The first two questions when I do these topics will always be the same.
1. What are you wearing right now? Yoga pants, a tank and a fleece zipup. Did have on athletic type clogs, but took them off.

2. What have you eaten today or plan on eating for dinner?
Quiche Lorraine with breakfast potatoes and fresh fruit. Fresh squeezed oj too! (Enjoyed breakfast out with hubby)

3. What was the best monetary gift you've received? Price isn't important. I'm confused by this question. Monetary meaning money? I don't really like getting money for a gift although that's all my MIL gives. LOL

4. What was the oddest gift you've received? I can't think of anything really odd. Maybe my piggy massager - kind of a gag gift.

5. What is your favorite ornament on the tree? The engraved crystal bell from our first Christmas married.

6. Do you have a special Christmas tradition? We have many traditions, always being with family, read the Christmas story, hubby and I do gifts alone on Christmas morning, Christmas Eve service, down to certain cookies, etc. prepared. Angel gifts are a tradition also. Several areas that are a must-do for Christmas lights. . . can you tell I'm traditional? LOL

7. What are your plans for Christmas? My side of family will gather at my sister's. We swap out, I did Christmas. We'll visit my MIL later in the day. I have never had a Christmas that we did not spend time with each family. Hubby's father is gone now and this is our first holiday without mom. So, a bit bittersweet.

8. Who is the hardest person to buy for? MIL

9. Do you prefer "old-fashioned" Christmas cards or a picture card? Either is fine with me.

10. Have you ever re-gifted? If so, what was it and who was it to? No.

tina

1. What are you wearing right now?

Purple sweatshirt, black tee under it, pink jammy bottoms with little green flowers, white socks, blue house shoes. All that's missing is my curlers. lol

2. What have you eaten today or plan on eating for dinner?

I had some milk and a sweet roll. Me bad, but I was too tired to fix anything else. Wheat spaghetti for dinner.

3. What was the best monetary gift you've received? Price isn't important.

A necklace with a locket holding pictures of my boys inside when they were kids.

4. What was the oddest gift you've received?

One of those navy blue speckled graniteware turkey pans. Although it's come in handy!

5. What is your favorite ornament on the tree?

A turkey wishbone my dh painted when we were poor college students and had no money for real ornaments.

6. Do you have a special Christmas tradition?

When the kids were home, my youngest son and I would make Monkey Bread on Christmas Eve night, and it would be ready by morning. We're starting a new tradition this year with mine and my DIL's family. We're going to wear pajamas all day long! Fun!

7. What are your plans for Christmas?

Driving 20 minutes to my oldest son's home, spending it with his family and my DIL's family. They are such good people and fun to be around! You'll never see us on Dr. Phil. lol

8. Who is the hardest person to buy for?

My boys. They still want "toys" for Christmas and coming up with ideas is hard because they're around 30 yr. old!

9. Do you prefer "old-fashioned" Christmas cards or a picture card?

Unless it's long lost friends or family, I want the real deal. Seems the young one's of today have to send a family portrait every year that they print off from the Internet. While nice, I'd prefer to hang cards. :(

10. Have you ever re-gifted? If so, what was it and who was it to?

Maybe a long time ago, I can't remember. But I did receive a free scarf with a gift this year and I gave it to my DIL who is going to give it to her sister. Is that re-gifting? lol

Let me clarify. Monetary means an object bought with money. Most "best gifts" are family stories, but I'm wanting to know a present bought with money as the best gift.

I'm wrong! I shouldn't have used the word monetary.

Okay, What was the best gift bought for you from a STORE? lol

1. What are you wearing right now?

Oakley, I can compete with you today. I am wearing a jersey knit dress I use as a nightgown, long silk underwear on my legs, my boiled wool slippers and a Martha Stewart style sweater. Nothing matches. DD and GS teased me about my attire this morning.

2. What have you eaten today or plan on eating for dinner?

I made a spontaneous breakfast for DD and GS, who dropped by unannounced. We had sausage, eggs and toast. GS had three truffles (recipe obtained here!) for desert.

3. What was the best monetary gift you've received? Price isn't important.

A very high quality, one carat diamond, set in my wedding ring. I lost my old cheap diamond (cost $90. wholesale) and hadn't worn my wedding ring for 6 months. This diamond is set in platinum so I won't lose it. I couldn't believe it.

