So, my expectations are really, really low for Christmas. I am giving gifts the way I planned - they bring satisfaction to me and if the receiver doesn't like it, I won't get bent out of shape about it.

I am a little bent out of shape - actually. We always have Christmas breakfast/brunch and I always make the breakfast casserole. But when I asked Liz what food I needed to bring - a dessert for Christmas. OK. I really enjoy that breakfast casserole on Christmas morning and my husband does, too. Plus, I am not a fan of Liz's cooking. It's okay, not great. No WOW factor whatsoever. So, that casserole was the one link Steve and I had to something that we enjoy. BUT we do spend the holidays at Bob & Liz's house, so we have to abide by their rules. I'll eat whatever she makes, fortunately, I can't eat a lot of it! Except I won't eat that orange salad thing her mother makes - she never gets the recipe corrects and it never conjeals the right way. It has cottage cheese in it, and I hate that stuff. So, I'll make a dessert!

The other thing that I am bent about is this whole present thing - I chose NOT to make a Christmas list this year. My intentions were decent but they may backfire on us. We exchanged lists for 3 years. Now, we never, ever received one from Pam & Steve. We basically got Robert's lists and a vague idea of what to get Elizabeth. However, we provided detailed lists. (see earlier post for further ranting on this subject). So, this year - no list, I say. Steve and I have been together for 8.5 yrs - they should know us by now. Or at least Steve! When asked for the list, I replied "No list. Go with what you know." We'll see how this pans out in the end. We may be completely satisfied with the gifts. I figure that I am going to walk away with a couple of Lane Bryant gift cards. Who knows what my husband will receive? Because of the uncertainty, I went ahead and got him what he wanted. That way, he'll be satisfied.

I have made the gag gifts. I'll take pictures and post later.