Our work Christmas party was last night so Angela and I went to see what the big deal was about. There was a nice buffet-style meal with Caesar salad, potato salad, rolls, vegetables and boiled potatoes (steamed, likely), and a big tray of either Virginia or Toupie ham as well as some lovely bless skless chicken breasts. For a condiment, there was some sort of seasoned cranberry chutney (well, la dee dah!), which I didn’t like much. Dessert was a delicious cheesecake. All was pretty good and the company was good (the company we kept, that is). We stayed for a bit to see who won door prizes and awards and then took off to another party! Woo! We get around! This was a house party at my inlaws (yes, I like my inlaws, they’re awesome!) with many relatives from the area. I like these get togethers because I’ve kind of exiled myself here in New Brunswick and my blood relatives are mostly in Nova Scotia (some have done as I and moved even farther away, too).
We all brought gifts for a game we call here “Yankee Swap”, which is known, in various forms as “Secret Santa” or (Australian) “ChrisKringle”. Our rules may be different than others, but here’s a quick run down.
All bring a gift with a predetermined spending threshold, usually $5-10. The gifts aren’t labeled “for anyone” as we draw numbers out of a hat. The number determines where you are in the order of gift choosing. Number one gets to pick a gift from the pile. Each person with a higher number can then pick a gift from the pile as well, in order. Here’s the twist, and what makes the game interesting. Each person must immediately open the gift and then can either choose to keep it or trade it for one that has already been chosen. The first person gets the last chance to swap. So, you never know what you’ll get.
We called it an early night and came home around midnight, so that our babysitter could get some sleep too. All in all, the night didn’t suck.
Now on to news of a not positive note. My brother in law’s little girl, who is just a tad older than Caleb, is going to the IWK for surgery on a brain tumor today. Please pray for her to have a fast recovery (if you believe in a god fo some sort). My cousin’s little baby boy is also spending his time in critical care right now for a serious cranial injury he got from a car accident he was in last week (sometimes even strapped in the right way, you can meet with peril). If you’d do the same for him, that would be fantastic.
Back to good news, of sorts. My neighbors are going away for Christmas and the children don’t know where. Where they think they are going is not the destination they will end up at and the real trip will be better than they think. So, there’s cheer everywhere.
Done for now. Back with a movie review or something soon. Please don’t drink, then drive. Drive then drink! (but don’t drive back)
Glad you had fun.
I guess I didn’t miss much then, at the staff party ey’
I remember doing that gift swapping thing in kindergarden, lol.
And geee, I didn’t know there were some major family issues going on. You hide it well at work. I hope everything works out fine for them both, must be hard on the families, especially this time of year.
I have a few games an movies to review myself. While you were out partying, I was playing vids, and being a good boy. (pathetic aint’ it)
C U @ HELL tomorrow.
Glad you had fun at both parties. I don’t believe in any official gods but my heart goes out for both children. They are too young to face these tribulations. God speed…
My family started doing that Yankee Swap thing last year. It was such a great hit that we’re doing it again this year. The only difference is is that the gift costs $25. Oh, and the order of things is slightly different, but I like your idea of stealing gifts AFTER they’ve actually picked one from the pile and opened it.
Is there something wrong with Nova Scotia that your family wants to leave it? I always has this idealized view of it.
Sorry to hear about the 2 kids in your family. How did your brother-in-law’s daughter make out during surgery?
Nah, its just normal. About 6 relatives I know (including me) out of our HUGE family moved away. Its natural (but we usually move back - there’s something about the maritimes…)
I hope everything goes well for your niece and will keep her in my prayers.
You didn’t tell us what present YOU got. Enquiring minds want to know.
Yes there is too much suffering in this world. Hopefully the kids will get better.
That party sounded like a lot of fun. My work never throws x-mas parties. We have to fund our own. I suggested a form of swapping at one of our parties, but it didn’t take off.