4. What was the oddest gift you've received?

A paperback book titled "The Internet for Women." It should have been titled "The Internet for Women with an IQ below 60."

5. What is your favorite ornament on the tree?

The ones my kids made as children. I cherish them. Aimee is 40 so some are pretty old.

6. Do you have a special Christmas tradition?

We always drive around looking at lights and host dinner. We have relinquished several traditions as our kids grew up.

7. What are your plans for Christmas?

Dinner home.

8. Who is the hardest person to buy for?

DH.

9. Do you prefer "old-fashioned" Christmas cards or a picture card?

I don't care. It's nice to be remembered, however they want to remember me.

10. Have you ever re-gifted? If so, what was it and who was it to?

I've never re-gifted anything. I have been known to give something away if it doesn't fit and can't be returned. (MIL alert. She buys clothing gifts at outlets in the summer. Can't return or exchange after 30 days...) I give this type of thing to the thrift store.

A turkey wishbone my dh painted

Boy does that take me back! About 30 years ago I collected chicken and turkey wishbones for the tree ... covered them with glitter.

2. What have you eaten today or plan on eating for dinner?

Going to Roberto's tonight. We'll share a couple appetizers and then each have soup and salad. Gumbo for dh, crab & Brie for moi.

Roberto's

3. What was the best monetary gift you've received? Price isn't important.

One of Rhea Gary's oils. It was a combined Christmas/Birthdays gift that year for both of us.

7. What are your plans for Christmas?

Just me and the kitties this year. Having dh home the past two weeks has been a nice Christmas. The day doesn't matter for us.

Do you prefer "old-fashioned" Christmas cards or a picture card?

I love photo cards! I save them from year to year. It's so cool to go back and look at how the kids have grown.

1. What are you wearing right now?

A striped blouse, gray gabardine pants and black boots.

2. What have you eaten today or plan on eating for dinner?

Hmmm, OJ, coffee and oatmeal for breakfast, yogurt snack, skipped lunch so nibbled on some mixed nuts before our monthly staff birthday cake party. Oof, sugar rush and now a slight headache.

Tonight I'm broiling some of the last of the summer's catch of lobster tails for my daughter and myself (husband/son both away for weekend), with veggie-spiked rice and green beans. Oh, and a glass...or two...of chardonnay to celebrate the start of 2 weeks of time off for the holidays.

3. What was the best monetary gift you've received? Price isn't important.

A vase inscribed with my alma mater (and employer's) crest. Given by my son when he was just a little guy. I was soooo touched that he gave a gift he knew would have special meaning. I bleed my school's colors and anything from there is very special to me. So, I love the gift but even more love the thoughtfulness of the giver. He's a very good husband-in-training.

4. What was the oddest gift you've received?

A long sleeved denim work shirt. I don't wear denim. I don't garden. We live in Miami anyway so long sleeves are only useful about one week per year if that. How I love my passive aggressive MIL who makes it clear she doesn't really want to give me something but wants credit for presenting a gift...

5. What is your favorite ornament on the tree?

Tie: the two small photo pictures of my kids and my university-logo ornament. See question #3.

6. Do you have a special Christmas tradition?

We always get the tree the day after Thanksgiving, and I decorate it that weekend. When the kids were little we had a particular home that did a stupendous lighting display annually and we always took them to see it at some point during the season.

7. What are your plans for Christmas?

Hosting my sisters and their families, having a nice dinner then gift opening. Anticipating a very mellow time; no little kids left so it's more a chance to be together and enjoy each other.

8. Who is the hardest person to buy for?

My MIL. See question 4. My husband just took her out and replaced her dryer after the old one died, which we explained is our gift to her for Christmas. She has pretty severe memory issues at 87 so no doubt she'll forget and be pouting that we didn't get her anything. Maybe I should plunk a bow on top of the dryer when we get to her house for the Christmas gathering ;).

9. Do you prefer "old-fashioned" Christmas cards or a picture card?

I actually like picture cards. Living here the traditional images are so far from our reality that I'd just as soon see how people look instead of snowy scenary or red/green themes (don't like either color bah humbug).

10. Have you ever re-gifted? If so, what was it and who was it to?

Amazed at how many people don't do this...OF COURSE I re-gift! Constantly, but with the caveat that I never give anyone something I don't think s/he would actually like or use. Example: I regifted a B&N gift card to my sister teh avid reader as her gift this year. Regifted an adorable but way too cutesy tropical-theme shelf to a friend of my daughter. Daughter said friend will adore using it in her dorm. I really don't see anything wrong with regifting as long as the rule above is followed.

