When gift-giving is like math . . .

I’ve finally started wrapping the Christmas presents. It’s something I enjoy, but the math part is kind of stressful this year. Math, you say? Yep. I have two children. And I want to be fair. That means, they need to have approximately the same number of gifts, and the gifts need to equal roughly the same amount of money. So I spread everything out, and I’m adding, I’m combining. If I put this with that, then it’s only one present to unwrap. When the kids open their gifts on Christmas morning, I don’t want one to be opening a whole stack of bags and boxes while the other is done in seconds.

One kid wants cash. How many bills, in what denominations and number of boxes will it take to equal the gifts for the other kid? I don’t know . . . it sounds too much like a college algebra problem to me. I’m a writer. I don’t do numbers. I do words!

But I also do gifts. I really like to give presents, and to watch people open them. On Christmas, I don’t want to rip through all the presents in one big, chaotic frenzy. I want to savor the unwrapping. I like to delight the recipient. I want to see their face, and know that I’ve chosen well. At parties with a round-robin gift exchange, I’m always disappointed if my gift isn’t one that’s coveted, and “stolen” by others.

I think I did a pretty good job this year! So if I’m a little off on my math, hopefully everyone will be too busy enjoying their awesome gifts to notice!

It's Cookie Time

I’m not a cook, but I do like cookies. Often people mistake me for a cook because I also like to make cookies. The sad fact is, it’s the one and only culinary talent I possess.

At holidays, especially Christmas, I make anywhere from eight to twelve dozen sugar cookies – the kind you chill, then roll out and cut and bake, then frost and decorate. It’s kind of a long process, three days, minimum, with many frosting sessions.

The baked cookies can be frozen, but once they’ve been frosted, freezing isn’t an option. That means I have to carefully schedule when I frost the cookies for each person or event I’m taking them to. I actually write this down, which is probably one of the reasons people can’t believe that when it comes to writing I’m a “pantser” rather than a “plotter.” (meaning I don’t outline and sketch out the entire story before writing it)

Baking holiday cookies is actually a little creative outlet for me, too. Each one (well, some, anyway) is a tiny piece of edible art. I’ve been told they’re too pretty to eat. But then, I haven’t seen too many people having trouble eating them!

Happy holidays, everyone! Wishing you fun times with family and friends, good books –and, of course, cookies!

A Little Christmas Excerpt

Christmas is in the air! So far, I've attended a holiday concert, bought all the ingredients for starting on sugar cookies, bought gifts, and got the tree! In honor of the season, thought I'd share a short Christmas excerpt from my sweet contemporary romance, Meetings of Chance. Merry, merry!

When Julie opened the oven door, Megan caught a sharp whiff of cinnamon. “Mmm, that smells wonderful,” Megan said. “What’s in there?”
Tom turned back to them. “Mom’s famous pumpkin pie. A Christmas tradition.”

Hands on his hips, he looked around. “So, Mom, speaking of traditions, where’s the mistletoe?” Tom demanded. “The one year I could use some mistletoe and you don’t have any?”
“Sorry. Guess I forgot that little detail.”
Tom’s dad turned from the television. “Kiss her anyway, son. It’s all right.”
“If you insist.”

Before Megan could object, Tom took her hand, pulled her off the bar stool, and twirled her around. Dipping her backward as if they were dancing, he planted a firm kiss on her lips. Then he grabbed his mother, and swung her around, too.
“My two favorite ladies . . .”
Julie laughed, patting down her hair. “My goodness. What’s gotten into you?”
He grinned at her, and spun Megan again, whispering in her ear, “I’m in love.”

Bookstore Shopping is Fun Shopping!

Well, darn. I couldn’t get all of my Christmas shopping done at bookstores. But it was close! Had to break down and buy a couple today at your basic shops like Macy’s and Eddie Bauer. Unfortunately, that required a trek to the Mall. Happily, though, while I was there, I also bought two gifts from Barnes & Noble. 

So I have now purchased multiple items from three local bookstores, and I got really good stuff. I love these bookstores that carry cool office supplies, cute kids’ crafts and games, note cards, picture frames, calendars, stocking stuffers, puzzles, etc. It’s amazing how many gifts you can knock out in one awesome bookstore! 

If you haven’t finished your shopping (and, really, who has?), don’t forget that books make great gifts, but most bookstores these days offer a whole lot more as well! Shop local, and let’s keep our wonderful bookstores in business! And just think, while you're there, you get to browse shelf after shelf of books! What's not to like about that?!