Relax this week...and give great gifts!

We're blessed this year with a full, Fourth Week of Advent so we might as well take full advantage of it!

One way not to do this is to drive yourself bananas in the stores...or The Post Office.

(Yikes! Today I had to stop by the P.O. to drop a letter in the slot. I had to wade through a sea of frantic people to do it.)

If you haven't finished your shopping yet and haven't a clue as to what in the bleep you're going to buy for fussy Uncle Fred or crazy Aunt Clara, STOP. Take a deep breath, say a prayer, and don't worry about it. Instead of torturing yourself, consider giving them what my mom used to call a "Spiritual Bouquet."

It doesn't have to be an "officially" thing.

You know what I mean. It's wonderful to be able to send a card with a beautiful picture of Our Lady on it, enrolling the recipient in a Mass Novena by a religious order of priests. But if you can't, for some reason, do that, you can still give a "holy" gift. Last year, I received a handwritten note, telling me that ten Rosaries would be prayed for my intentions. I was thrilled!

Still don't have those cards mailed?

Consider "Epiphany Cards." As far as I know, "Epiphany Cards" aren't for sale, but that just means the ones you make and print off all the more unique...and memorable. Don't worry about it if you're not "artistic." You don't need to be! In this case, words are worth a thousand pictures. And a Scripture passage or two (check out, or example, Matthew 2:1-12) along with assurances of your prayers will be as appreciated — or perhaps more — than a standard, "store-bought" card.

Any other ideas?

Fire away...I'd love to hear them!