Another RevGals meme

1. What is the best gift you received this year? (Tangible gifts only, please!)
Hmmn..hard to choose, but suspect it might be (madly) a seriously cute teddy bear from TeenWonder, who, I'm told is a tenor, and has therefore been named Bostridge after the divine Ian. Less eccentrically, I also received a lovely framed Victorian engraving of St M's from R, the mum in a wheelchair, and her parents....that really is extra special and all I need to do is find some vacant wall so I can hang it. Poor LongsufferingClockmaker is grinding his teeth because the supposedly fool proof budget digital camera he bought me refuses to take pictures indoors, rendering it more or less useless for any photography I might fancy...Does anyone have any tips for a really user friendly digital camera that operates in all conditions, but won't break the family bank? Because of irritating plastic packaging, there's no way we'll be able to get the sad original exchanged. Grrrr.

2. What is the best gift you gave this year?
That would be LoudBoy's bass...he had no idea it was coming, as it was an ebay coup, and he was beside himself. Almost speechless for a good 5 seconds!

3. When did you do most of your shopping/creating?
Rather late. Had a spree online about 2 weeks ago, then some fun shopping on the Wednesday before Christmas. Thanks to one wonderful shop just round the corner, this really was enjoyable. I found a candle bearing griffon for LongsufferingClockmaker and a velvet bag that made DarlingDaughter go weak at the knees, sitting right next to each other. Both ideal. Both totally unexpected (who, after all, goes looking for a candle bearing griffon?). I'm creating right now, as LoudBoy has decided that he is longing for a Dr Who scarf, in honour of the recent revival...so I'm rediscovering knitting after a good 17 years out. Just basic back and forth, though, nothing fancy like my clever knitting friends...but still fun and restful.

4. Did you go shopping the day after Thanksgiving (U.S.)? Today?
No! Absolutely not! We're only going at all this week because poor DarlingDaughter is working in the local department store and we've promised to visit and take her out to lunch on Thursday. Oh, and I guess we might try and resolve the digital camera question.

5. What stands out already about Christmas 2005?
That has to be celebrating Midnight Mass...sorry to be predictable! And how very lovely it is to spend time with my family just doing nothing. Why is that such a rare occurrence?