Christmas Spirit

Rick has been very busy finishing school this December, so I was on duty to put lights on the Christmas tree. I went a little nuts, but I love it. I had the bottom third done and had used all the lights that Rick usually does on the whole tree.

I found some more and kept going. I should have taken a photo without the daylight in the window behind, but you get the idea.  I also have been thinking this would be the last year we'd do the traditional family tree decor. There are some ornaments that are sentimental, but I felt a lot of them were junk. Last year the kids didn't seem too into decorating the tree, so I figured if they didn't care, then I'll buy some tree decorations after Christmas this year to do a pretty tree next year. However, the boys were excited to decorate the tree this year, and they had little stories with a lot of the ornaments, so I guess we'll keep it a few more years.  Plus, I've added some of my favorite bird ornaments so it feels like it's a good mix of traditions for all of us.

 

I cut off the top of the tree in that photo, so here is just the top. It's a little sparse on branches, but we put some little birdies up there to give it some life.

 I bought super sparkly paper for gifts under the tree this year. (House is now covered in glitter.)

I am in charge of my work Christmas party every year. We usually choose a nice restaurant, so I don't have to worry too much about decor and food. After dinner we do a gift exchange, only all the gifts are provided by the company.  Often, it's a big stress for me trying to find gifts that are nice, but generic enough that anyone in the office will enjoy them.  This year, I let go of the stress. I figured everyone is going home with $60-$130 worth of stuff they didn't come with, plus a nice dinner. If they aren't happy, it's not my fault. :)  Here's the pile of gifts for this year.

 

We have some standard gifts that I do every year- ski passes, restaurants, movie passes, every few years I throw in a spa certificate, although I try to do a few new creative things each year. I throw in some new electronic device. The big ticket item this year was a Kindle Fire. I also did a "Car Care Kit" which was a digital tire gauge, a detail car wash, and $50 gas card.  My other new one was "Lunch on the Company" and included gift certificates ranging from $10-$30 to places like Subway, Rubios, Paradise Bakery and Red Iguana. I think that went over better than the car gift. I'm always open for ideas. If you have any gender-neutral-any-one-would-like gift ideas, send them my way. I'll put them on the list for next year.