Christmas Shopping

I began my official Christmas shopping today. As long as I don't have to spend too much time in the malls, I don't mind the crowds associated with Christmas shopping. I think today I got about half of it done. I have gifts still to buy for my sister and brother-in-law, but they sent me a list of stuff they wanted and they have a price limit, so it's not going to be too difficult. I also have my mom and step-dad to buy for . . . They don't feel they need much, but my mom has an impressive Santa collection that I've been adding to for the last few years. I always look for non-traditional or funny Santas. Thought I'd found one today, but I didn't want to buy the display model and two other Zellers were out of this particular Santa. So it's back to the drawing board. But I've discovered that finding a non-traditional Santa isn't really that difficult if you know where to look. I have a couple of friends still to buy for, but unless I've radically miscounted, I think that's about it. It feels good, and it was fairly easy on the wallet too!

Hope your December has started off as well as mine!

Early Christmas Present

I got an early Christmas present this year! Yesterday I was invited to my sister's company Christmas dinner . . . by her coworker Yvonne! Technically speaking it was Jennifer who called me to invite me, but she did it on behalf of Yvonne. It was a very nice gesture and a wonderful surprise. Ever since my brother-in-law Lance has been working for the insurance company, I've been hearing about the Christmas dinner from Jennifer. This year I will actually get to go! It's an all-expenses paid dinner at the Royal Oak restaurant :-) It's the same week as my own company's Christmas dinner, which happens to be the same week that I'm getting together with some friends to get some Christmas crafting done. It's going to be one busy week!

I'm very excited about this coming Christmas. I'm going to be spending Christmas day with my mom, sister, brother-in-law and step-dad at my step-sister's house. On Boxing Day I'll be with my step-mom, sister, brother-in-law and step-sister. We'll go visit my dad that day too. On New Year's Day I'll have dinner at my mom's house . . . and she's promised some delicious German food! Among the dishes being served: Rouladen and Spaetzle (German noodles). I've been promised leftovers to take to work the next day. It's going to be a big crowd that day - mom, step-dad, sister, brother-in-law (and his parents), step-brother and step-sister-in-law, possibly my step-sister and her family (including her in-laws), close family friends . . . I've lost count already!

Now I just have to get through the last few weeks of work for the year!