My kids are now all adults though they are students. Any money they spend is really our money. So we are not encouraging any lavish gifts. Our son has said before, the fact that he will not graduate in debt is the biggest gift he could ask for. Plus, it can be a lot of pressure to find a "perfect" gift: I remember that particular stress from Christmas gifts exchanged in my small office. Our boss would always get us something amazing (not expensive, just "perfect"): it set the bar too high for us peons. I loved everyone there but IÂm glad I donÂt have to deal with that anymore. I accumulate an Amazon wish list over the year: and keep adding to it. Any family member can just check that list and know they are getting me a book or CD I really want. Sometimes I make it even easier on them and order it myself! Since I have maybe 20 items on there I have no idea ahead of time what they might pick: keeps the surprise element. My husband had always been the hardest person to buy for. But he wore out 2 pairs of shoes this fallÂgreat timing! He is starting a new job with a long walk from the commuter rail station: hat and gloves! My digital camera just bit the dustÂgreat timing again (no, I did NOT drop it on purpose). Our son wants an "interview" suit. He needs it anyway, but chose to ask for this for Christmas. He has always worn his DadÂs: but they are not the same size, itÂs time he had his own. So we will make a day of it and all go as a family to choose it together. Our daughter is still at an age where she wants a lot, but doesnÂt trust us to select it. She send an e-mail with specificsÂthings she thought we couldnÂt mess up! Both "kids" will get various fun, inexpensive surprises in their stockings. Colorful notepads, decks of cards, makeup for daughter.

Jan, Your hoyas and flowers are beautiful. I hope some of my hoyas will bloom for me this year. I really lucked out this past nov and was able to buy a small rooted Hoya Calycina. It was very yellow looking when the mail man gave it to me( 10 days in a box )It is starting to get some green colour back so I think it will be OK.This same person also gave a me cutting of mindorensis which rooted very quickly. I hope I do not have to Waite to long to see beautiful flowers like yours Jan. I wish every one lots of hoya blooms and hoya growth in the comming year. Cindy

Framing would be a great idea except that it is a letter written on both sides of the paper. My mom is getting him a clear sleeve to slide it into. That way he can pull it out easily whenever he wants to hold it, and yet it will still be protected. It is in really good shape for being 33 years old, we figure probably because it was stored in an envelope in the attic and away from any direct light which kept it from fading or getting damaged. My brother was really happy, I guess that's the only way I can describe it. He just kept holding it and reading it over and over saying "This is really neat". And he kept smiling. I told him "It's like Dad gave us a present this year" and he smiled and said "Yep!"

Thanks all. Here is the reverse side where I went crazy with the glue gun. Each look about the same. I did tuck in a sprig of fresh cedar at the bottom. The cones are real but the pine and berry tip is artificial. re the candles - unfortunately they are not on timers so I have to reach in to turn on and off. The package says they burn for 250 hours on two AA batteries. I won't turn them on until dark and then off before bed. On Christmas Eve I usually let my tree lights on over night and probably will do so with the candles.