Question: I had a website tying messages-with gifts online around 2006. I notice that there are several patents dealing with this topic and I believe that I have written evidence that I considered the same processes that are now patented. I am wondering if I have something to sell to the patent holders?

Answer: 
80% of a patent you can write yourself. I have written over 50. The process is very straight forward as long as you understand how to organize it. I have probably saved over $100,000 writing my own.

The part you absolutely want to have a lawyer do (keyword: absolutely!) is drafting your claims. This language is key to obtaining your patent and getting your claims accepted. It is an "art form" few master with out considerable experience. I would also advise having a lawyer submit your patent as the submittal, and follow on correspondence, can be tricky.
I agree completely with Ken S (the above poster), and couldn't put it better. I have also drafted my own patent application, and my lawyer has had to change very little. 

Writing the claims is something else. It seems to require a different, more strategic approach, than the descriptions. Those are truly just technical documents detailing your invention and illustrating the novel aspects.

Still, going it alone might not always be a bad choice. The claims I had written, but not shown, to my lawyer were nearly identical to her wording and substance as well. Either she is a bad lawyer or I've grasped something about the process. 

Studying approved patents, and also what happened to those products, is great practice whether you lawyer-up or not.