The icing on the cake

The greatest gift of all is time.Time spent doing something that the recipient loves doing and doing it with them -- not just for them.

Focusing on that person's actual desires, listening to their thoughts as they talk about them, allowing them to feel like the center of attention, making them feel important and worthwhile, is an incredible gift. One whose repercussions may last a lifetime.

While the instant gratification may appear to be spending a lot of money on a gift, it usually doesn't mean as much as making the effort to enjoy it with them.

Dropping them off at the show, sending them to camp, taking them to the beach, or Disney world are fun things, but if you want them to be memorable there needs to be personal interaction involved too.

Think of what people do for pets. Birthday cakes and candles do not impress dogs. New chew toys and balls are nice, but what that dog really wants is someone to throw the ball, play tug of war with the toys, go on a walk filled with new smells and places to run. People are pretty much the same.

Giving the gift of thoughtfulness, of time, of attention is real love. If you want to throw in something you buy too, that's just the icing on the cake.