I'm so glad that you have that back.

I did get one gift back. I gave my aunt "something borrowed" for her wedding. She saved it for mine so it could be something old. She had no clue how hurt and sad I was that my borrowed thing didn't come back when I was still a child. I never forgot it and all turned out well.

I like to give disposable gifts to those with too many doodads. Like my MIL who is giving her collection of doodads to my girls as gifts. No problem getting the idea of "second hand is grand" to her. Oh I just made that up.

So I like to give her figures I make out of 2x4's and plaid scraps that she can leave sit by the front door - outside. A kinda square snowman. She actually asked for one for each season.

She won an award - very prestigious lifetime acheivement for her volunteer work- and looked for roses for her - on postage stamps! Would you believe I couldn't find them? She accepted virtual roses. She doesn't have time for more plants. And my SIL-the-grump is a horticuluturist.

So stamps and envelopes and handmade cards are a perfect gift!