Family pictures and Secret Sister

We had our family pictures done about a month ago. I am going to intersperse the photos with my ramblings about my secret sister experience to entice you to keep reading.  There is also a connection between the two, doesn't that make you want to read every word??

This year I participated in the 4th annual secret sister gift exchange for my church. You have to spend a minimum of $15, give 12 gifts with gift 4 requirements.  You must give her an advent calendar, her favorite candy, something with her favorite color, and something with her initial, then come up with 8 more gifts.

You are to use any and every skill you have, shop from home, and be creative.  We each had to fill out a 70 question survey to provide information so the gifts could be personal. This year I think we started preparing back in August.  A lot of the women bring their best work. Hand knitted, hand sewn, hand painted, hand made, hand baked gifts.  It is very overwhelming and takes months to prepare.

I agonized for months over the woman I had, I gave her six handmade gifts and six purchased gifts.

Last night was the big reveal party.  We were instructed to bring all the gifts, individually wrapped, in a big black trash bag so it remained a secret.

Then we each opened one present at a time and showed the group what we received.

This year I was absolutely blown away by the gifts I received.  The girl who had me gave me everything based on my survey.  She also happened to be the wife of the photographer who took my family pictures and my last gift of the night was a canvas print of my family along with a DVD of all the pictures from the photo shoot. I screamed and cried, it was a little embarrassing.  This is the picture she had blown up:

I was very spoiled, the gifts were so thoughtful and wonderful.

Indulge me while I list the gifts she gave me:
1.  Advent calendar filled with reese's cups.
2. Nail stickers, nail polish, and manicure set.
3. Banana bread and homemade jam.
4. Six pack of cream soda (my favorite soda) dressed up as reindeer.
5. Monogrammed stationary set with "Pitcavage" labels.
6.  Subscription to my favorite magazine.
7.  Ice cream sundae kit with homemade chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, sprinkles, cherries, etc.
8. A jar of date ideas with a gift certificate for one night of babysitting.
9.  My favorite candle and room spray from bath and body works.
10. Hand made microwaveable rice heating pad.
11. Binder of tried and true recipes.
12. Canvas print of my family photo with DVD of all the pictures from the photo shoot.

I can't tell you how happy this night made me. It was so worth the months of preparation.  What a lovely way to start the Christmas season, it was even motivation for me to participate again next year.  (Each year I declare that I will never do this again, this year it was peer pressure that made me do it.  Next year I will do it because someone was so thoughtful that I have to pay it forward.)