Hey there!

Monday is here and we're together again. That's good, right? Right! Double, double?   Ok, let's go.....

Now that I am seeing the world with red and green glasses (SURPRISE!!), everything is tinted with thoughts of Christmas.  As a kid, I loved the wrapping paper on the gift as much as the prezzie inside.  I love the whole ensemble from paper to ribbon to tag.  Every detail was appreciated.   Didn't care if the gift was wrapped in matching colours or if it resembled more of a patchwork quilt.   I just loved ALL the colours together.  Still do!  No wonder I am an abstract painter!

On the weekend, I watched one of those HGTV holiday shows - about the 25 Best Ideas for Christmas decorating.  Seems that MANY people enjoy not only having a colour coordinated tree BUT having the presents tie in as well. Whoa! How Martha Stewart is that?!! Or having each person assigned with a particular colour or pattern of wrapping paper.  Now that is VERY organized when it comes to having lots of people in your family.  However, um, isn't it easier to just write on the tag?  Unless of course you are HIDING the gifts and don't want the recipient to be able to figure it out beforehand.  For the record, I was never one of those kids that poked or shook a present.  I always thought that Santa would be watching and then not bring any gifts and then I would just be getting a sweater or socks or underwear. Of course NOW those are the things that I like getting the most. Go figure!

I also enjoy it when people wrap presents to disguise the item inside.  Once my brother gave me a HUGE box that he filled with a bunch of bricks (and I have NO idea where he found these as the house appeared fine) and placed some postage stamps at the bottom as I had so many penpals. 

Of course the BEST wrapping paper to use isn't wrapping paper at all - newspaper, comics and holiday flyers. We certainly get enough of them.  Add a bit of string or wool and you're good to go!  Saves a tree (Christmas or otherwise) and you can be creative by using the person's favourite section of the newspaper - sports for athletes, entertainment section for a theatre buff, or real estate for that budding Trump.  You can even circle the person's initials on the paper in red or green ink. Easier than a tag!

However, if you want to use a tag, you can make them from last year's Christmas cards - again the trees are smiling!  That's my favourite kind of recycling.

Have a fabulous Monday and we'll get together tomorrow.

Keep smiling (like the trees!!) Yes, I am odd if you're keeping notes.

Linda