1. What are you wearing right now?

Jeans, sweater, clogs.

2. What have you eaten today or plan on eating for dinner?

Chinese for lunch, Mexican for dinner - I'm international!

3. What was the best monetary gift you've received? Price isn't important.

DH got me a cello two years ago. I have NOT gotten off my butt to take lessons. That is my new years resolution (we both already play other instruments -- him woodwinds, me brass and percussion -- but strings are a strange new frontier!)

4. What was the oddest gift you've received? Used jewelry that was ca. 1960s, but not special or particularly attractive. But it was mid-century, so surely I must like it! (from stepmother, of course, see #8, below).

5. What is your favorite ornament on the tree?

Either the hedgehog or a clown.

6. Do you have a special Christmas tradition?

My little brother and I (now we are 45 and 33) always seemed to be in the car at midnight on Christmas Eve, coming back to mom's house from dad's house. So now, even if we don't have anywhere to go, we go get in the car and drive around for a few minutes over midnight.

7. What are your plans for Christmas?

It will be crazy, still not sure who all is to be where and when. But there are three states involved, and a brand new DIL/ grandbaby (who also comes with a new set of in-laws in another city).

8. Who is the hardest person to buy for?

My stepmother. She has everything she could ever want or need. And if the gift isn't "right" she will ask you to return it, or just send it back with Dad without letting you know it is coming!! But that doesn't stop her from getting me stupid gifts that she is incredibly jazzed about and that I graciously accept.

9. Do you prefer "old-fashioned" Christmas cards or a picture card?

Either one.

10. Have you ever re-gifted? If so, what was it and who was it to?

Yes - small gifts like office-mate gifts, or dirty santa gifts.

1. What are you wearing right now?

I am always wearing the same thing when I answer this: garden/house/ dog clothes

2. What have you eaten today or plan on eating for dinner?
Ok, I'll take a shot: pan seared shrimp with chardonnay butter and pasta, cashews, almonds, orange juice, coffee with half and half, cheese straws, wine, cookies, pretzels, Greek yogurt, toffee.
Tonight's a big salad.

3. What was the best monetary gift you've received? Price isn't important.
When I was young and poor, a friend gave me a hundred dollars to help me out. I never forgot it and passed it on many times since. It made such a difference in my life at that time.

4. What was the oddest gift you've received?

MIL gave me a woman's uhhmm, feminine "product" in case I got stuck in the car and couldn't make it to a bathroom to urinate. Dh got the male equivalent. Once she gave me a specially designed (not) toilet brush.

5. What is your favorite ornament on the tree?

Some mercury glass mushrooms with faces. Some are smiling, some are grimacing, I love them!

6. Do you have a special Christmas tradition?

Usually a long walk with the dogs

7. What are your plans for Christmas?

Quiet and simple with family

8. Who is the hardest person to buy for?

Dh I've given up.

9. Do you prefer "old-fashioned" Christmas cards or a picture card?
I do like picture cards

10. Have you ever re-gifted? If so, what was it and who was it to?
I don't know what this means. If I am given a brand new item and it remains brand new - i.e. with tags, packaging, etc. - but I don't use it but "pass" it on to someone I think it would be perfect for, how is that wrong?
But I've never done it. I'm easy to please and like most things and usually get nice things. My toilet brush is useful!

1. What are you wearing right now?
My "uniform" -- jeans and a sweater. Black cashmere sweater from Lands End -- I am short, these come in petite sizes, and they're often on sale -- they are my favorite sweaters! I have collected a few.

2. What have you eaten today or plan on eating for dinner?
Eating light because we're going out to dinner w/ friends tonight: Chobani yogurt, 2 clementines, 1/2 a ham and cheese sandwich, and a granola bar.

3. What was the best monetary gift you've received? Price isn't important.
One year before Christmas, I saw a sapphire ring in a jewelry store window that I fell in love with. I knew DH had already bought me some things, and that this ring went beyond our usual gift budget, but the salesperson gave me a card with the info about the ring. I mentioned the ring when I got home and told DH "maybe someday" he might get it for me. He put it in my stocking that year. This was probably 6-7 years ago and I still wear the ring every day. I did, however, ask for a new ring this year. ;)

4. What was the oddest gift you've received?
A really bad dried flower arrangement.

5. What is your favorite ornament on the tree?
An ornament featuring a photo of DD on Santa's lap. She is around 2 years old and she's screaming her head off.

