I have one that is more strange than funny, but appropriate for a decorating forum. Many years ago, just before Christmas, my BIL and his wife remodeled their kitchen, using apples as a theme--dark red and forest green colors. My MIL called and told me that for Christmas she and FIL were buying BIL/SIL new dishes, to match their new kitchen. She described the dishes as having apples painted on them, with a dark green edge band. Then she said, "And we'd like to get you new dishes, too." I was thrilled, because I'd been thinking of buying a new set of dishes to replace our old odds-and-ends, but hadn't wanted to spend the money. I told my MIL this, and thanked her, and mentioned that either a cream color, or a light sage green would look good in my kitchen. MIL: "No, we're getting you the same dishes, with apples on them, because that's what FIL likes." Me: "But, we don't have anything with apples on it in our kitchen, and really, nothing red or forest green." (The kitchen had no theme--it was neutral with cream and tan, and some light blue-green vintage pottery.) MIL: "Well, that's what we're getting you, and I'm sure they'll be just fine." Me: "Um, OK, thank you. That's really nice of you." On Christmas I opened the package, thanked the in-laws again, then used the hated apple dishes for about a year and a half. One day when the in-laws showed up for family dinner, I put out my brand new cream and sage dishes, that I'd finally bought for myself, without saying a word. Neither of them ever mentioned my new dishes. I love my FIL and my late MIL, and that was so out of character for them, it still puzzles me. BTW, I packed away the apple dishes, until just recently, when my DD needed dishes for her new place. She was happy to see the familiar pattern, especially since the dishes came from her grandparents. :)

When my kids were very little (before being able to read), I had different paper for each child. Then my husband and I could relax on the couch and they would know which gifts they could open without us having to read the tag on each one. (Am I lazy or what? ) It also makes wrapping go much faster if you have the gifts presorted by person and don't have to change paper for each gift. In our family, Santa brings each child one big thing and the rest of the gifts are from mom and dad. I buy special paper for the gifts from Santa (usually with pictures of Santa on it). I make gift tags with "special" writing and these gifts are placed under the tree separately for the other gifts. That paper never makes another appearance. Santa also leaves each child a letter about their behavior and accomplishments for the past year. It's getting harder to pull this off each year. Happy Holidays!

I think it sounds like a nice idea... as long as no one thinks that you are trying to tell them what they can give to who. Gift giving is about the thought but it generally needs to be the thought of the giver not someone else :-) If my family decided not to give any gifts, I would prefer to collect gifts (or make them) for a family in need or for a shelter. And, honestly, I would want to be able to give my nieces and nephews gifts. I'm not talented at making items, except maybe food and most food items I give out cost more than other gifts I give out. Even if someone told me not to buy store gifts for Christmas for my nieces and nephews (unless it was their parents), I would still do it. After I put a lot and lot of "thought" into it, I would know they would just not enjoy a homemade gift from me :-) I think whatever you want to give and do for your family is fine --that thought comes from you. But some people may already have their shopping done, may not have supplies like you do, and/or may even find it cheaper to buy gifts on sale than to make them. I think if you need to limit gift giving.. pulling names or cutting adults out may be a better option. Little kids are just not going to get it. You don't need to spoil them with a new XBOX, but an Elmo doll or $5 game from Big Lots will probably be enough to keep them happy. Right or wrong, I just don't suspect little kids are going to be happy with a bunch of homemade items on Christmas.

Well, a few arrived today. Lc. needed dividing - was huge and a note said it would need repotting. The brat and ali were a bit disappointing, half of each has some very wrinkled pseudobulbs. The good news is that they are older pseudos, and the young ones are very plump. The bad news, half the plant will need to be disposed of when the pseudos yellow/brown. And then came the surprises: A couple of the ones DH did not tell me about arrived. Two paphs, in bloom! Paph. 'Odette's Vision': Paph. 'Venus Night':