I am wayyyy too superstitious to bid goodbye to 2008 until it is good and gone...and I have a terrible feeling about January and the things it may yet hold. But I'll wait on that one.

And Dear My Secret Santee: I'm sorry. Snowpocalypse and a few other things (aka I am lazy and should've been a Slacker Santa like I was the past many year) mean your present will be late. But I promise, you'll get it. Hopefully before Epiphany. Maybe. Depending on the postal service, and the length of Snowpocalypse, and when I can actually venture out to go get stuff.

After being sorely tempted all week, I finally opened my Secret Santa presents, which included a lovely ring/earring set and a Moleskine city notebook for Paris, both of which I’ve wanted forever but couldn’t really justify buying. And I still can’t figure out if you had secret information that revealed I collect Anne Taintor magnets (“bitter woman” magnets I call them) or if I’m just that obvious, but I love my calendar—as much as Barb loves her cabana boys.

Of course, you also unknowingly participated in one of the funniest Amazon wish list fiascos, in that I ended up receiving 3 Wine Snob dictionaries. Usually, only my brother-in-law uses my list, but this year my sister did too. Great minds think alike I guess. One of them will make a lovely partner for my Film Snob’s dictionary and the rest will make a great excuse to visit my local bookstore and get more books. So it’s a win-win!

What fun! I’m so glad I finally decided to do Secret Santa, especially since I’m on my own this year. It’s great to be able to fill out the presents underneath the tree and such a nice surprise to get the package and try to guess who sent it. I'm assuming it's Gud, since the package came from Kansas, but regardless, thank you so much for your generosity!

I'm sorry I couldn't participate in Secret Santa this year. It is a wonderful institution. But, my life is too up-in-the-air right now, and I don't know where I'll be when.

Buffista gifts are always the best!

I'm so glad you liked the Anne Taintor calendar! I had just ordered Retro Mama for me and thought I would take a chance. I had my son address the package so handwriting would be completely thrown off. I've been so excited for you to open your package ever since you said it arrived. I'm so glad you are pleased!

I'm planning to start shopping for my Slacker Santa gift tomorrow.

Next year I totally need to do Secret Santa.

Wait. That doesn't sound right.

I'm sure Santa thinks it sounds awesome!

Dear Secret Santee;

You know I signed up for the Slacker List.

This is why you will be waiting to get your prezzies.

Love, Theo

Many thanks to my wonderful (and still secret) Santa!

I received a little Japanese-style thermal lunch set that I've been coveting for a long time now. It comes with a little drawstring bag in orange and green, and has three separate containers for goodies. It also comes with a pair of chopsticks in their own wee case. I will get a lot of use out of this in the coming year.

In short, thank you, Secret Santa, thank you!

There was an Amazon receipt, but as the actual gift card was kept quiet, I did not (yet) peek.

It was me(Or I. Whichever!) I'm so glad it got there okay!