Reply #24: I don't have a picture of it, but it was a pretty good haul.

[murielm99]

My husband actually did a good job this year. Some years, I am furious with him, because no matter what I tell him, he gets me stuff I don't want and will never use. Last year, he got me a necklace identical to the one he bought the year before, and a fragrance that I stopped using years ago.

This year, he got me a nice sweater and a leather coin purse that I requested. My old coin purse is being held together with rubber bands. He got me Colbert's "I Am America (And So Can You). He is pretty good with books.

My kids do the best. They ask me questions about my music collection, and they know my tastes and how to shop for music. I got two Luther Allison CDs, the Old Town School of Folk Music four volume series, and FIVE Muddy Waters CDs! They knew that the only Muddy Waters I had was "Folk Singer."

We got the usual assortment of candy, crackers and cheese. But it is the good stuff, from specialty stores, the Vermont Country Store and from Wisconsin, since we live close to the border. Some people give us these things because I bake cookies for half the town and for my husband's work. That started as a family project when we were having hard times, and it has grown since. I love doing this.

Christmas is not really about the haul. But I am glad that my family can get together for Christmas, and that we can give each other thoughtful presents.