Shee, that is too funny. I can relate to the reactions of some family members who are not obsessed with decorating the dining table. Last Christmas when DB & DSIL arrived, they took one look at my table and started calling me "Aunt Sandy", a reference to Sandra Lee, a food channel show host who includes tablescape ideas as part and parcel of her cooking show. I think there was a compliment in the comment as I've since caught a couple of her episodes. Yes, some are a bit over the top even for me, but she seems very handy and gives ideas as well reasonable and practical sources so that viewers can get a similar "look". I've always used my wedding china, over the years have collected 14 placesettings of Lenox holiday china and the happy recipient of Chalfonte "Indian Summer" china pattern, all remaining placesettings together with serving pieces -a gift from my DM. "Indian Summer" was her wedding china. I was amazed at how many pieces were intact as the china is over 50 years old. I really have no memory of seeing the china growing up which may explain why there is so much of it left. Seems as though back in the day one didn't use their china but for very special occasions. Your family is definitely going to be impressed when they see your beautiful hurricanes. I've seen your kitchen space on the decorating forum and I think you will have lot's of "wow" compliments. I do think they will look great lit on your tables for Thanksgiving dinner!

It is a great idea!!! I do the ornaments with child's name and year for my son and nieces. We got a dog last Saturday and now he has one too. I have so many ornaments that we have a kids tree that we let them help decorate and all of their ornaments go up there. I am still debating whether or not they will get the ornaments when they have their own place. I think I will need something to hold onto when they go their separate ways. LOL :~D I also keep a trunk of what nots for my son, just in case I am not here when he is older. I am only 20 yrs older than he is but you never know. I have personal journals and baby books for him. But, I also have a journal that everyone is free to write in (family and friends). I ask them to put the date, write as if they are talking to him and sign it. I love to read this journal best because sometimes they see things that I don't. He is 7 now and the journal was started when he was about 1. Lots to read - makes me teary-eyed. LOL This year he played football for the first time and I took pictures with a digital camera every game. I would make a slideshow in powerpoint and send it to all the players parents via email. They loved them. I am thinking about doing a slideshow for him as an overview of the year. One year I did a monthly newsletter for the kids. Each would have a section that I would let them write. It would also include a calendar for their upcoming events, update on their sizes, favorite foods, movies and colors, etc. I would send it to all family members just to keep them updated. I really need to find the time to do that again. I have so many ideas in my head just so little time. My dream is to set up an area where I can do family type memorabilia. I have been gathering pictures and stuff for years and would like to organize and make gifts for next year. Maybe that will be my new years resolution!!!!!! Happy Holidays and Enjoy your families

Here is a little baskets filled with goodies galore to make you feel pampered that's what this gift is for Many personal items can be found within Not only for my sister but also for my twin So enjoy these gifts I've gathered together just for you Sit back and relax that's all you have to do Something like this?

I think it's a swell gift idea and would be pleased to find it in my stocking so I hope your gifts were received with good cheer, Lynn. My friend's son recently had his done and was tickled to find some Australian native DNA in his background. Scandinavian/German/Italian was all that was in the oral tradition of the family, so it was a neat surprise. Our family's Ancestry.com hobbyist received an email from a "surprise" cousin that we did not know we had, after several family members' DNA was registered. Photos were exchanged and yes, there is no way to deny the blood kinship--he looks just like the rest of us, poor fellow. The generation of folks who might have been shocked/hurt by this surprise family member are all gone, and I am glad for him that his lifelong question of paternity could be answered. I can see that it might be awkward for younger families who find out they have siblings they never heard of, but I'm a fan of sunlight in dark family corners-- and I also think it's time that some kinds of families stop acting like those situations never happen "among our kind of people", lol. I also had my dog's DNA done and I'm getting our newer dog's done, too. Very fun to find out what went into these rescue/shelter mutts we love.