Bear, you made me laugh, but I totally agree. One reason that I don't go to my guild's holiday party is because I don't like the gift exchange. To me it seems like everyone is paying around $25 to give someone they probably don't know a gift that they won't enjoy anyway. And to top it all off, they go one further and do the dirty Santa exchange, where you can reject a gift and choose one that someone else received instead. Now isn't that both rude (rejecting the first gift) and mean spirited (stealing one from someone else)? The other reason I don't go is that it's a potluck. I enjoy potlucks with a few friends, but I don't like big potlucks. Too many people get sick from them.
However, I do have a suggestion for Anne. Every quilter can use seam rippers. You can buy several regular ones, or one fancy one, and it's sure to be appreciated.