So it's *almost* Christmas! Not really, but it is next month! I
love Christmas. Definitely one of my most favorite holidays. Unfortunately for our work schedules, we are unable to go home to California or Colorado this holiday season to see our families. We usually alternate years going to spend Christmas-ish-time with Matt's or my family. It's tough living in a different state from everyone! So last year we decided to start a thing called
elfster. It's a free gift exchange program on the internet that chooses names for you...secretly. That way we have a spending limit and we each give/get one present. We do a separate elfster group for each family. It's a blast. It worked out so beautifully last year. I have to admit it was a little weird not getting a car-full of gifts...but we are all adults, it's about time that we grew up...I suppose :) I think once we have kids in our families the kids will get gifts from everyone- because isn't that more fun anyways?!
Also, on elfster you can make your own wish list. So I am sculpting mine! :) It's fun!! Prenatal massage perhaps? Manicure/Pedicure? Etsy jewelry? Do I choose baby-things? Or do I enjoy my last Christmas as a non-mom, being selfish and decadent?
Oh, and if you're wondering Matt and I have our own tradition that we started up...we exchange stockings! I think gift giving is nice, but we share the same bank account...and we are on a budget. So we do a stocking thing. We fill up each other's stockings with at least these 7 certain items. Then we open up the stockings on Christmas with each other.
1. an ornament
2. something shiny
3. a fruit or vegetable
4. something utilitarian
5. something salty/ spicy
6. something sweet
7. something green
Do you have any new family traditions you started up? I love thinking of starting new ones with our growing family while carrying on old ones.
