Speaking of breakfasts and cereals:

I just had a blinding revelation regarding Secret Santa duties, which I'll share here because it may help somebody besides me.

It's that I don't have to put together a big package all at once. I really want to knit something nice that will take some time, but I can put together a smaller package of less time-intensive goodies to tide the giftee over.

This will save me from dithering and procrastinating until the Ultimo-Bestest-Ever Sekrit Santa Package is put together, and my giftee won't be contemplating an empty cobweb-bedecked mailbox for the next X months.

I am reaching the point where I go from "I am going to slaughter you all" to "Fuck it."

I have a huge presentation for our organization-wide meeting in N.O. (this is before I can even begin to freakout about the event I'm supposed to be in charge of the Thursday after we get back) and no one, as in not a director outside of my office, has sent shit. That's 5 offices where the presentation just says "Put office highlights here" or "Put individual highlights here"

I'm supposed to leave at noon today because I leave tomorrow at 8:30 and will be in meetings all weekend until 10 at night, so staying past noon puts me waaaaaaaaaay over what they'd be willing to pay me in overtime.

I'm about ready to leave it like it is or put "Not getting stuff to DJ in time" for highlights.

I am not doing Secret Santa this year, but I am a BIG believer in little things along the way. Actually one thing has never made sense to me because there is no "secret" to the secret santa then - it makes sense in my head. I always liked sending small gifts and cards through the whole thing.

I'm about ready to leave it like it is or put "Not getting stuff to DJ in time" for highlights.

Do this! It'd be hysterical!

Other suggestions: "No highlights, office is a morass of despair."
"No individual highlights, person is huge slacker and hates Jesus."
"Would have had highlights here, but had to go to free clinic for, um, anti-biotics, wink wink"
"Highlights? Isn't that the magazine with Goofus and Gallant?"

"Highlights? Isn't that the magazine with Goofus and Gallant?"

Heh.

"Highlights - see Goofus."

Actually one thing has never made sense to me because there is no "secret" to the secret santa then

No secret, if you send small things? You don't have to identify yourself until the last package. If you live where there aren't other buffistas, then - well - ok, less of a secret, but your giftee never knows if you were the originator or just funneling the prezzies...

Hee! Check out the customer reviews on Amazon for the Bic ballpoint pen: [link]

I remember when vw's dog got a package from "C. Kritsanta." I spent a minute trying to decide if it was an Indian name.

I mean there is no secret if you only send one gift. unless the person chooses not to identify themselves, but that can't last too long.

I think there IS more secret when small things are given. A chance for hints and guesses and such.

Do this! It'd be hysterical!

Right now I'm just praying for snow and ice tomorrow so I don't even have to go on this thing.

Seriously. You guys have given me more input in the last 5 minutes than these people have been able to do in the last 6 months.