For the last several years, we give each other maybe one gift, if that. All of us pick a family that needs help and we all pitch in for a local no kill shelter that needs help desperately.

So far, every year, we have contributed to the same family. It's a single Mom with a young boy with cancer and another son. Last year we bought them food for the holiday and tickets to Sea World. They had a blast and made us a little photo album of the trip.

We usually buy all kinds of pet food and supplies for the shelter but they need cash this year. That's what we'll do. Not as much as in the past but as much as we can spare.

My gifts this year will be quilted items I've either already made or will make.