6. Do you have a special Christmas tradition?
Nothing huge, but a few minor ones. One is that "Santa" puts the kids' stockings just outside their bedroom doors. We did this when they were little to buy us a little extra time before we had to go downstairs and see what was under the tree. My oldest DS, who is 18, still wakes up unreasonably early on Christmas morning! When he was young, it was sometimes 4 am.

7. What are your plans for Christmas?
Going to BIL's on Xmas Eve for a large gathering... my dad will be here for a couple of days... SIL will be here the day after Christmas, just for the day. And a party at a friends' house on the 23rd. All fun and mostly low-stress! Hurrah.

8. Who is the hardest person to buy for?
My dad. He is very easy to please, it's just hard to come up with ideas for him.

9. Do you prefer "old-fashioned" Christmas cards or a picture card?
Love the picture cards. And with 3 kids, it would never occur to me to send a card without a photo!

10. Have you ever re-gifted? If so, what was it and who was it to?
Maybe a bottle of wine... otherwise, I don't think so. I'm too afraid of being found out! I have, however, donated unwanted gifts to charity.

1. What are you wearing right now?

Jeans, sweater, clogs.

2. What have you eaten today or plan on eating for dinner?

Chinese for lunch, Mexican for dinner - I'm international!

3. What was the best monetary gift you've received? Price isn't important.

DH got me a cello two years ago. I have NOT gotten off my butt to take lessons. That is my new years resolution (we both already play other instruments -- him woodwinds, me brass and percussion -- but strings are a strange new frontier!)

4. What was the oddest gift you've received? Used jewelry that was ca. 1960s, but not special or particularly attractive. But it was mid-century, so surely I must like it! (from stepmother, of course, see #8, below).

5. What is your favorite ornament on the tree?

Either the hedgehog or a clown.

6. Do you have a special Christmas tradition?

My little brother and I (now we are 45 and 33) always seemed to be in the car at midnight on Christmas Eve, coming back to mom's house from dad's house. So now, even if we don't have anywhere to go, we go get in the car and drive around for a few minutes over midnight.

7. What are your plans for Christmas?

It will be crazy, still not sure who all is to be where and when. But there are three states involved, and a brand new DIL/ grandbaby (who also comes with a new set of in-laws in another city).

8. Who is the hardest person to buy for?

My stepmother. She has everything she could ever want or need. And if the gift isn't "right" she will ask you to return it, or just send it back with Dad without letting you know it is coming!! But that doesn't stop her from getting me stupid gifts that she is incredibly jazzed about and that I graciously accept.

9. Do you prefer "old-fashioned" Christmas cards or a picture card?

Either one.

10. Have you ever re-gifted? If so, what was it and who was it to?

Yes - small gifts like office-mate gifts, or dirty santa gifts.

1. What are you wearing right now?
Black turtleneck knit shirt w/ rolled up blue jeans and tan Birkenstock clogs.

2. What have you eaten today or plan on eating for dinner?
Oh geez. I've been baking cookies all day and feel like puking at this point. 'Nuff said?

3. What was the best monetary gift you've received? Price isn't important.
DH gets me a piece of All-Clad every year.

4. What was the oddest gift you've received?
My mom got me a framed cross stitch one year. First of all, nothing anything close to my style. Second, it was filthy like she pulled it out of someone's trash. I half expected to turn the thing over and see a hairy piece of bubble gum stuck to it.

5. What is your favorite ornament on the tree?
My German Christmas Pickle. It's sparkly.

6. Do you have a special Christmas tradition?
One year I totally forgot to get something to eat for Christmas Eve. All the grocery stores and good restaurants are closed so if you don't get it early you're SOL. So we ate at a Chinese buffet. DH had such a hoot with it we decided to make it a tradition and for the last four years we've had Chinese buffet on Christmas Eve.

7. What are your plans for Christmas?
This year is totally different because everyone is going out of town so it will be just DH and me. We've decided to eat fruit and appetizers all day and go see a movie, maybe Tron or True Grit.

8. Who is the hardest person to buy for?
My BIL. You know, the guy who has everything.

9. Do you prefer "old-fashioned" Christmas cards or a picture card? Sure the pictures are nice but either is fine.

10. Have you ever re-gifted? If so, what was it and who was it to? A beautiful silk scarf that I would never wear so I gave it my Mom. She's a scarf person and loved it.

