What to give your spouse....What to give your spouse....What to give your spouse??? 

If your spouse has everything he or she needs or if money is short this year, why not give a non-traditional gift: yourself! OK, what do I mean? What are little things that your spouse would enjoy from you that would make him or her feel special. (I'm not talking about doing dishes on time, laundry prior to piles on the floor, putting in storm windows prior to January) 

Would your spouse enjoy a foot massage with a special scented lotion? How about a backrub with a heating rub? Hot chocolate with mini marshmallows in front of the fireplace? (Don't have a fireplace? Take your camcorder to a friend's house that has a fireplace and videotape an hour or so of burning logs, then play it on your VCR to have a fun-filled romantic simulation!) How about getting your kids out of the house for an hour while your spouse takes a long, hot, uninterrupted bath? 

Get creative and imaginative and have fun. How do you give one of these gifts? Simply make a little certificate and enclose it in a card that is intended for sending money gifts. It will be much more appreciated than that a box of cherry chocolates or cheap fruitcake! (12/12/1999)