Sometimes people say “Wow, that’s really cool, but I can’t think of anything to use for a Handmeon.” I start out by suggesting that anything you already use as a gift is fine, plus a whole lot more. The whole lot more is because with Handmeon its as much about what you say as what the physical gift is.

For example, while before Handmeon I’d never given anyone a rock, Mount Washington Tales is “just” a rock. Of course it’s a beautiful rock, in an austere lichen-covered granite sort of way, but it’s still a rock. I didn’t spend $29.95 for it at the Hallmark store.

But if you check out the story, there’s some fun reading to be had (and a lot more once Bruce weighs in, I’m sure). My point is that with Handmeon you’ve got a lot of leeway to make something “ordinary” become extraordinary. It doesn’t take much of yourself to make something far more lovable than any off-the-shelf gift you could buy.

So go ahead, use a rock (or a shell, or a chunk of wood). It’s all about the story.