Merry Christmas!

Yes, it's December 26th - not December 25th, because I can't really see me sitting down and typing anything on actual Christmas Day, seriously.  However! - it's the day after Christmas and, as always, a day of reflection for me. Because I had the same thought last year, I was able to go back and read my post from December 27, 2014.

Some lessons take longer to learn. 

I thought maybe folks would get weary of receiving the same gift year after year, so I planned to switch it up a bit and do candied nuts instead of the blessing bags. I purchased the supplies and made a couple batches (they turned out really good by-the-way).  Then I realized that many people make the same wonderful cookies and candy year after year as gifts and I doubt that anyone gets weary of receiving those! 

So then it was back to the Blessing Bags.  It's my "thing" - it includes aspects of my passions that I love to share and enjoy creating.  Needless to say, I wasn't prepared in advance like I needed to be to create as many bags as I ended up wanting to give.  When I went to purchase similar bags and supplies they were no where to be found.  I improvised a bit and it turned out, but it was still frustrating to be working under pressure.

One advancement in this year's project was baking some of the bread myself -

We did have a wonderful Christmas:

Here are some thoughts to keep in mind for the coming year(s):

I offered the idea for drawing names - it was rather quickly shot down, gently but assertively. I think they liked the idea of everyone contributing to stockings next year though!

Games are a very big thing and we really, really enjoy them.  According to Facebook, there are a couple of fun group games that have been making the rounds which we have not ever done. 

Think on these things...

A running "wish-list" for the family might be a good thing as long as we all keep in mind that a lot can change over the course of a year, or a month, or even a week.  I.E. At the end of the day, Mandie experienced an unfortunate accident, or rather her cell phone did, and I'm certain she is now thinking how great it would be to have a new phone for Christmas past.