Today, I headed over to our local Ben Franklin store here in Ojai to do Christmas shopping for my grandkids. Our family gives the kids a few group gifts that Auntie Rachael has already purchased for us, but I get $25 per child to add to their Christmas loot. Not that they get a lot, since we have all agreed that we don’t want to contribute to the further junking up of our homes with toys that are quickly tossed into a corner. Still, it is one of my secret pleasures to walk around that store very slowly and look for things that I think those four-and-a-half little characters might appreciate and enjoy.

The Ojai Ben Franklin is not the cheapest place to get items, but it’s locally owned and only about five minutes from our orange grove. There are significant benefits to both, so I prefer to go there rather than drive down to Ventura to Target. It’s also not crowded at Ben Franklin, which I can’t say for Target.

What did I get after three hours of wandering and pondering? Little things: art supplies for Nico; a science set for Lyla and Ethan that I will have to closely supervise; play-dough; modeling clay; a few tiny special things for Luna that I can’t name because she reads my blog; a small gift for both Ron’s mother and Andrew’s mother; and a soft and silly piece of clothing for little “still-in-the-oven” Milo. After all that time, you might have thought I’d have more. But each gift was very carefully considered, and hopefully that will come through when these little ones open them.

They already know Grandma isn’t inclined to waste money on frivolous holiday gifts. I believe in keeping consumerism to a minimum, making a yummy dessert instead, and spending time hanging out with these sweet, intelligent, and lovely human beings—also known as my grandchildren. I like them all very much and appreciate just how unique each of them is.

Their gift to me? Just being themselves and allowing me the chance to be with them. That is more than plenty for me. Oh, and the hugs. That part is very important—the hugs. What else in the world do I want or need? After all, love is what Christmas is all about.

Someone at our Ben Franklin’s has a lot of fun putting this display together. It is adorable.