12 Days of Christmas Swap!

Sami over at Symmetry in Motion sponsored the Christmas swap and it was an exciting 13 days!  Yes, that was 13 Days of Christmas for me, because my swap partner, Sylvia of Mi familia, included a birthday gift for me.  I was so excited to get the box.  It was heavy!  I opened it as soon as I got in the house.

It was loaded!  Sylvia put cute little, fuzzy stickers on each package, along with a short note on most of them.  She included ribbons and that really cute flower hairclip as package decorations.  I am sorry to say I was much less clever with my wrapping.  Now days, if someone actually gets wrapping paper it's a miracle!  (I at least wrapped all of the items I sent.  LOL)

The first package was for my birthday, which was December 7th.  It was the BIG 5-0, so it was nice to have that little extra remembrance.  It was unexpected, and therefore, even more special.

Possibly the most adorable Nativity scene ever!  : )   Since we went low-key with decorating this year, it fit in perfectly with our decor.  (Yes, that's a Rosemary bush doing double-duty as our Christmas tree.)

Day 1:  A Christmas DVD by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and a CD of assorted Christmas music helped to set the holiday mood.  These were quite inspiring!

Day 2:  Chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate!  This went to my office where it's locked away. LOL

Day 3:  Sylvia was right.  You can't have too many of these!  We have been using the heck out of these kitchen towels.  They are thirsty and work great!

Day 4:  This leather-bound journal with pen has been my go-to book for keeping track of all my work-related stuff (i.e.  Court information, mileage, hours worked, dates/times of visits, etc.).  It has been a life saver, as the State has not provided us calendars this year and I keep forgetting to go buy one for myself.  I haven't used the stickers yet, but you can be assured that I will.

Day 5: I love the ladybug perforater.  I always wanted one, but never bought one for myself.  The rolls of ribbon and the cute Christmas tree buttons will go to good use. 

Day 6:  Cookie cutters!  These were so cute!  Sylvia made some very good choices.  I especially love the Noah's Ark one.  There is also hand sanitizer (a must in my field) and some Hemp hand lotion.  Good choices!

Day 7:  The Lorax and Fancy Nancy: The Show Must Go On.  I love children's books!  And I recently learned I am going to be a Grandmother, so these will make great additions to my library.

Day 8:  A "blingy" crystal nail file (which I absolutely love!), Plumeria body wash from Bath & Body Works, Redken shampoo & conditioner, and a lip liner pencil in the perfect rosy shade for me.  Couldn't have chosen better myself!

Day 9:  Two stamp pads and six inspirational word stamps.  Now I have no excuses for not attempting to make my own cards.  I already have a Cricut and now I have the stamps.  I'll keep you posted on my progress in this area. 

Day 10:  The flower hairclip I mentioned earlier was the decoration on this handmade box.  (At least I think it's handmade.  Sylvia did such a great job on it, the box looks store-bought.  You can't completely see the design, but it's a very tired angel soaking her feet.  Cute!)  The pearl necklace is gorgeous!  I love it!! 

Day 11:  This adorable tile, which I think Sylvia stamped and drew the flowers and bee using paint markers similar to the ones she included with the gift.  Did I tell her that the office I worked at was 72B and often referred to as "The B"?  (I even made bee cupcakes for work once.)  I don't think so, and that makes this present even more special.  Obviously, it was serendipity at play.

  

Day 12: Good day, and welcome to Day 12!  (Kudos to anyone who got the "Doug & Bob Mackenzie's Great White North" reference.  For those of us who remember and for those who have never seen it:  Doug & Bob Mackenzie: 12 Days of Christmas.  It makes me laugh every time.) 

Anyway... back to Day 12:  European Chocolate Truffles.  Need I say more?  Simply delicious!!!

Thanks to Sylvia for such great gifts and for keeping me guessing each day.  Thanks to Sami for sponsoring the bloggers event.  And a special thanks to the United States Postal Service for getting the package there on time.  It was great fun!!