I just loved you yesterday (28th) during your time with Martha. She is touted as such a perfect hostess...how rude she was that she wouldn't allow you to put your decorated cookie on that cake. Thumbs up to you for not allowing her rule the show. You are terrific!!!

Hi Meredith. You're right. Busy times make us frazzled. The kids start to get on our nerves. At a time when they should be thinking about others, they become even more self centered.
"What about me! Look at me! I want this! Why can't I have that?"
You know Meredith, you sometimes display variations of this behavior yourself. That gets to be nerve wracking too.

I completely agree with you. A few years ago my girl friends and I agreed to stop giving each other gifts even the "it's just a little something ones" and instead get together and spend time together catching up. Sometimes it is during December and may turn into a gift wrapping session, we've even done our Christmas cards this way. One year we actually managed to have lunch the Saturday before Christmas followed by manicures/pedicures. Other years we wait until after New Year's and the January blahs are hitting and then have a get together with everyone bringing something.

It really does reduce your stress levels as you now have fewer gifts to stress out about plus the thought of a good time to come.

I completely agree. Money is tight for us this year so we have agreed that as a family we will have lots of meals together to celebrate each other. It takes off the pressure of buying someone something they don't want and we get to eat great food.

Hi Meredith, I use to watch you in Providence years ago and thought what a lovely Name -" Meredith". It is a long story, but I had an opportunity in a new life I was building to change my name. My first name is Ann and I searched everywhere for a middle name. The name Meredith just came to me. Eventually I had my name legally changed to just Ann Meredith with no middle name. I love it. However, when the Today Show makes announcements about "Ann and Meredith" I wonder at times why they are talking to me! You are the only person whom I know with the name Meredith. I love my name now, it has great rhythm and I thank you for helping me find my wonderful namel.

What a great new perspective on the holidays. Now I have a new idea for gifts for friends. Thanks, Mer!

Merdith,

My kids are grown, they have thier own partners and kids, so instead of buying gifts this year, I am making what I call life gifts for them. Using gifts or talents that I have, and incorporating that into gifts that they can keep during thier life. So the only stores I go to, are for picking up more paints, and supplies needed to complete this. Giving a part of myself, and if they choose someday they can pass them along to thier own decendents.

Blessings,
Linda

GIFT SUGGESTIONS: GPS (GARMIN IS THE BEST) AND XM SATELLITE RADIO FOR YOUR FAVORITE DRIVER..2 GIFTS RESOLVED:)

WHAT A WONDERFUL BLOG......THE GIFT OF TIME....WE NEVER HAVE ENOUGH OF IT IN OUR DAY.....RECONNECTING WITH GOOD FRIENDS IS A GREAT THING TO DO.....

What a great idea!We should stop obsessing about getting that perfect gift,when the best gift would be to just be together.{ALthough my 5 and 7 year old would disagree.

I love how grounded you are.

You couldn't be more right. Spending time together is what holidays are all about. A time to make memories.

We have two kids, both with autism. This year, instead of more stuff, we're thinking of asking folks to make a donation to a charity of their choice that supports autism research. Either that, or we will make the donations in their name.

I have the perfect gift idea- http://changingthepresent.org/ this is a wonderful site where you can purchase school supplies for an orphan or adopt an elephant. There are so many options on this site you are sure to find a cause near and dear to those you give gifts to. (I swear I didn't mean for that to sound like a commercial).But truly it's a great site to lessen the holiday gift giving stress AND do something so very wonderful for someone that needs a little help. Hope that helps!!

I know that your schedule is crazy busy but try planning a "Friends only" getaway for a night or two. You don't have to travel far---stay at the Plaza in a suite and order room service! Go for an early morning walk through the park.....

I know that your friends understand your schedule and how this weighs on your heart.....your true friends understand and will be there when you retire and have more time.

Hi Meredith,
Speaking of over the top holiday shopping, I was wondering if you found any helpful advice in my new book that I gave you in the Atlanta airport called "Can I Have a Cell Phone for Hanukkah?" (Broadway, 2007). Would love to hear your feedback! You can contact me at sharonestroff@sharonestroff.com
Happy Shopping!

I'm sure your friends would prefer your presence over your presents.

HI Meredith,
I know what you mean, I get so stressed out at this time of the year, so much to do and the Christmas shopping is really a pain. I don't like shopping in the first place so I have been doing as much on line as I can but I think that there should be gift giving only every other year, wouldn't that be great? The year with no gifts would be so much more peaceful, just think about it. I know that will never happen but a person can dream.
I am sure your friend enjoys every minute you spend with her, I know I would.
Hope you had a great weekend.
Love ya Meredith
Joan K.
Wisconsin

Hi from Atlanta, Meredith...
Your idea of spending TIME with others-- reconnecting-- is the singular most important thing you could choose to communicate. Please do so on The Today Show, too!
I know there are lots of products to pitch, companies to thank, films to promote, but do that:
Take a ten-second spot to give credit to spending TIME. It's one of the resources we can't get MORE of. There'll always be more hats, i-pods, Tiffany jewelry, etc...
I love The Today Show, and am enjoying your Blog...
Check mine out, sometime...I'm particularly proud of my February 2007 posts, but I try to post at least every two days, just go to:
www.lisaallender.com
and click on my blog....
Respectfully,
Lisa Allender

I just read a blog by a fellow quilt artist and she said she gives gift cards to her friends and asks them to hand them out throughout the year for random acts of kindness. They are not crazy amounts of money, but I think it is a wonderful idea.

Meredith,
Great posting-this reminds me about missing my best friend. I'm in Oklahoma going to grad school and she's 7 hours away in San Antonio. Being far away from each other makes being home for the holidays all the sweeter. Thankfully we both make time for text messages in the meantime. Thanks for another great read!

My Christmas gift to Meredith comes in the form of a preview of a song I am writing for her new CD. The song is PEOPLE ARE TALKING, which may have HIT written all over it; here is the chorus so far:

(key: C minor)

Cm Eb G F Eb F G
People are talking everywhere

Cm/Ab Eb F G
It's heard all around you

Cm G F Eb F Eb F G
Out on the streets, on the Internet

Ab Eb F Eb/Cm
Everywhere you go;

Cm G F Eb F G
People talk about the weather

Bb Ab Eb F/G
Their hopes and their dreams

Cm G F Eb F/G
So much information abounds

Ab Eb F/Eb F/G
More than you wanna know.

If you like what you have seen of the lyrics and guitar melody, please contact me immediately. Thank you for your consideration and Merry Christmas!

I read your blog and you get it! This has been a problem this gift searching season. I made a decission that I would give "give back" gifts this year and also gifts that were not going to have my bank manager chasing after me! I search on the web - friendship, connection, attitude, perspective and I found a great gift, I ordered some and recieved them on Friday. I ordered the friendship stone. The site is so nice, the story is great, and it is all about what you said exactly - connection, friendship - empowering....Anyways the stones arrived (they only cost me 14$ each) really nice packaging I liked them so much I gave myself one! They are also a give back company, they will be giving proceeds to the village in S Africa to develop a water program there. Anyways I read your blog and smiled - you put down in words exactly what I was thinking, and I found the perfect gift for my friends and family. Have a wonderful holiday, I hope you have the time to spend with your loved ones and friends!

Hi Meredith,
I can't agree with you more. Things are getting stranger with each holiday season and the gift-giving craze. The most recent and unusual comes in the form of a gift called CrappyFudge. It's funny and different, but is it really something someone wants to be rememered for giving? I think I too would opt for your suggestion of presence as opposed to presents-even the most unique gifts can't measure up.