In the other thread about last minute Christmas gift ideas, I mentioned that my favorite gift was an "invitational." My husband invited a circle of musicians over for an evening of music, and it was a treat for all of us. I love to give, but this was also a great thing to get.

I wasn't going to post to this thread because my feelings about Christmas time are so complex, but I do love the season. The giving and getting, the decorations, the music, the crowds in the malls, the frantic pace, special foods, everything except the nostalgia for Christmases past when folks were together that are no longer here.