Our extended family Christmas get together was yesterday. A good time was had by all

Total of 23 people - short by three people who weren't there. It was the first Christmas without Mom so I'm counting her as one of the missing. My boyfriend and an uncle didn't make it. Both of them were down with the flu/bad cold. Of the people that were there most were little tikes. The eldest child was 13, then 9, two 5 year old, and one 4,3,2 1 and a 6 month old! It was a lively gathering But at a house that is totally childproofed so no worries there!

We keep the presents down to a minimum. Most of us contribute to the kids gift (each child gets one gift at this event), and each adult brings a gift for the Killer Kringle game that the adults play. Reducing Christmas presents in this way has been a godsend. The focus is on being together rather than "what did I get". My contribution to the Killer Kringle was a toaster Felt like I was going to a bridal shower when I bought that but it was a popular item being stolen at least once - a cousin needs a toaster it seems

My contribution to the food was a make-ahead carrot dish - I've just posted the recipe to recipezaar and am waiting for it to be approved - as I mixed a few recipes together to come up with the finished product. Got lots of good comments on the dish. Easy and not too expensive. Would have been less expensive had I swapped baby carrots for regular carrots and taken the time to cut and peel them, but I was a bit strapped for time.