Bargain Xmas Shopping

[xxxmx]

shopping is so easy. i only buy for immediate family and we all get each other the same stuff every year; everyone gets a Hallmark ornament, book or cd (or vinyl, in my case), bottle of wine, and kitchen gadget. everyone ends up costing $50 and who doesn't love kitchen gadgets?

the friends get homemade things. last year i needlepointed wall hangings bearing such classic phrases as 'welcome - i'm easy' and 'eff off and die' on them. so cute. this year, i'm baking fortune cookies and putting special notes and pictures inside. drop them into a take-out containter, tie with striped ribbon, done.