Bumble, if there was a contest for Best of Oddest Gift given to, you win hands down! lol.

Sue, my 32 year old son has your 18 year old son beat! My ds wants us at his house at 7am on Christmas morning!

I bought him a couple of real toys this year, so it should be fun.

Natal, you've got your priorities straight, spending time with your husband at any time is the best gift ever.

I know, oakly, I revel in that story!

1. What are you wearing right now?
-Black jeans, sox, heather gray t-shirt.

2. What have you eaten today or plan on eating for dinner?
-I had an egg mcmuffin for breakfast, with coffee. Lunch was half a bowl of nasty chili. Luckily there was food at work, so I grazed on goodies...chicken salad on a cracker, fruit, a coconut macaroon, a slice of pumpkin bread and a cranberry cookie. Just grilled some steaks, but I don't feel like eating right now.

3. What was the best monetary gift you've received? Price isn't important.
-Not really a gift, but when I was married to my first husband, we got an unexpected check for almost $4,000 from a wage underpayment. We were days away from having our 2nd baby, and we didn't have a car and were just broke. It was a lifesaver and was the catalyst that got our lives back on track.

4. What was the oddest gift you've received?
-a mirror in the shape of a seal with a ball on it's nose.

5. What is your favorite ornament on the tree?
-It's a vintage glass one that is like an elongated sphere.

6. Do you have a special Christmas tradition?
-Kids are allowed to open one present from Grandma & Grandpa on Christmas Eve. That doesn't happen any more, so we still do the Christmas Stocking...the kids tear those open as soon as they come over.

7. What are your plans for Christmas?
-I'm cooking for everyone, and we're hosting here. All the kids will be here, my good friend, and my Mom & her DH. Possibly another couple, but mostly just eating & playing games.

8. Who is the hardest person to buy for?
-My mother. I've never been able to find the perfect gift for her.

9. Do you prefer "old-fashioned" Christmas cards or a picture card?
-I don't know if I like picture cards, because they tend to be so pretentious. My friend, however, does a collage photo card every New Year, pix from the whole year, and it's fun.

10. Have you ever re-gifted? If so, what was it and who was it to?
-Just once. We were given a Soprano's game...we'd never even seen the show, so I have it to someone who was a fan.

Oops...guess I should have read from the top down...

Monetary gift...that would have been the Christmas I was expecting my first child. I had my heart set on a mirror I'd seen in a store I walked past every day. Under the tree was a package shaped like that mirror, but instead it was a print of a baby sitting in a washtub with a cloth up to her face. My then husband said it looked to him like our unborn baby, and it was PERFECT and I cherished that print. Unfortunately, I no longer have it, but I still have that baby (only she's now an adult!)

1. What are you wearing right now? gray sweatpants, tshirt wool hiking socks, slippers.

2. What have you eaten today or plan on eating for dinner? coffee its too early.

3. What was the best monetary gift you've received? Price isn't important. the kitchen aid stand mixer from my parents- it was the last Christmas gift from my Mom.

4. What was the oddest gift you've received? A beautifully wrapped box that contained an empty bottle of a liquer. The SIL supposedly wrapped the wrong box.

5. What is your favorite ornament on the tree? The ones my children made, now 27 and 22.

6. Do you have a special Christmas tradition? Until 2 years ago- on Christmas Eve, the 4 of us would watch the Muppets Christmas Carol( still my fav) and then the Santa Clause with Tim Allen. A fire in the woodstove and a deli platter- (kids assembled their own) and Christmas cookies. It was touching to see my grown kids, in their pjs, lying on the living room floor watching the movies!

7. What are your plans for Christmas? Christmas Eve party at DDs BFs parents house. wake up on Christmas Day open gifts eat our traditional breakfast casserole. Christmas dinner here- maybe- DD will probably go to BFs.

8. Who is the hardest person to buy for? DH

9. Do you prefer "old-fashioned" Christmas cards or a picture card? I like em all.

10. Have you ever re-gifted? If so, what was it and who was it to? No.

"What was the oddest gift you've received? A beautifully wrapped box that contained an empty bottle of a liquer. The SIL supposedly wrapped the wrong box."

Hmmm, cooper did you try to get a whiff of SIL's breath to see where the liqueur might have gone??? This one made me laugh out loud!

