The perfect pair

Last year we started what has become a tradition in which we celebrate the 12 days leading up to Christmas by exchanging a stocking stuffer a day. It's fun and brews excitement for the big "C", and who doesn't like to open presents!?!

I went above and beyond the call of duty last year. Not only did I create a scavenger hunt for each stocking stuffer by providing clues to each gift's hiding spot, I coordinated that particular day within the 12 days with the gift. For instance, on the second day of Christmas Hal got a pair of French hens. Just kidding. He got a pair of boxers though. Instead of 11 pipers piping, I gave him 11 scratch off tickets. You get the drift. As fun as it was to be creative with both the gifts and the clues, it was a bit exhausting coordinating it all.

This year, the holidays seemed to arrive all too quickly and I have been feeling a bit rushed. We're still doing our 12 days, and yes, it's still a scavenger hunt but Hal's lucky to be getting even one gift a day as I'm feeling supremely disorganized. Hal claims to be without the creative mind to create a scavenger hunt for me but he did manage to create a really nice surprise for our first day of Christmas. I received the following email at work on Monday:

On you first day of Christmas when you arrive home this evening come in and find the flashlight on the shelf next to the tree. Try not to move it but turn it on. The light should point to the first part of today’s joy and merriment. As you’re looking on with X-Mas joy try to take in the whole scene and maybe you’ll find the second half of your surprise.

It was a clue! To say I was excited and intrigued is an understatement. When I got home that evening, I went to the strategically placed flashlight and clicked it on to find it shining on one of the cutest ornaments we've ever had.

The bride and groom marshmallows are actually sitting atop a piece of chocolate and a graham cracker, the makings of a s'more! Not only is this ornament perfect because it's our first Christmas married, but I had introduced Hal to his first s'more ever. I hugged him with sheer delight because how often does a single gift encompass so much sentimentality.

Then Hal mentioned that this ornament felt incomplete and I should continue looking to find the "missing piece" to our first Christmas as Mr. and Mrs. And there they were!

I have to admit, I look at Hal like that quite often. He's so sweet and thoughtful, he's simply irresistible. Our holidays were off to a good start. And with these two additions, our tree is finally complete.

Happy Holidays!