Let's face it, the country's landfills don't need any help from us. So here are some ideas for pleasing your stitcher while leaving a smaller "sockprint."

1. Make a donation to Heifer International in your knitter's name. While sheep are going for $120 this year, a flock of geese is only $20.

2. Give the gift of knowledge. A gift certificate to your stitcher's favorite LYS for an advanced class or project course will keep her brain and fingers active.

3. Give him an earful. As knitters, we often get behind in our reading. How about a gift certificate for a MP3 book from Audible?

4. Or for those who like to watch...a Netflix subscription?

5. Cook dinner for your knitter. The evening meal cuts into knitting time in a big way. Make a couple of meals for your knitter. Or send her to a meal-prep kitchen where she can whip up eight meals in two hours.

6. Work him over. A massage for tight neck, shoulder and arm muscles will get you hugs and kisses.

7. Send her to Stitches West. Better yet, the Jane Thornley Knitaly Tour to Tuscany!

8. Adopt some love. Puppies are always good. Here's what my mother got for her holiday gift!

Meet Emily. She's already getting the hang of knit-napping.