So, like pretty much everyone I know, I've been eyeball-deep in holiday preparations. Last year was the Holiday To End All Holidays and - haha - it pretty much did end all holidays. It did not end well. So this year, still recovering from last, I've been slow to ramp up and get in the spirit.

When you have seven kids to shop for, Christmas is a full time job. I like to shop. A lot. And I love to give gifts. A lot lot. And it is one of two days a year my kids are totally spoiled and I think they have earned it. Or I have earned it. One of the two. So in order to maximize the dollar, Christmas requires a lot of pre-planning and frugality. Well, at least it does for me.

There are gift lists to collect, Santa wishes to nail down (hint: the earlier you take them to see Santa, the earlier you can firm up that one special wish and simply say "Sorry, you already told Santa what you wanted, no changing your mind now!!), purchases to bargain-shop for, online and off. Then there is tracking the packages, keeping tabs on what comes in and what still needs to be purchased. I feel like a warehouse. Plus throw in our annual traditions and the occasional insane desire to start a new one and it makes for a jam-packed couple of months.

So in the spirit of the holidays, share with me (either on your own blog or in my comments) a few things:

• What is the one holiday ritual you would absolutely never give up?
  
  
• What is the part of the holidays you find the most tedious and exhausting?
  
  
• What is the worst or weirdest gift you have ever received?
  
  
• What is the most memorable gift you have ever received?
  
  
• What is the one thing you do to make organizing your holiday a little bit easier?
  
  
• If you could make one holiday wish, this year, what would it be?