The holidays are upon us. And no matter what you celebrate, how you acknowledge these days is up to you and your family traditions. Some like big crowds and bright lights, some like the closeness of the family circle around a few candles. While one person enjoys the stillness and wonder of a snowfall, another finds joy in caroling with a group of friends and neighbors. Maybe it's better to say: there's a time and a place for us to feel all of these things. For example, sometimes shopping for presents can be a real chore, but then at other times, there's no greater delight than coming up with just the right gift.

Of course, some of the best gifts are free, or only cost you some time. At my father's funeral, my brother John spoke of the gift of time that was spent on us when we were boys. He said: "Dad took us to unique classrooms. We went to Sears to learn about tools. He taught me how to study the Montgomery Wards catalogue to learn the names of plumbing and electrical fittings. We walked Canal Street in New York City and window-shopped at the surplus stores and ship chandlerys to ponder the use of machinery and hardware."

A few years ago, my daughter Jenny and I made a balsam pillow for a Christmas present. And as I was teaching her how to strip the branches, stitch up the cloth, and stuff it full of aromatic needles, I thought back to the gift my mother gave me as a boy, when she took the time to show me what her mother had taught her about making balsam pillows.

The holidays are upon us. Remember the simple gifts. Like time.