On the 16th Day of Christmas ………

I took the morning off from the Pain Cave, in order to get to today’s White Elephant event, on time — 12 noon.

I was happy to see so many had brought gifts for the exchange. The table was full of beautifully decorated gifts.

Then there was my plain wrapped gift.

My picking up this plain paper and twine tie at the craft store was a misstep. Though I myself liked the paper, it wasn’t enticing, didn’t scream "PICK Me".

Consequently, though not last to be picked, it was 3 gifts from the last to be chosen, and ended up in the hands of the guy our Karen character used to chase — Dream Lover.

The gift he initially chose turned out to be a purse.

Luckily for him, next to pick — Older Sister wanted the purse, stole it from him.

He next picked a very nice candle and bath towel set.

I stole it from him, whereupon he ended up with jewelry — a bracelet.

Someone then stole the candle/towel set from me that I’d stolen from him.

I ended up with a Travel Mug/Ghirardelli Hot Chocolate Set.

Not too shabby, but I’d rather have kept the candle/towel.

Then Painted Rock Lady stole the jewelry from Dream Lover. With four gifts left to choose from, he picked the baking sets.

No one stole it from him, so he was stuck with it.

No matter. He can regift it to someone else, or just eat the cookie pieces.

All in all, it was a fun event and almost like old times, insofar as the number of attendees. I saw people I’ve not seen in ages, along with a few new faces.

Gift Exchange was actually fourth on the agenda. First being the meal — tamales with all the trimmings.

The room emptied somewhat after the meal, as some came just for the tamales.

Next on the agenda was a fun Guessing Game.

Ten questions were called out. We wrote the answer down on paper and prizes were awarded to those that got the most correct. No one got all ten correct, so prizes went to one resident that got 8 correct and two who got 7 correct.

I only got 4 — It was a tough quiz.

How tough? you ask.

You be the judge.

No cheating, no googling the answers.

Comment your answers and tomorrow/next day, I’ll blog the correct answers.

1) What direction is Santa’s Route, which way does he travel in delivering his satchel of gifts?

2) In the film Scrooge, what was Bob Cratchit’s son’s name?

3) What is made for Christmas but never eaten?

4) What were the very first Christmas Trees decorated with?

5) What is/was traditionally put on top of a Christmas Tree?

6) What was the name of Frosty’s girlfriend?

7) What color is Holly?

8) What Christmas beverage is called Milk Punch?

9) What words follow "Silent Night"?

10) According to the film "It's a Wonderful Life", what happens every time a bell rings?

Then came the Cookie Decorating Competition.

We were given a Christmas Tree shaped cookie and a small female Santa cookie to decorate.

I obviously didn’t put a lot of time or energy into the tree but, taking inspiration from Dawn’s granddaughter Princess T’s cute little Black Santa ........

Princess T's Cookie

...... I made a Black Santa to go along with my Christmas Tree.

My tree didn’t stack up to the Picassos some of the others made, and we weren't being graded on the small cookie, so I wasn’t expecting to win a prize. But then, the Baker gave me a gift, saying it was something she wanted me to have.

Later, taking inspiration from resident Jenne’s naughty cookie ......

Jenne’s naughty cookie

Yes, it's what you're thinking

........ I edited my cookie — gave my girl implants.

Next up was the White Elephant Exchange after which I was out with my loot.

Tomorrow I'm off to Sprout's for specialty items, with a stop by the drug store, as younger sister said the drug store has an Elf Competition — a hidden one on the premises.

It's possible she's confusing the drug store with the market, but I feel the need to check it out.