Having children playing with candles may encourage them with the idea of playing with matches, later. Not a good idea, as that's the cause of many house fires. Maybe a good Thanksgiving/Christmas gift with which to endow yourself might be to give up smoking - remember how many house fires are started by people smoking - especially smoking in bed? Ruined clothing, as well - but then, your friends who can't figure what to give you wouldn't need to wrack their brain so much. Hey - what am I doing - giving you (even a thin) excuse to continue smoking - when you know how bad it may be not only for you but for others around you? A happy Holiday to all of you U.S. people. ole joyful

I come from a large family and Christmas has always been a struggle. I love the season but hate the gift giving. I think part of it was because my parents only gave gifts to the children - I never learned how to graciously receive a gift, how to just say thank you and smile. Someone gives me a home made nik-nak and I rush out and buy them a new car (just kidding). Anyway, the holidays are over, I made it out alive without spending a fortune. The coolest idea for celebrating the holidays was by a friend of mine years ago. He had recently moved to my state, all his family lived far away. He loved his new city and had no intentions of going anywhere for the holidays so he planned a huge dinner party. He cooked all the food, made all the decorations even made up simple invites and mailed them out a month in advance. His deal was - the party was his gift to his friends and family. If you can't make it for whatever reason, he understood but had no plans to do anything other than throw the party. I imagine he spent some money on the food and stuff but in the end he solved a lot of problems. It didn't come off as a "take it or leave it" kinda deal, more like a "I can't make everybody happy, so this is what I plan to do". I loved it.

I have a lot of nuts on hand for some reason! I will shop for some chopped dates and maybe some candied cherries and that might be about all. I don't do a lot of my own grocery shopping much of the time. I am pretty well stocked up on most other things. Happy Baking! Sue

I can't find hanging pots anywhere. I've never heard of the store where you shopped or I would be there NOW. I make a lot of macramé style hangers.