Well I spoke too soon. My wife went a little crazy and got it in her head to make some homemade type gift thing that actually required a lot of work and some money. I was driving her around late last night, slightly crazed, also I had an expiring rewards certificate at sport chalet that I felt compelled to use because she wanted a particular object and if I didn’t buy it by close of business last night it wouldn’t be free. I am cheap, I guess. And I did exaggerate a bit, often I give the kids cash. Last night we bought them a few small goofy gift things too ata Target filled with definitely not happy or joyous looking late night shoppers. I went to the Ranch 99 asian market while she toiled at the craft store. I saw a really intriguing Asian candy consisting of fake candy hamburgers with a truly disturbing talking hamburger with mittens and socks on on the wrapper.

. Who would like this, I thought.

. She was up late last night finishing up some handicraft. I’m sure it still gets us tagged as super cheap. I looked online for red Asian gift envelopes, and they’re pretty inexpensive. Maybe I’ll buy a bunch of those and surprise everyone next year with money. I only like to give cash as a gift, because it requires no shopping. Also it is so very efficient. It is worth exactly as much as it cost you to the person you are giving it to. In fact, if the giver is fairly well off, it is probably worth more to the recipient. Very efficient. As opposed to an icky sweater.

I did some years back buy 100 used “money bags”, canvas bags for transport of coinage by banks. I have them in the garage. I put money in t hem and gave them to kids to take to birthday parties, also for weddings, bar mitzvahs, etc. . Sort of a modified red envelope thing. The bags themselves are pretty cool, they have the names of banks on them sometimes, or US MINT, and the type of coin in them. Also they can be weathered and worn in nice ways. It is pleasant to think of all the travels they made with all the money in them. What could be better than getting a gift of some cash in a money sack? The bags themselves go for 3 to 7 $ each on ebay, and I hope the people ive given them too keep them…. They’re so useful. if you buy 100 you get a BIG discount.

I use one as a travel cosmetics bag. Also for various storage purposes. I love the way they feel.

I m in a great mood. Went for a long hike on the pacific crest trail yesterday with the whole family, eldest is off from college, was freezing, had decent Pho afterwards, everyone was happy together. Why wait for Christmas though for family togetherness or loving mood? It’s either there all the time or it’s probably fake.