Since our siblings live a distance away and we don't see each other all that often, it is hard to gage gifts- I'm sure I've been off more than once on the nieces and nephews. And of course there are those who when there is a gift exchange with a set dollar amount go way over the top. Or choose to sneak in gifts when we agreed not to that year. I got even with one sister-in-law who is very bossy. She has this anal personality and restrictions on their kids- We gave them a big gift basket of candy each! Which they broke into right then and there. To give you idea of the rigidity- She came to visit and stay the night with the kids for something in town. We rarely see them and this was new and exciting for them especially since we had just moved back from across the country. As we sat there after what she perceived to be a late dinner (6:30- Man she'd die on our schedule) She ran down her list of does and don't for the kids. One- no load noises and screaming in the house, 2- no sweets after dinner, 3- No snacking after 7:00 P.M. Well her list was growing longer by the minute and my husband looked at his watch then disappeared. Next thing I heard at 7:01 P.M. was a shout from the kitchen-"Who wants some licorice!" Our 3 kids and their 3 leapt to their feet yelling "I do I do!" Husband’s reply-" I can't hear you! If you want it you have to catch me first!" And so the rumpus proceeded from one room to the next over the foot stool bounding up and down the stairs with shouts and screams of delight as the bandits now winded and happy, claimed their bounty. Now I suppose all of you are wondering what I did to appease my poor dear sister in law who was beside herself. I ignored the whole thing pretending this was absolutely normal- truth is when Daddy is home it's always possible. We waited, prayed and cried for 10 years for kids so ya, we're going to enjoy them even if others think us a little nuts. Merry Christmas with a capital C. God is good!