Ok I'm going to stop individual quote responses because I'm on my phone and only know how to do them one by one and I don't want to clutter up this thread. But I am so utterly impressed by the amazing responses on this thread!!!! Wow!
You guys are making me so happy :)
I looooove gifting (it's my love language) but I don't want to break the bank and I have to admit, I prefer to give minimalist-type gifts because so many people in my life do not want more STUFF.
Beautiful ideas. Keep 'em coming!
I made my dad 3-4 of his childhood favorite "goodies", packaged them and added a nice note card (I could not find an old photo of him from his childhood, but that would have made for a nice card, too).
Just remembering what he likes, and the fact that he does not get things like "date slice" (matrimonial cake), apple cake, his favorite fudge, fig pudding, etc often made him very, very happy, and feeling like Christmas.
Bonus -- he only got about 1/3 of each batch, the rest was for my family.