LOL, Melati--I WISH!!! We'll probably have to make that direction a whole *nuther plan*--maybe next-year's anniversary! Dave--thank you so much, too!! I'm definitely going to have to have 'a plan'!! Now, tell me this *you guys* with the extensive collections you already have--what in the world do I bring you, that you DO NOT ALREADY HAVE??? I'm getting nervous!!! My 'picken's are such 'small potatoes' compared with anyone you've suggested visiting, including yourselves!! LOL btw--do NOT fear--I would NEVER ask you for a piece of your hosta! I only tease on the forum, with such boldness, (and with those I've already 'traded' with) but in 'real life' I'd be horrified to do that!! Just not the way I wuz brought up--southern roots, ya know--well, maybe you don't but trust me--they're still in 'there'!!! :o) And, if I go over a certain one you have--I AM NOT hinting for you to bring out the shovel, okay? I'm just enthusiastic about ANYTHING I see that I think is awesome, admirable, or beautiful, and for the life-of-me, I cannot refrain from letting my appreciation be known!!! :o/ So--DO NOT--DO NOT let my enthusiasm make you squirm nor compelled to dig up a perfectly beautiful clump, destroying it's symmetry for the rest of the season, JUST to give me a piece of it, cause I'm excited by it's maturity and beauty!!! Seriously--I will, undoubtedly, LOVE them ALL!!! And, I can wait to get whatever it is I may be 'blown away' about, someday--but--I may be taking copious notes, if you don't mind!! ;o)

I gave both of my kids a grad party when they graduated from HS. Both were essentially the same. Sunday afternoon around 2 pm. Lots (LOTS) of munchies - chips, dips, veggies, cookies, brownies, cheese, that sort of thing. No activities were planned. I invited my close friends, and they invited their friends. I served wine for the adults, cokes for the kids. Everyone sat around munching & schmoozing and a good time was had by all. Simple. For gifts, I recommend things that have to do with the college they will be going to (for those who are going). T-shirt, sweat shirt, rug for dorm room, blanket, etc, with college logo. If they are going away to another city, books with information on that city. Mostly my kids got checks for gifts, but a few people gave them what I just named above and they liked those gifts a lot.

Grandma loves jam and teas.....so she gets some special herb teas she wouldn't buy herself and also some small jars of various jams (usually baby jars recycled with the jam in). She likes to have a variety of toppings for her toast and doesn't like to have the bigger jars all opened taking up room in the fridge. Also "fridgies" those magnets for the fridge, shopping list pads (from dollar store - magnet mount for the fridge), book marks for book people, the odd handmade ornament..usually something small crocheted or knitted..for the seamstress in our lives...bobbins and a new seam ripper....Nothing is over 2 or 3 bucks in our stockings. Grandma also likes magazines and we will put some special one in for her to enjoy Christmas day.

My teen boys usually get the AXE gift packs. I think they are starting to move away from that to Old Spice. Don't buy anything in a spray. You can thank me later. My daughter is a teen this month. She loves the face masks, makeup, bath bombs, fingernail polish in bright or glittery colors. Her favorite store is Hot Topic for fandom clothes. She has certain bands she likes and then Supernatural, Dr. Who, Harry Potter, etc. She also likes to take my makeup and hair things.