I've resigned myself to being the family photographer and was ready with a fully charged battery in my camera to take pictures. Unfortunately, due to a few unforeseen factors and some family members not feeling 100%, the big group family picture did not occur. I didn't realize how disappointed I was over this until the party started winding down and people headed home. I know this photo NEVER turns out as great as I would like it, but it still happens each year. And let me tell you, this family Hanukkah party has been going on for decades. That's a lot of group photos being taken over the years and a really cool visual of how the family is growing. Given that I am one of the newer members to enter this family (9 years young in attendance), I didn't push the issue and simply said, "Next year for sure we will make the picture happen."
The gift exchange at the family Hanukkah party has evolved over the years. It's gone from gifts being bought by everyone and given to everyone, to names getting picked with each kid getting 2 presents from other relatives, and finally, the most recent evolution, putting the money you'd spend on gifts and donate to a worthy charity. This current season the two matriarchs (Marcia - my MIL and Miriam) decided to do something different. They took care of everything and surprised us with a White Elephant Gift Exchange. We all gathered together and listened to Aunt Miriam explain the rules. She would start at the person closest to her (SAM!) and hand a gift covered in a white bag to the person. The next person after them, has the opportunity to steal the first person's gift if they so wish. It continues this way until everyone has been given a gift and can decide to "steal" one they like better.
The unique twist to this White Elephant gift exchange was that all the gifts were food items! Only we didn't know that until the gifts started getting opened. The food items were all a little over-the-top and quirky. Not the typical things you'd buy yourself. For example, a bulk size container of peanut butter filled pretzels. Or, a gigantic container of cheese balls. It was an eclectic mix of stuff you'd find at Costco or Trader Joes.
As Sam was the first to go, no one knew what to expect. Sam opened her bag and discovered she was given 6 ginormous Hershey chocolate bars. You would think Sam was just given the keys to the city (or more appropriately for her world, keys to a Toys R Us.). WOWEE! The expression on her face was priceless. Her eyes got as big as saucers and her smile went from ear to ear. I am pretty certain there is not another item given to her that would've have this same effect. It was like she had died and gone to chocolate Heaven.
Now, here's the thing, the person slated to go next, the one sitting next to Sam had the chance to steal this item. Fortunately for Sam, this person was Jeff. And he knew better than to touch the bars of gold firmly grasped in her hands. Word quickly spread that if anyone in the room attempted to "steal" Sam's chocolate, they weren't going to succeed. I made the comment that even if everyone ganged up as a group to go after the Hershey bars, I'd still place my money on Sam keeping the chocolate. :)
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| Sam's most excellent present. |
The White Elephant Gift Exchange gave the Hanukkah party a spark to it that it hadn't had before. It brought everyone in to one room and we all were really interested to see what each person was going to open up and get. After each unwrapping, there would be a whole new round of laughter. The only time someone exercised their right to "steal" was when they got the cheese balls. Those poor cheese balls must've passed through about 6 different people's hands. It was very funny to see who ended up with the cheese balls.
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| Ian was the first one to get the cheese balls. |
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| Joe was the lucky guy to take the cheese balls home. |
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