Taylor Family Christmas 2011

I love my crazy dysfunctional family. Our annual family Christmas party would rival the Griswold's any day!
This was the first year that we didn't draw names, but instead took either a  generic guy or gal gift. It didn't work out so well. You first have to understand that the modus operandi of this family is to spend as little as possible even though it is a  "$20" exchange. We all like to get good value for our money.
I was the lucky recipient of a faux fur leopard skin scarf. While I'm sure it was very nice. It just wasn't "me."
I brought a set of snowmen mugs in a box  that I had received the day before at a Christmas party with friends. My niece got them, to her dismay.
Well, as soon as all the gifts were opened the trading and dealing began- very matter of fact- no hurt feelings.My niece traded 2 of the 4 mugs to Grandma for her bag of miscellaneous stuff that she didn't want. She then traded the box they came in for a fabric bag that someone else's gift had been in. Mom and Dad had shopped at CVS and gotten boxes of candy (it was B1G1 free) My sister got one. She is diabetic but still would not trade for the scarf.
My brother leans over to me and says "We got a really really incredible deal on that scarf." I'm thinking, "I'll bet you did!" My sister pipes up, "I paid 25 cents for that gift at a garage sale; it was brand new. And that fabric bag came in the mail yesterday; it was a freebie." I  myself had stopped at CVS this morning and the machine spit out a coupon for a zhu-zhu pet for 99 cents. (they're normally $9.99) I took it as a sign from God and got it for my 7 yr old great nephew. During all the trading and dealing my brother says, "You know I really think this family should be celebrating Hanukkah!" ( My  grandmother- Dad's side- was Jewish)

Then came the best part- the gag gifts. That  is a Chinese gift exchange- draw numbers, then take from the pile or steal. Once everyone has a gift we open them one at a time and roar with laughter. A sampling of the gifts; a glass block holding a bride and groom that lights up in different colors, a toilet gasket changing kit,  etc.There was a really nice set of wooden napkin rings. Being basically a blue collar family no one wanted them. So I finally took them with the intent of turning them into something else. My contribution was a canister of "Trap a Crap." Which by the way, my nephew should have borrowed. He used the bathroom off the family room and as my Dad said "must have gone in there and killed a goat." It was prettty awful. At that point the party began to break up.
I'm proud to say that I did not pass go but drove straight to Elder Beerman in Huber Heights and parlayed that faux fur leopard skin scarf into a nice necklace for my daughter and earrings for me! :)
Looking forward to next year.