All set and ready for Christmas

I am so glad to say that! I don’t know any other time of year that involves so much ripping and running. I thought I was done with all my shopping but apparently I forgot all about the grocery store run, so I went out and finished that up yesterday and took our dog to the groomer, so now thank goodness I am officially all set and done outside the home wise anyway. I still have some dusting and gift wrapping to do.

Traditionally our family does the whole pot luck dinner where everyone brings a dish and we alternate whose place to have Christmas dinner at. It’s our place this year so we don’t have to cook much. Normally when we go to our relatives for the Holiday’s we would take a dish but still prepare a small meal for home, but since all the food will be here I just mostly had to pick up fruits, candy, nuts etc….

I have a rather large family my Grandmother has 14 children alone, plus my Grandfather had four children before him and her married. Quite awhile ago my family decided upon a grab bag gift exchange every year for our family and friends. It had been running pretty smoothly and everyone was saving on gift purchases of course. Some still buy gifts for everyone while majority of us just purchase an adult gift and one or more kids gift from the grab bag.

After all these years of carrying this tradition since I was a child myself I remember with the grab bag and pot lucking. This year brings something a little different we still doing the pot luck dinner but the grab bag has taken a turn for the worst. I guess it was a combination of lack of participation and organizing. Instead of everyone pulling or receiving a name on Thanksgiving as we did in the past it was decided for everyone to just purchase a unisex gift and throw it under the tree and the kids names were just threw around. Not many like the idea including myself so my cousins and I decided it’s time for our generation to carry on our family tradition and from here on out we will take on the responsibility every year of getting everyone together for Thanksgiving and pulling from the grab bag just like we used to do it. We haven’t told everyone just yet but we plan to make the announcement on Christmas, I’m sure my Aunt probably would be glad since she has been the main one putting forth so much effort over the years to help keep our family close and tight.

As well I would like to Wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas or Happy Holiday for whichever you are Celebrating this Season, if any!