A Goodwill Christmas

This year Christmas, our long time friends, Debbie and Melissa, along with my sister and I got together on December 5th for our third annual Christmas get together. We have known each other since we were VERY little kids, and our moms are also good friends. When we were young, we used to go to their house on Christmas Eve, before we went by my Grandparents house. Now, they live too far away to imagine doing that, hence, we have created our new traditions. The first year was by my house, then by Debbie’s and this year, Melissa’s. Next up is Jeanne’s turn—we are going from oldest to youngest – oh, my, I’m the oldest! (by 11 days). We only exchange between Deb’s family and mine, and Melissa’s to Jeanne’s.

This year, we added a new twist—gifts to each other (Deb/Cindi, Jeanne/Mel) could only come from Goodwill, be under $10, and would have to be proudly used or displayed for one year. I have to say, this was the best year ever! I got a tree ($7), a “lovely” table runner ($1.49), and lights for the tree ($2). Deb signed me up for Club Goodwill, so the table runner was actually free! Deb got a Joliet ashtray, lighthouse snowglobe, dolphin statue and a clam shaped purple chip and dip bowl. Melissa got a potato shaped serving dish, a Friends tray, a friend plaque, cactus flower cheese spreaders, and Texas salt and pepper shakers. Jeanne got a Merry Chirstmoose sign, a carafe with warming tray that works with a tea light candle, a wire cage tree, a picture of a purple motorcycle, 4 duplicate VCR tapes with “Nightmare” in the title, and an oak tissue paper holder.

I can’t wait for next year when the men of the couples join in and we all have to wear bad holiday sweaters. Good times and we helped support the Goodwill mission. Not bad.