Count me in with the adult kids, no grands and missing the mornings excitement. What we do is get very creative with the wrapping. The boys especially compete for most creative wrap. One year i got DS some yard tools, and i used poster board to create a giant snowman. The tools were taped to the back and handles were used as arms. I added a scarf and mittens. They were all so surprised- figured' it was just another of Moms goofy attempts at holiday decorating. Lately its been big ticket gifts, but I supplement that with small items bought from local artisan fairs, such as hand made soap, soy candles or treats. There is a vendor who makes incredible cake ball truffles the boys love, and another who makes Indian nut brittle, DD1s favorite. Those are the elaborately wrapped items. But the all-time favorite is the stocking. We use the same ones every year-theyve been personalized with each persons name. I have mine from my childhood, the kids` original stockings from their first Christma, and every one who joins us gets one. I keep them and we reuse them every year. I even have the ex-BFs and ex-GFs! And since Christmas in our family always includes friends or extended family, I keep a supply of new stockings on hand. They are such a hit for all ages. The key is the stockings contain very inexpensive goodies. I go to the dollar store and find fun things-sudoko and word search books; packets of kleenex; paper airplanes and puzzles. Ive recently been adding calendars which are a HUGE hit. Sticky notes, lip balm, pocket size hand sanitizer, disposable lighters, packs of band aids, and ALWAYS candy bars & a scratch off lottery ticket. Oh, and an orange. Thats always in the toe. One year I forgot the oranges and they were so disappointed. I pick up trinkets all year long for the stockings. Those end caps at the grocery store checkstands yeild good selections.

I run mine on the kitchen table with a painters drop cloth under it, not much splash but the cut pieces are wet and crusty with glass dust so they make the bigger mess. Also it does throw bits and pieces sometimes and I find that setting a cardboard box on its side and just under the back of the water bath helps contain the shrapnel.

We have a neighbor kitty who loves to annoy our cats through the storm door and windows. My large kitty especially hates him. I think the owners are keeping him more indoors due to complaints from others. We installed this fancy perch for the front windows. It took them a little while to figure out they could actually use this to see out. This photo was just taken a few weeks ago before we put up the decorations. Patricia, we have french doors with the blinds between the glass, so we will leave the bottoms with some space so the cats can look out at the birds and squirrels.

I guess Christmas has already arrived, but I will wish away... I will take one of those Pot Fillers on Boxers list and the tile to go with it.. and I'm with Steph on the Clarity Layout thing.... Going into my 2nd Christmas with a gutted kitchen but Garden Web has given me so much in getting the kitchen that works for me. Christmas Morning and all the dishes (using my 24" x 15" cloakroom sink) are washed and put away. About to get the Stollen put into the oven (the one appliance in the kitchen lol) Life is good! Merry Christmas everyone. I hope your wishes came true or are about to soon!!