Creative gifting

Dear Answer Angel: We have several nieces/nephews who live out of town, and I have no idea what to get them for Christmas. We've done the "list" thing, but that whole idea bothers me. I want to get something a bit special, but I am at a loss because we don't see them that often and I don't know what kinds of toys they have already. For adult friends I might give a pretty scarf. But for kids, what is a similar nice, somewhat generic gift? (In previous years, I gave everyone boxes of art supplies: markers, construction paper, scissors, tape, glue, etc.).

Ellen Warren

December 17, 2010