy lady. If they had somewhere to go with it all, I would even help them load the truck!  Below you will find the things at the top of my letter to Santa Claus: 

Number Five: A clean basement.  I know this is one gift I will get to give myself as soon as the holidays are over. 

Number Four: A gift certificate for a massage. 

Number Three: A gift certificate for a local gift store. 

 Number Two: A festive dinner with friends. 

Number One: A gift certificate for another massage. (Do you sense a theme here?) 

Top Five Best Gifts to Give 

Here are some ideas for gifts that anyone would love to receive: 

Number Five:  A Winning Lottery Ticket. Although, from what I’ve seen, these can be more trouble than they’re worth.   

Number Four:  A Time Machine.  Who wouldn’t want to be able to travel both back and forward in time?  It’s a concept that has fascinated us for eons. You might want to contact Doc Brown and see if the DeLorean is still functional. Who knows? It might be on the first page of the Neiman Marcus Holiday Catalog this year. That store is famous for its luxe offerings and offered shoppers such baubles as His-and-Her airplanes for $176,000 in 1960. 

Number Three: The Gift of Kindness. Now here is a gift that everyone can give to anyone. It can be the gift of not blowing your horn in traffic when the car in front of you is slow; of being patient when standing in a long line; of holding a door open for someone.  These acts cost us nothing in terms of money yet enrich us all. 

Number Two: The Gift of Time. Here is a wonderful present that, again, is truly priceless.  Taking the time to spend time with friends and/or family over cake and coffee and/or wine and cheese is a gift that will be cherished forever.  Time is one currency that we must not squander. 

Number One:  The Gift of Friendship.  This may be the greatest gift of all.  In a world where so many are lonely, offering the hand of friendship can be a beautiful thing. 

There you have it—my list of best gifts to get-and-give for 2022. Happy gifting!