Holiday Lessons Learned

I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas!

Here are a couple of things that I learned over the holidays:

1. Let Martha Stewart be Martha Stewart.

As much as I love Martha, I am going to let her stick with creating the holiday cards. I started off with a great idea, but ended up with a coffee table covered in paint pens, glue sticks, paper cutters, photos, and scrapbook paper. After work I am going to stop by Crane's and pick up next year's cards and eliminate the headache for next year.

2. Things appear bigger online.

Kind of like the mirrors on cars - things may appear closer than they actually are ---- things online may appear larger than they actually are! Specifically, jewelery. Two rings are being shipped back tomorrow, to make room for these lovely David Yurman bracelets. I have learned my lesson.

3. Budget...what budget???

Mr. Accountant decided we should set a very reasonable budget for our gifts to each other this year. I tried to stick with the budget, while Mr. Accountant did not. I could try and say that I was upset with him for going over the decided amount, but as soon as I saw the package and learned that my gift was from the jewelery store where they know us by first name, I was delighted. (No picture yet.... will take one of the necklace and post later.) The Foo Fighters tickets I got him are great, but jewelery always wins!

4. It is fun to give AND it is fun to receive.

My mom has taught me many great things, one being how to give a great gift. I like to give things that someone would love, yet would not go out and purchase for themselves, something that is a surprise, something that is thoughtful, something that the recipient wants, but never realized they wanted. This year, I was extremely happy with how all of my selections turned out - there is nothing like seeing the look on that persons face when they open THE GIFT!