Things do get lost in the mail, are you positive this person you are blasting didnt mail it? Can you prove she didnt? Sorry for all the questions it must be the lawyer in me, What you are doing is tantamount to slander without proof and I have read the rules for this site and you are breaking them how would you like for someone to do the same to you? I don't know either of you but I just couldnt stand by and not say anything. You are blaming one person when in reality it is most possible that she did mail it as she says and our wonderful mail system that we have in this country lost it? Can you honestly say you have never had anything lost in the mail? I wish I could but I recently had 2 packages lost that were coming to me all I can think is that there is a thief in the postal service some where along the line, But I dont get on the internet and blast people or blast the mail system and say they should not be allowed to play the game anymore, You just have to suck it up and go on. And keep in mind that in this day and age without proof it is best not to say anything or it could come back and bite you in the behind.

Like Paige, the first thing I thought of was wine glasses... or Pier One has some GREAT martini glasses - and that's something most people don't by themselves. (Ok, I have this little problem (OK, DH thinks it's getting to be a big problem)). I LOVE glassware... and have about 20 martini glasses, 30 or 40 wine glasses (both burgundy and chardonnay), lots of snifters and other barware.. but I'll always open for more. How about 2 fancy glasses, and the wine/liquor/liquer to go with it? (I love lemoncello in liquer glasses). I also love anything for my kitchen (fancy that, since this is where I hang out so much)... serving trays and bowls; ceramic dishes; cocktail, wine and hors d'ouevre plates (I've gotten some really cute things at Williams Sonoma, and I inherited glass ones from my husband's aunt); cool kitchen tools; interesting spices (see penzeys online); Then, since you are all about the same size, there is the wardrobe... scarf, hat, and gloves; etc.... How fun!

excel spreadsheets? lists? rooms dedicated to wrapping? Sheesh that's far too organized for me. I thought just getting the ornaments organized by tree was a HUGE undertaking! For wrapping I use the desperately rushed, christmas is in 4 hours, need a bottle of wine approach. I spread out the entire mess of crap with a hole in the middle for me and the wine, and begin digging my way out carefully :p I actually am organized when it comes to the decorations though. I have one attic for trees, one for ornaments that go on the trees that are on the 3rd and 4th floor as well as the decoration, and then I store the decorations and ornaments for the first floor and second floor are kept on the second floor. Less hauling down (and up) stairs that way :) I also label the boxes for the appropriate tree which is helpful when distributing boxes around the house. WHile I can obviously see what's vintage and what's traditional as well as all the other themes of a tree through the plastic boxes, I don't know how many vintage go to each tree unless I put them in separate boxes. THat leaves me just enough ornaments for each tree without taxing my little brain. I wish I could apply that kind of organization to presents LOL I do actually wrap all but the Santa ones in advance (so that's the 23rd verses the 24th btw) and those can go out under the main tree. I have been known to buy the same thing more than once...perhaps that list idea is a good one LOL Gad a room dedicated to wrapping and holiday storage...well I'm a bit nutso over christmas (major santa barf is in EVERY room) so that would have to be a big big big room! But it's a lovely fantasy!

Got 4 gift packages in the mail yesterday. They should arrive tomorrow. This was really fun. After looking at the goodies though I decided something from the oven was needed. So, made a quick batch of Palmiers using Pepperidge Farms. I took my time, pinched the ends well & was fussy about spreading the tops evenly. They came out beautiful perfect hearts. It was a last minute thing just before DH left to get them mailed so didn't get pictures. Here's the other gifts though... Preserved Lemons, Citrus Salt, Homemade Vanilla, & Grand Marnier Fig-Walnut Butter I'm so pleased with the Preserved Lemons. They have bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, red chili peppers, whole peppercorns, corriander seeds, whole cloves, & Kosher salt. After 30+ days they smell heavenly. I'm going to preserve blood oranges this way when they're available. "Tamaya Blue" & Blueberry Muffin Mix, World Peace Marinated Olives, & Spicy White Wine Whole-Grain Mustard The "Tamaya Blue" is a special roasted before milling blue cornmeal from Pueblo Santa Ana & I used our food storage freeze-dried blueberries, organic powdered eggs, butter, & milk. They're "Just Add Water". The olives have orange & rosemary plus peppercorns. I'll wait until just before Christmas to put the baskets together that will be given from under our tree. All in all, this was more fun than baking all the cookies, probably because it was different for me. I think I'll start planning next year's gifts soon. /tricia