Since I can't afford to buy gifts for everyone in my family this Christmas, I've decided I will at least send a Christmas bouquet or centerpiece to my Mom's house. Or maybe a Christmas gift basket from 1-800-Flowers. I've bought some inexpensive toys for my niece and nephews, and still need to find something special for my sister Dana, to whom I feel so indebted for giving me my little Vixen last year.
On Chris' side of the family, we will each buy something for our Secret Santa "victim", and we'll get something for his parents and possibly his grandparents. His niece and nephews are old enough now that they don't need toys, and they should probably even be participating in the Secret Santa drawing, but they're not yet.
Apart from gift-giving, the rest of our holiday celebrations are getting underway. My company Christmas party is this Saturday. Due to unfortunate cutbacks this year, there won't be as many coworkers to celebrate with, but it will still be a good time. This is one of the few times a year I get to see all of my fellow employees in one place, and I always look forward to it.
I discovered I don't have as many non-tree decorations for Christmas as I thought I did... at least not Brooskey-proof ones. So we borrowed a tiny little 18" artificial tree from Chris' parents which we're going to buy a miniature ornament set and a string of lights for. We also have a wreath to hang on the living room wall, snowmen for the top of the movie and video game racks, and a Santa plaque which is already hanging on the front door. We still haven't decided whether we're going to put lights up, but in the interest of keeping the electric bill down we probably won't. I'm hoping to get the decorating done this weekend.
![[photo of me]](/glasses144.jpg)
![[album thumbnail]](/photos/oregon2009/thumbnails/albumthumb.jpg)
![[album thumbnail]](/photos/halloween2008/thumbnails/albumthumb.jpg)
