Ornament Memories, Gifts, and Sleeve Knitting

I am finding myself randomly humming Christmas songs as I walk about and get my chores done, the giving season has started for me. Earlier this week, I pulled past purchases from the year out of my closet in my studio room to see who in my family is receiving what gift. Years ago I started to shop for the holidays all year round. If I see something that I think someone will like, I buy it. The problem is that sometimes I forget what I have (that comes with age I guess). So I do inventory, I make piles on the carpeted floor and assess the gifts. This year I also knit gifts throughout the year-that was a wise decision for me. My shopping burden and knitting burden is light. When we exchange with my side of the family, we have a money limit that makes the holiday affordable and fun. My sister and I started a holiday tradition for our children years ago that the gift would be money (they love that!) and a Christmas ornament. When they leave to start their own families, the