I thought of another oddest-gift in my family. This is actually an oddest-gift pattern. My stepmother loves to travel and she and my dad do several 6-8 week long trips to various parts of the globe annually. She has this system whereby she buys things, usually useless touristy trinkets, and presents them proudly to us as gifts. Except inevitably somewhere on the item is that tiny little tag that says 'Made in China'. It's become an in-joke among my sisters. "So, what did you get from Tanzania?" "Oh, that was the made in China Tanzanian doll"...

1. What are you wearing right now?
Sweat pants, tee shirt, socks, and slippers

2. What have you eaten today or plan on eating for dinner?
So far, a tangerine, 2 cups of tea, and a piece of toast with peanut butter & cinnamon. No ideas about dinner yet.

3. What was the best monetary gift you've received?
A few years ago my DH surprised me with a trip to Aruba. We had been there 2 years earlier but I was covered in hives, had to see a doctor for a shot, & he threw out his back. He gave me a "do-over" trip. It was so unexpected and fun. We managed to do the second trip without incident.

4. What was the oddest gift you've received?
Off the top of my head: every year getting ornaments from my in-laws: from places I haven't visited but they have, or some series from Hallmark (but never the whole series),or some event I haven't attended. I have only put a tree up probably 5 times in the past 17 years but we still received ornaments, tree or no tree. This year I did do a tree, since my niece & nephew are visiting, so I went through the boxes and used any thing non-breakable. It's a mix of things so it looks like a tree full of memories but most aren't my memories, just ornaments purchased for me. They came in handy this year since most are plastic or otherwise unbreakable so they filled the tree.

5. What is your favorite ornament on the tree?
Obviously, based on above, I don't have a lot of emotion tied to the ornaments. I'd have to go look at the tree to see what's on there to determine if one was a favorite.

6. Do you have a special Christmas tradition?
We always do a driving tour of the light displays. We do dinner here on Xmas eve and breakfast at his sister's on Xmas day.

7. What are your plans for Christmas?
Still to be determined but it will involve at least one family dinner here.

8. Who is the hardest person to buy for?
I don't have an answer for this. DH & I don't exchange, I buy very few presents for others, and his family is just a gift card exchange from a prepared list. I enjoy buying the few gifts I do and haven't found it hard yet.

9. Do you prefer "old-fashioned" Christmas cards or a picture card?
I love the picture cards & I save them to see how the kids or pets have changed. A few years ago, a couple we know sent a photo of themselves, instead of the kids, with a note about sure everyone's kids are cute but this is how we're holding up. It was funny and a clever twist.

10. Have you ever re-gifted? If so, what was it and who was it to? I'm sure I have but I don't remember what. I am upfront about it and say I couldn't use this but thought you could.

1. What are you wearing right now?

Sneakers and workout clothes

2. What have you eaten today or plan on eating for dinner?

Scrambled eggs and fiber one toast

3. What was the best monetary gift you've received? Price isn't important
. diamond earrings

4. What was the oddest gift you've received?

A large Resin Duck with a baby , it came with several outfits for every holiday

5. What is your favorite ornament on the tree?

The ones with my kids photos

6. Do you have a special Christmas tradition?

Up early, kids (funny I say because but they are 19,21,24,29,31,and 36) hubby and I open gifts one at a time from youngest to oldest, we lost to many pieces of things when we unwrapped in a frenzy. (3 of my girls are still home the other 3 come over a little later with their children and we start over.)

7. What are your plans for Christmas?

Home with family, dinner at DD #1

8. Who is the hardest person to buy for?

DH

9. Do you prefer "old-fashioned" Christmas cards or a picture card?

I love getting any kind of card, but I especially like the Photo cards

10. Have you ever re-gifted? If so, what was it and who was it to?

No

H, your story about the ornaments (which is hilarious!) reminded me of a new tradition started by my MIL which I am now passing onto my DIL.

Every Christmas my MIL would give me an ornament, usually floral which she found at craft fairs. We never had money for nice ornaments when we were young so these became very special to me.

On a side note, for some reason she stopped doing that and now gives me an Amaryliss bulb every Christmas. lol

What I now do is give my DIL her ornament on Thanksgiving so she can enjoy it during the Christmas season. I've given her 6 so far, for the 6 years they've been married.

I don't go to craft fairs very often, so I spend around $10-$20 on an ornament I know she'll love but won't spend money on.

