I'm sorry your gifts were not appreciated, MG. That's a bummer, all right.

Go Hec with the good deed doing!

I expect you'll be hearing "ELMO!" a lot, Cashmere. My friend's kid can go into a continuous loop of "Wat Elmo? Wat Elmo? Wat Elmo?" whenever she's in the same room as the TV. It wasn't her first word, but I'd venture that it could be her most used word.

Spidra - it does have DZ on it. I found it at Cost Plus. The label says "Gustaf's Traditional Dutch Licorice". I had intended it to go in Mom's stocking, but it didn't fit, so it ended up in DH's stocking. Adding insult to injury apparently.

DH has been surly to everyone today. My Mom got him some slippers, the exact brand and size as the ones he has that are worn out. And he is complaining that they are too small. Now, there is a way to say you would appreciate a different size without being a jerk about it, but he has not taken that tack.

Ah, well. I'm trying to shake it off. I know the kids are happy and that is what it is more important. Christmas is also about giving and not receiving and I gave with the best of intentions.

Exactly, MG. Could part of it be that he's a little nervous about starting the new job? It could be making him touchy and it's coming out that way.

Maybe....I don't know. There is so much going on in our house that every ones nerves are on edge. I kept trying to ask him that and got no real response.

I'm trying to just keep my distance and my temper.

MG, I'm sorry your husband's being a pill. Apparently he had expectations that weren't fulfilled. (I can relate to this as I spend Xmas alone this year and the whole season was a bit anti-climactic.) Still, that's no excuse for being rude. You gave gifts you thought would please. And the fact that he's not pleased is his issue. It's a *gift*. An extra. A bonus.

Part of the giving, is also about graciously receiving. You don't have to love everything, and yes returning is an option.

"wow, a new cell phone - I really needed one. Would you mind if tried to find one that wan't pink, you know the guy as the cafe are going to give me a really hard time about it..."

uncertain financal futures can make some of us really nervous. I decided that January 15th is the time when have to get serious about finaces. It made christmas much more fun ( even if it was a careful christmas)

Exactly Beth, there are ways and there are ways. All of us had asked him what he wanted and never got a solid answer. Ok, C did - he asked for a Black Eyed Pea's CD (WTF, say the rest of us, but ok, whatever) and I helped her find one for him. His only solid request was fulfilled.

I'll quit whining and be selfish instead for a moment.

I got Serenity and Revenge of the Sith. I got Wicked - the book, a glass paperweight with laser-cut palm trees in it and a couple of CD's. I got a gift cert for an hour's massage, tickets to the Nutcracker, and new sneakers. I even got an iPod FM transmitter so I can listen to the girls iPods in my car.

I'm thrilled with each little thing. I can't say there is a single item that was not spot on, even if I hadn't know I wanted it before hand.

I'm glad what you received was so wonderful, MG! Keeping distance and temper sounds smart.

I am full of potstickers and Mongolian Beef. Yum.

Elna I remember for sure are made by Brother, and I believe those other two are as well.