| "Whatever I treasure and enjoy-this home, our | | | | expressing your feelings. So, here are a couple of |
| ranch, the sight of the sea-all would be without | | | | suggestions. Don't buy a greeting card and write a |
| meaning if I didn't have you. I live in a permanent | | | | line at the bottom. Write a real letter with at least |
| Christmas because God gave me you."- Ronald | | | | a couple of paragraphs and a beginning and closing. |
| Reagan | | | | You get extra points for nice stationery and hand |
| I hear a lot of people talking about needing to | | | | writing instead of typing. Tell your spouse not only |
| scale back gifts due to financial stress, but | | | | what you appreciate about what he or she does, |
| meaningful gifts don't always cost much. What if | | | | but also what you appreciate about who they are |
| there was a gift you knew your spouse or loved | | | | and what they mean to you. Express your |
| one would really treasure, and it would cost you | | | | gratitude and love. If you need further inspiration, |
| nothing but your time and effort? The gift is a | | | | read one of the books mentioned above or |
| love letter. Wait! Before you get too scared, | | | | research online or at your local library. The most |
| please at least hear me out. | | | | important thing is to write uplifting words from |
| The book, "My Dear President," details hundreds | | | | your own heart. |
| of letters between Presidents and their wives, | | | | Chances are that your spouse doesn't remember |
| from George Washington to George Bush. It's | | | | many of the gifts from years past. But great |
| fascinating to not only read about their lives but | | | | letters become treasures for generations. You |
| about their feelings for one another so eloquently | | | | might find it makes a great annual tradition, for |
| expressed. They don't call Ronald Reagan "The | | | | birthday, Valentine's Day, anniversary or other |
| Great Communicator" for nothing. Not only did he | | | | holiday. Letters or poems make the perfect gift |
| communicate well with a nation, he communicated | | | | for Mother's Day and Father's Day. Trust me, a |
| his love with amazing detail in daily letters. The | | | | parent loves nothing more than to hear words of |
| book "I love you, Ronnie," details these letters. No | | | | thanks and encouragement from his or her own |
| matter where he was, Reagan made time to | | | | child. |
| write letters to his wife, whether they were in | | | | While you're at it, draft a letter to your children, |
| different countries or in the same room. | | | | your parents or those you want to know how |
| My point is that if the President of the United | | | | much you care about them. Even hand-written |
| States can make time to write letters to his wife, | | | | notes to business associates stand out because |
| so can you. I know you are used to emailing and | | | | they are so rare. |
| text messaging and maybe aren't used to | | | | |