http://ask.metafilter.com/137754/Affordable-Luxuries#1968932

Time. Time is the most luxurious of all things. If you have ever experienced sickness, if you have ever experienced someone close passing too soon, if you have children growing older and less interested in you with each day. Time. For the young and busy, do their laundry. Run an errand or two that could provide them 2 or 3 precious weekend hours. Don't try to schedule it with them, just provide it when they aren't expecting it. They will not have had a chance to schedule it either, making it truly free time in every sense of the word. For those with kids...babysit. Or more importantly, toddler sit. Take the kids away. Give them the guilt-free quiet of their own space. It has everything they need; food, and comfort. And each other. For those who raised you...give them time with you. Thoughtful, focused, time. Tell them what you remember. Let them fill you in on what you have forgotten. Ask them questions. Go back in time. Let them know who you are now, today. Describe for them who you hope to be after they are gone. It takes effort, which is an indication of how worthwhile it is. But it's free. It's a wonderful gift, and trust me, it's something many of us will eventually be willing to trade everything we have for just a little more of it with those we care about. Failing that, I love me some hand-made socks. posted by nickjadlowe at 2:19 PM on November 10, 2009