Just reading this now and enjoying ALL the ideas. My husband's family used to do the pull a name out of the hat at some summer get-together. Not everyone has to be there...his mom would send out the names to all. So my side started trying this too. It works out fine since we all get along so well. But in some families it might be tough if you get someone's name with whom you don't get along that well. It can be a good opportunity, or just a problem. I love the idea of making things - we tried that too but for everyone (or at least a family gives to another family something they made). In the end, you probably need to consider all ideas and customize. One thing is certain - only a handful of well-off family members who LOVE to shop and give will not be happy with any suggestion. Most of the time, I hear over and over that everyone found it to be much less stressful - financial and time wise. One thought is to talk the idea over with a single sibling, or parent, and see what they think. Coming up with a plan as a family is a good thing though. So if you suggest the idea, leaving part of how to go about it might be a good thing. Suggesting adults draw names, and kids still get something from the adults is one way to go. College aged "kids" can be adults, or they can concentrate on the little kids. But you might get more cooperation/interest if you give them some say in how to go about this. Good luck - hope to hear how it went!

We've had a lot of local tragedy this holiday season and no one has been feeling very holiday-ish. Our usual foodfest/staff party was postponed until January, and I had to work a lot and so didn't get very creative. Christmas Eve dinner was a POOFed hunk of leftover ham, a nice asparagus casserole, baked potatoes and three-layer cornbread. All good, but unremarkable. We went to The Kid's for Christmas Day and she put together a nice brunch. She's newly gluten-free and made a really good cranberry/apple cake. Came home and made a very excellent frittata with the last of the ham. My miss AND hit this year was those darn caramel cheetos. I wanted to make some Goose Poop for our Storytime kids and messed up the recipe. The first time I made them I used margarine and thought they were a bit oily so I decided to try butter. After they were in the oven, realized I'd left out half the butter. This time they were amazingly good...light, crispy coating. Addicting. It was fun watching people's reactions when they tried them. Doubt...raised eyebrows...then, "Oh. Wow." And they'd always reach for more, hehe.

Am in Gettysburg, PA. Camp internet is not good. have added two more. 1 .Hgl_Gayle Marie 2. Phyllis_mn 3. Monica_Pa 4. Cheryl_ok 5. Kathsgrdn 6. Stoneybaloney 7. Janie_ga 8. Millburn_jn_po_mom 9. Liira Lynn_d Terilyn Jasdip Minnie in TX Marilyn Sue Jackie Ok Wanda_va Gabby girl Pattico Maryanntx Marilyn_c 21.Joann_fla Vickey MN Toni NE Kat WA 25.Mama Toad Daisy_3gardner Murray mom marie nd Leann2800 Ont_gal I have not forgotten myself, yet! I did almost forget to add me last year tho! Mrsmarv, PLEASE email me if you want in. You posted here, but didn't email me with your address & info. I don't want to count on last year's info transfering improperly, so don't want to just use what I might have, especially with my computer problems. Cheryl, thanks for double checking me. I am saving all of this on a flash drive while on the road. Whole computer is backed up at home on an external drive. So far the screen is working, as long as I have it in the correct possition, but don't dare let it go to sleep or move the screen! Tami

Faye-BINGO in the Fotess group is 10 words, I got mine confused the other day too. Only 2 more words for BINGO. Sheri-If you will take Jan. that would be great and thank you. 2015-I can't believe how fast 2014 went. Melinda-So glad you received your get well card. I'm thinking of you daily and hope God will touch you and help the Dr's. to help you. December - Ruth (In progress) January - Sheri February - March - Erica April - May - Shirley June - July - August - Sept. - Oct. - Nov. - Dec. - Erica-I plugged you into the month of March....thanks. What a job getting all this Christmas STUFF stored away. I can't do a whole lot with my foot so I worked on it yesterday and some today and still not finished. Yes my Uncle lived here in Franklin, my Dear Aunt will probably have to go to a Nursing Facility now because she can not take care of herself. I now have my Mom, two Aunts and a Cousin in the Nursing home. I guess there will be three Aunts now very soon. My Cousin will be going home after she has physical therapy and can walk again. I'm fearing I may be there for physical therapy after I have this second foot surgery.....sure hope not. Shirley