More Celebrating!

Finally, it was gift basket/bag time! 

Daughter put a ton of thought and creativity into making/putting together these bags for each child.

I wish I had gotten a better picture of them, because they were impressive!

The money trees seemed to be everyone's favorite.

But there were plenty of other goodies too!

Not a disappointed gift receiver in the crowd.

Everyone received a variety of gifts.

And since this is our celebration of St. Nicholas Day (a wee bit late), there were also their initials in chocolate for everyone!

Then it was on to the grown-up's gift baskets!

Ours was packed full of goodies.

Daughter and Son-in-law had us, and one of our gifts was this mug, which I love, Love, LOVE! 

Everyone had a basket, I just wasn't able to move around freely to get many good pictures, but there IS a basket there, somewhere.

The gift baskets are given at this celebration so we can enjoy the Christmas goodies before December 25, when we seem to be overwhelmed with so many amazing treats. Also, it gives everyone a chance to enjoy holiday items before they are quickly stored away until next year.

Also, it is just a FUN way to enjoy another reason to gather together.

Here we have someone who was happy to receive anchovies, of all things. Happy. With anchovies. Such people exist, and 41 years ago, I gave birth to one of those someones. 

An unforeseen gift in the gift bags were the styrofoam and skewers that held the gifts in the bags.

It made for a delightful game of 'inside lawn darts' and now everyone understands why those were official banned on December 19, 1988.

Safer games were played as the day went on.

There were also sugar cookies to frost, homemade carrot cake, and two flavors of homemade ice cream, mint chocolate chip and speculaas. Truly, there is much creativity in this family!

I do believe that a good time was had by all.

Although Feintje seems hopeful for more rounds of some card game with an unusual name that I can never seem to remember.

That will have to wait until the next celebration!