I hope she passes on this tradition to her children when they get married.

The first two questions when I do these topics will always be the same.
1. What are you wearing right now?
Cargo pants, black tee shirt, pumpkin colored shawl (we live in a victorian, which is always cold LOL)

2. What have you eaten today or plan on eating for dinner?
We had brunch at a local place...Mom and I split a french toast and a ham and egg thing in spanish style (a bit spicy but yummy)

3. What was the best monetary gift you've received? Price isn't important.
DH has given me many pieces of antique jewelry. I can't name a favorite as I love them all. Maybe the tiffany love birds with pearls in their nest...but really, I love them all.

4. What was the oddest gift you've received?
A box of mac a roni and cheese and a picture of a dog.

5. What is your favorite ornament on the tree?
I have a bunch of trees...dang I suppose the mom in me should answer the horrificly ugly white clay thing that holds a pic of DS which he made for me in school. It's adorable in it's uglyness and I will probably treasure it for life LOL

6. Do you have a special Christmas tradition?
Jammies on christmas eve are always a gift which we wear on christmas day.

7. What are your plans for Christmas?
Dinner with family on Christmas eve and grandma will join us for christmas day. After a few years of christmas in the hospital with DS, proceeding many years away from "home" I have to say I treasure having mom nearby to share the holidays with us.

8. Who is the hardest person to buy for?
My husband!!! If he wants something he buys it. Which makes it hard to buy for him.

9. Do you prefer "old-fashioned" Christmas cards or a picture card?
Both

10. Have you ever re-gifted? If so, what was it and who was it to?
Oh ya! Those gift basket things are great regifts LOL Don't tell though ok?

Re the picture cards, I've never been sent one off the internet (do you mean they email it to you?). I do get many with either a photo enclosed or those nice cards which frame a picture. I save the pictures. I have a friend who adopted 3 children from Guatemala and her picture card each year (the kids are 13, 14 and 15 now) is something I eagerly anticipate!

tina

1. What are you wearing right now?
~ 26 y/o sweats (I swear) and sandals . . . I need to do some laundry today ;^D

2. What have you eaten today or plan on eating for dinner?
~my breakfast this morning: a thin slice of green chile quiche, half of a small cranberry-orange scone, fresh pineapple, black coffee

3. What was the best monetary gift you've received? Price isn't important.
~ a really great electric foot massager from Sharper Image . . . with all brick floors here, I love that thing!!!

4. What was the oddest gift you've received?
~ the first Christmas after we were married, DH's sister sent us a pair of 18" tall, hand-painted, plaster wall decs that were ( cutesy, UGLY, garish, creepy) chefs, one Italian and one French. OMG, they were seriously hideous! DH & I took one look at them and threw them in the trash can . . . in the garage . . . under a lot of crumpled gift wrap so that we didn't have to look at them ever again. This was 28 years ago but I still shudder every time I think of those creepy things!

5. What is your favorite ornament on the tree?
~ the Fisher-Price animals from the mobile that I used for both my kids. I couldn't bear to throw it away when they got older, so I took it apart, tied ribbons onto each animal and have used use them on our family tree (The Story of Us tree) ever since. They bring back a lot of happy memories.

6. Do you have a special Christmas tradition?
~ Christmas Eve is always just us (as we host a big gathering here on Christmas Day). We have the same special tamales with my homemade red chile sauce dinner, read the Christmas story from the Bible and then open up Christmas presents from friends and grandparents. Afterwards, we walk around our small development of 11 homes, looking at the lit farolitos and Christmas lights.

7. What are your plans for Christmas?
~ Since all of our family lives out-of-state, we host a gathering of close friends here on Christmas Day . . . a very festive sit-down dinner with hilarious games afterwards . . . usually "Apples to Apples" and "Catch Phrase".

8. Who is the hardest person to buy for?
~ DS now that he's in the Army and travels oversees and between posts. Everything needs to be small, lightweight, very usable (as opposed to frivolous) and travel-worthy.

9. Do you prefer "old-fashioned" Christmas cards or a picture card?
~ I like them both . . . and I like them even better when they come with a nice, newsy letter.

10. Have you ever re-gifted? If so, what was it and who was it to?
~ Not that I recall, but I wouldn't be opposed to it if the gift was a nice one . . . unlike those creepy plaster chefs ;^D
Lynn

Oh Lynn, do you have a recipe for the green chile quiche? Sounds so good!