Christmas was a time I wanted to relax and enjoy family and friends. I did not want to spend my time last-minute Christmas shopping, wrapping gifts, or fighting crowds. I learned my lesson very young when my father would take us kids to the store on Christmas Eve to shop for my mother. What a surprise it would be when they did not have what he was looking for. Each year my shopping and decorating was done by December 1.

Thanksgiving weekend my house was decorated for my golfing friends to attend our holiday party. Thanksgiving dinner included 14 or more, but our holiday party included 24 to 30.