I spent the day finishing up the baking, and then we drove around the neighborhood in the rain, dropping off packages of goodies. We didn't sing for anyone this year, though...it just kinda worked out that way.
The kids were full of anticipation for the traditional, Christmas Eve gift exchange. This is a tradition we started many years ago...and who would have known it would turn out to be such a favorite. This was probably the first year I didn't know who everyone had drawn. I did know a couple (because they needed help with online ordering or ideas) but it was kind of fun being surprised with the rest.
Jake just turned twelve last month and is now a Deacon at church, which means he helps to pass the Sacrament on Sunday...wearing a white shirt and tie. Even though he just got brand-new zipper ties last Christmas, he wanted real tie-ties. He felt he needed to learn to tie his own tie to be legit. Cliff surprised him with a collection of three. Very nice.
And Jake surprised Coree with a Webkinz Sea Otter, which was on her list to Santa. It is adorable.
Coree's gift to Patrick was very clever. He had asked everyone for only money for his trip to NYC over spring break. Coree wanted to give him $20...but in a surprising way. (She said plain money would be lame.) I tried to help her think of some kind of candy that would be New York themed. 5th Avenue bars don't exist here...we thought of taping a "New" onto a package of York peppermint patties...but Patrick doesn't like peppermint patties, and Coree insisted that he like the candy, too.
At first he looked at the box of Gobstoppers with polite appreciation. Then Coree told him to open the box. She had opened and re-glued the box so that the $20 bill was right there in the punch-opening.
Get it? SHOW stoppers? Trip to Broadway for drama? Very clever, no?
I didn't know who Patrick had, but I was there when he shopped. I didn't see what he got, but he was very confident in what he was purchasing.
A couple of books that he's probably looking forward to reading, too. Well played, Patrick.
And Troy knows how easy I am to shop for. A Yankee (or Salt City) candle that smells like food. Always in good taste.
I was lucky enough to draw the Cliffster's name.
And knew he was eager to get "The Pacific" series.
We've never set a dollar limit on the gift exchange...we've just left it up to the kids, but they do have to buy the gifts from their own money. It's always worked out fine. Some years gifts are more expensive than others, and it's very touching to see them save and search with their person in mind. Every morning when Cliff puts on his nice watch, he thinks about Jake and the fact that he probably spent all the money he had on it, just because he wanted to get Dad something really good.
We put cookies out for Santa. Not really...this is just to show you most of the things I made. There are a couple of varieties missing here that I gave away before taking this photo. Pictured are (Clockwise from 12): Creamy fudge with and without nuts, peanut butter truffles, oreo truffles, mini-chip snowballs, 3 varieties of butter spritz cookies, outrageous cookie bars and Oreo fudge. Many of these things were new for me this year, and I just have to ask....homemade truffles....where have you been all my life? Oh my goodness! Same with the snowballs. They are like Mexican wedding cookies, but with mini chocolate chips instead of nuts. Now THAT'S what I call an improvement!
As usual, the stockings overflowed...and NO, I did not get the Stewart tartan ones sewn again this year...so Troy will leave on his mission before I've had matching stockings for the whole family on Christmas morning. I have failed as a mother. *sigh*
And here's the haul under the tree. Funny how much less space the presents take up as the years go buy. As kids get older, their toys get smaller...and more expensive.
Now where is the cat going to sleep? Hopefully she won't be spiteful and it will all be intact in the morning.
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