Christmas shopping

It is December 16, 2008 and I'm not finished yet.  Kids get more expensive as they get older.  I remember a time when I could walk into a Toys R Us - spend a little money and have a whole buggy full of toys.  Now my son wants video games that are 60.00 a piece, my daughter wants an iPod (hers was stolen).  An iPod alone costs 150.00 and yes she is getting it.  Spoiled?  No, not really.  She truly loved her iPod and used it on a daily basis.  She saved up the money herself to buy it.  Sadly,  it was stolen and this is something she really used.  I would rather pay more money and get them something you know they will still be using in a year.  So she's getting an iPod along with everything else - lol.  I usually buy too much but I love buying for my kids.   I love Christmas time.  It is one of my favorite holidays and it has nothing to do with the gift giving.  Everyone seems nicer around Christmas, families get together, cookie baking.  I love it all.

I will be baking cookies this weekend and I'm anxious to see if my daughter (11 1/2 going on 16) will want to help.  She always has in the past but lately she doesn't want to hang around mom so much.  We shall see - I plan on making Peanut Butter Blossoms (peanut butter cookie with a Hershey's Kiss in the middle, my husband's favorite oatmeal raisin (his grandmother's recipe and they are SOOOO GOOD) and of course Sugar Cookies.  Do you have a favorite recipe?  Tell me and I will post it.  I am curious to know what your family traditions are at Christmas also.  We always have sausage pinwheels for Christmas breakfast every year.  Not much of a tradition but it is something my kids expect - lol.  I hope to get lots of recipes from everyone!!  Merry Christmas!