I *LOVE* our family's holiday traditions and it is in no small part due to Mary Beth and Ed's efforts. Holidays at their home are always so warm, happy, and fun-filled.
I know *A TON* of hard work goes on behind the scenes, but when you arrive at Mary Beth and Ed's you would never guess that. Every detail...big and small...appears so seamless. The minute you step in their door you are immediately enveloped in the holiday spirit.
Mary Beth and Ed are lovely and gracious hosts. From the grilled beef tenderloin and stuffed baked potatoes, to the beautifully decorated home, the cookie cutter place cards, the paper thin sugar cookies, to the pure and simple love that emanates from their home...everything is always picture perfect.
Each year at Thanksgiving Dinner (also hosted by Mary Beth and Ed) we draw names to determine who we will buy a Christmas gift for. Unbeknownst to me, there must have been a small asterisks on the slip of paper that contained the names that said, "Buy Hats!"
As you can see, there were a lot of hats given and received. What isn't pictured here is the entire array of hats that Beanie received and that Tony received a hat, too. Oh, and James is not wearing Dad Dad's hat in this picture. James is sporting his very own "slate".
Now, not all of us got the "give a hat" memo. In fact, James gave my favorite gift of the night...and it wasn't a hat. It was self-addressed stamped envelopes! That's right...self-addressed stamped envelopes.
James picked Lily's name to buy a gift for and he gave her an art set and self-addressed stamped envelopes so she could send him some of her masterpieces. Oh, and he gave her an Easy Bake Oven, too.
Isn't that just about the sweetest thing you've ever heard???? Self-addressed stamped envelopes???? I'm not going to lie to you I have tears in my eyes just typing that!!! I mean, how many twenty-something year old guys do you know who would do that???
Lily is only too happy to oblige James's request. I'm just wondering how that Easy Bake cake is going to fair in a self-addressed stamped envelope ;-).
Sometimes (most of the time, actually) I still can't believe how lucky I am to have the family I have! That is by far the best gift of all!
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