Several years ago we made an agreement with our daughters that we would no longer exchange gifts. We would simplify life and save the money and would only buy a few things for the grandbabies. It took a couple years to get used to and now we all agree that it has decreased some of the stress of the holidays.

But this year there was a tiny gift sitting under the tree. We had received it about a week before Christmas but I was not about to open it until Christmas Eve. It was from a gal who went to college with our oldest daughter and when she lived in Dallas, she would have Christmas Eve dinner with us. She was Jewish, but would delight in the decorated tree and a festive dinner, and would bring a menorrah to light. I have fond memories of the years we were able to do this. She has since married and moved away.

This little gift has special meaning. It looks like a Victorian pug advertising baking powder to bake bread. Each year we will hang it on the tree and remember the good times we had together.