A couple of weeks ago, I shared my dilemma of Christmas shopping for grown children and grandchildren, and asked for feedback. One reader was kind enough to take the time to offer her advice: “We give ours the gift of meat. We get a hog/steer and get it butchered. Good food for the freezer. You could always do grocery gift certificates as well; who can say no to food?”

Thanks for the tip Brenda - that is an excellent idea! I checked with my Custer County beef lady, and she does not happen to have any extra on hand right now, so I am moving on to Plan B.

We have opted to stick with the theme of practical gift giving…things that every family can use, and fill a tote with such items for each household. And apparently, I am not the only one who asks this question every year. When I googled “Christmas gift ideas for adult children,” a whole plethora of articles came up!

Each year, the kids always ask my husband and me for gift ideas for us as well. Though I always tell them we don’t want anything except to all be together, they just roll their eyes and buy us something anyway. Someday they will understand that that IS truly all we want! But for now, I drum up some little ideas for them when they ask.

Of course, we all know Christmas is not, or at least should not, be about the gifts. At least not if you are over the age of 5. However, there are those for whom gift-giving is their love language. I have a daughterin- law who fits that category, and she always gives wonderful gifts from the heart.

Meanwhile, I will continue schlepping through the stores looking for something the grandkids might actually like, and looking forward to just all being together. At least the big kids are taken care of for another year.

Happy shopping!