Rebekah received a Christmas gift from Cupid a couple of years ago!
In our family, when it comes to exchanging gifts, you never know what you're going to get--or who (whom?) your gifts will be from.
So we have this tradition in our family. The tradition is this: You don't put your real name on the gifts that you give. Instead, you put various names of random people and characters from all kinds of places, events, movies, etc., etc. It's so fun each year to find out who's been so generous with the gift-giving. From George Bailey to George Bush, the names come from movie characters, politicians, real-life bosses, teachers, principals, cartoon characters, mascots, athletes, etc., etc. It is hilarious to hear some of the names in the "from" section of the gift tags.
This has been going on for years. I'm not sure exactly how it started. I think maybe with Mom, who used to write all kinds of gifts from Santa. Surprisingly, the gift tags were in her hand-writing and wrapped with the same paper as other gifts under the tree. Hmmmmmmm ... Years later, she was still marking gifts from Santa, so I think it just grew from there.
Coming up with fresh ideas each year can be challenging. Sure, we have the old standbys: Mrs. Claus, the elves, Grinch, Scrooge, Clark Griswold, Zuzu Bailey, Frosty, Rudolph, Jack Frost, Old Man Potter ... you get the idea. With the kids, we try to include some of their favorite celebrities or characters: Hannah Montana, The Jonas Brothers, Little People and Yo Gabba Gabba peeps, etc. Kate currently has some gifts under the tree from folks like Sonya Lee, DJ Lance, Charlie Brown and Farmer Jed.
We usually have no problem figuring out the true gift-giver of each item. The recipient is sure to send a verbal message of gratitude to the person named on the tag via the real person. ;o) Sometimes this tradition will extend to friends and other loved ones. It's always fun to see the reactions!
Back in '07, Kate and Frosty went in together on this Christmas gift for Grammy. I think Rebekah or Riley helped with the gift tag.
P.S. Stay tuned for more on this subject--specifically, a situation involving Brad Pitt. :o)
I can't wait for part 2!
ReplyDeleteI just love this story-you know I almost faint when I think about it. Seriously. ;0
ReplyDeletebly!
Signed,
Rudolph
Karen! My family does the exact same thing and I LOVE it! I actually started the tradition back when I was in high school and my mom shut me up in my room and made me wrap the rest of the family gifts (ones she had bought for everyone else). I was bored so I started getting creative. The randomer the better! It is always fun to see Mom get a gift from the silver medal winning hockey team of the '92 Olympics or dad get a gift from Sonny and Cher.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite one I came up with was a gift for my sister. I ran out of wrapping paper so each side of the box had a different paper. One side was from Clark Kent and the other side was from Superman. :)
Hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas!
I just love it when Alan LaForce sends me Christmas gifts. Next time you see him, tell him how much I appreciate him dropping the gifts by your place so you can include them in the box.
ReplyDeleteAlan LaForce is basketball, and basketball is Alan LaForce.
Marsha! I will tell Coach L! He'll be happy to hear from you. ;o)
ReplyDeleteRhonda! That is hilarious--LOVE the Super Man/Clark Kent. Very clever! Happy New Year!
ReplyDelete