Gifts and gratitude can should happen all year around 
After my Mom died I tried to get my 2 sibs to gather together at another time of year,
when travel was easier both congestion and weather wise.
Never happened.
Well, once we 3 gathered at the matriarchal cottage 'up north', the minute they arrived my bro got a call that hurricane Irene had flooded his property 4' deep.

After my Mom died I tried to get my 2 sibs to gather together at another time of year,
when travel was easier both congestion and weather wise.
Never happened.
Well, once we 3 gathered at the matriarchal cottage 'up north', the minute they arrived my bro got a call that hurricane Irene had flooded his property 4' deep.