Christmas Eve

This weekend was packed with holiday fun for the Wannabe family.

On Christmas Eve morning, Margaret and I met Fritz over at his work for an office party.  It was a pleasant and casual get-together.  We ate, chatted with his coworkers and their families, did a white elephant exchange, and played a few games.

At Fritz's old (horrible) job, his boss catered a meal in the drafty, unfinished basement of his multi-million-dollar home, raffled off a couple large gifts and a whole lot of crap trinkets in lieu of holiday bonuses, and treated the employees and their families to a speech about how if they only worked harder and were better employees, they'd be invited to the fancy managers' party.  Yeah.  This year's party was miles better.

At home, we finished baking goodies and wrapping them up, then we walked the gifts around to our friends' and neighbors' houses. Margaret loved this part.

Chex Muddy Buddies, Rice Krispie wreaths, donut hole snowmen, and a Christmas card all packed in last year's discounted felt goody bags.

Margaret finally deigned to wear the Christmas tree clippie I made her.

Later in the evening, we bundled up and headed out to pass out a few more goodies and to look at Christmas lights. A house nearby does a great show. The owner coordinated an incredible light show to music you could tune into on your radio. That was such a treat, and we've decided we need to make it a tradition to visit this house every year.

We came home to find the elves had left a gift for Margaret. A new set of cozy jammies!

Fritz and I decided to open our gifts to each other, since we'd be traveling to my family's house the next day.

Fritz had searched through many antique stores to find me the perfect teapot. He did an incredible job picking one out. It's cobalt blue, small enough for just a couple cups of tea, and it has such a perky little shape. Among other little goodies, he also bought me a knitting magazine featuring a whole set of woodland animal patterns. Of course, he stuck our traditional wheel of Gouda in one of the packages, too.

Fritz's big gift from me was a funnel cake maker.  Can you believe he's never had a funnel cake before?  Sacrilege!  This travesty has, fortunately, now been remedied.