I did DIY gift labels last year as well as DIY invites for the New Year’s party. If there’s one thing I learned last year: I’m not doing DIY this year. Also, no one even looked at the gift tags.

I’m not quite sure that we’ll do a full–on party this year, but we plan on hosting people for dinners and we plan on attending the 17 to 30 family parties that happen between Thanksgiving and New Year’s.

I’ve always been a last–minute planner and gift giver. Sure, there are 364 days before Christmas. Sure, it happens on the same day EVERY YEAR. But I don’t work in terms of days or weeks. Usually on December 23rd I’ll sneak out in a panic and shop for everybody on my list. Which explains why Jon gets socks. Or a package of white T–shirts. This is why we’ve gone to approved item lists. Jon sends me his list, with links to where I can buy his list, and I tell him to visit Etsy.com.

Leta is a little older this year, so this holiday season we’re doing more that involves her. She’s been curious as to where exactly Christmas falls on the calendar, but since she’s still fuzzy on the concept of dates I’ve told her that it’s after both Halloween and a day called Thanksgiving when we eat food she wouldn’t touch with a ten–foot stick.

This year Jon and I probably won’t exchange gifts. Leta will still receive a somewhat smaller haul, but given the state of things we might not need some of the things we’d likely get for each other. Like another gadget (with cables) or another hippo figurine. Even though I’m thinking about a third dog, I doubt this is the year that is going to happen.