Make your own gifts

Dear Editor,

As I read the paper daily, I notice that there are many layoffs and people out of work. Now as I see it, yes, we are having some tough times.

But the price of gas has gone down a great deal, so there is no complaint there. What I am writing to you about is there are many people who say they are having a hard time buying gifts and just don't know how they are going to afford it.

Well, my solution is why can't we do what my grandparents did when times were rough? They made Christmas gifts! There are all kinds of ideas to "make a gift."

My grandmother made cookies and fudge and other goodies to eat. When I was just 4, going onto 5, my grandfather made me a toy box out of scrap lumber and pieces of wood paneling. My parents had $90 a month income, and my mother collected cans that had vegetables in them. When they were empty, she took the label off and spray painted them different colors, and I played with them like building blocks.

Santa Claus "Bill" fixes old bikes right here in McCook.

OK, now people are going to say "there is not enough time."

That to me is an excuse, because if you can sit in front of a TV for four hours and watch football, or sit and watch a movie -- you rented -- which sometimes is two hours, then there is time to be creative and make some nice Christmas presents for someone.

The year my grandparents and my parents made gifts for me was the best Christmas ever.

Why?

Because the presents had a "personal touch."

Walmart has an arts and crafts section, and there is a very nice elderly lady who really has many different ideas that she can show you, and most of the time, it does not cost very much and does not take very much time. There is Eakes Office Supply that has items as well, and the list goes on. Shop around different stores and you will be surprised.

There is an old saying, "[one] man's trash is another man's treasure."

I shop at the second hand "junk" stores and I spent $5 and had a gift for four people.

Now come on, let us stop complaining and make your Christmas's "personal touch."

Remember Christmas does not have to cost a great amount of money. It is not the price that counts, it is the thought behind it.

Joan Stewart was once my employer and she made a Christmas gift for all of the employees; it was a clothespin she made to hold your recipe card so it was easy to read as you cooked in your kitchen, and I still have it, and that was a good five or six years ago. Joan is a very busy person -- and by golly, if she had the time, then you should, too.

So in closing, all I have to say [is] stop your complaining and coming up with excuses, and make your presents -- believe me, they will be well remembered.

Kevin Dunn,

Holbrook