Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Apparently it wasn't enough for me to do online swaps, now I've started doing swaps with my local friends too. Last week I met up with my friend Allison to swap some Christmas goodies. I brought her these items, along with a bag of cookies,and she gave me TONS of great stuff in return. Fabric, ribbon, chocolate, ornaments, a cookbook, and a whole slew of other fun things - what could be better!?!
Then today I met with my friend Shawn and brought her a lot of the same stuff I gave Allison. I didn't, however, finish everything I wanted to so I will have to owe her.
In return, she gave me a bag filled with a bunch of adorable embellished goodness. Cards, gift tags, a journal, fabric, chocolate, and more - wow!Thanks, ladies! You rock!

Three marvelous things for today...

Two ornaments...
(How incredibly cute is this one???)


...and this delicious soup!

Steve is supposed to be writing our Christmas letter tonight. I am anxious to hear it when he is finished, and hope it turns out better than last year's letter. If I have to nix this one, I am certain that he will never again attempt to write another letter. On that topic, are Christmas letters lame? I've heard people complain about them, but personally, I love holiday cards that come with letters. What do you think?

9 comments:

Mary Beth said...

Oh, I do have an opinion about Christmas letters. I used to love them, but more recently I've come to think they are either braggy (most often) or long winded and boring--too overly detailed for a general letter. So I really don't like them anymore; I've had a change of heart. I do LOVE any photos that come--I'm disappointed not to get a photo--and I really love and handwritten note, and that is what I try to do (both photos and a handwritten note).

Katie said...

I'm with mary beth on this one...but i know it's hard to walk the line between a humorous update on your life the past year & a bragfest. Your dad does it very well & i always look forward to his & your mom's letters...so i say write the letter & send a photo too. :) (you can also put money in my card, i'll take that too..) ;)

Amy said...

I get one letter each year. It is from my brother who lives 15 minnutes from me and I already know everything about him and his family. This year it was in their unsigned card...which tells me one thing...absolutly no personal thought goes into it. Just be careful who you send them to...your best friend may not need to read what you have been up to all year when she already knows!
Ok, I will pull myself off my high horse...I actually think the letters are great when they are called for...

Shawn said...

Oh we need to get Allison in on our Valentine swap :) She is so sweet! Oh my gosh is that a pot holder you made too? Those are really cute! Don't worry about making me something else I love all my goodies and love my knitted washcloth it's hanging up in our bathroom it's so pretty! We usually do xmas letters every year I love them! This yr well I was in to many swaps (hehe) and just barely got all of our cards done so no letter but there is a picture of all of us this year. We sent out a cute one last year kinda like a dictionary page let me scan it and I'll email it to ya. Oh that soup looks yummy too. I'm done rambling. :)

Kim said...

The letters are wonderful when written well and horrible when people boast or go on and on about one subject. I guess this is why I have never written one - too afraid of coming off as pretentious. Good Luck!!

Anonymous said...

LOVE Christmas letters - from anyone! Including people I see regularly or family. I just like them! oh, and photos are an extra plus!

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed the swap too. I haven't seen Shawn in about a year, sounds like fun. Your soup looks yummy. That is a cute hedgehog ornament.

I like some Christmas letters.My FIL sent one out and it sounds like all I do is stay home with Amy and do nothing else. :-)

Anonymous said...

Whenever we get Christmas cards we always hope for a photo or letter. We are disappointed when people just sign a card--what is the point of that? I love and appreciate every single letter people ever send to us! If we like people enough to send them a card, we assume they also like us enough to be interested in our news!
Mom

Mamaperreca said...

I am with the LOVE THEM crowd on christmas letters. Brag it up people! Tell everyone how awesome your kids are! I used my letter to tell all the relatives that didn't know how much fun we are having with homeschooling! LOL!!