We returned to the Foothills of the Sierras when our children were very young and built a home at 2010 Upper Black Rock Road.

For many years, a stone with etched numbers and letters hung at the entry of our drive. When we sold the home, our youngest son and his wife hung the old sign at their home just 15-miles up the road.

We have been gone from the Cool home for over 6-years now, but during our time in Cool, the address number meant only a way for people to find us… Until this year…

A facebook post by our son on January 1st read:

This was the old road sign from the house in Cool. I’ve had it since mom and dad moved. It was on a tree at the end of my driveway. A storm blew it off the tree and it broke. So I set it in concrete and finished it with pea gravel. I was looking at it the other day and it dawned on me that the address was 2010. I then had a great feeling overwhelm me that this our year. 2010 is the year for the Christensen family. Just thought I would share this with everyone. Happy New Year.

It is strange to look at a picture the old sign and then reflect on the memories that the address holds for Sarah and I…

It is now 2010, just like our old address, and our children are building their own memories at several different addresses across the country.

This rock sign, broken and repaired, represents so many great events and an enduring love. It is nice that it has been preserved to witness many more great memories…
We wish each of you a Happy and Memorable 2010!

Gift exchange parties are full of hot air…

Especially parties that carry the Dirty Santa or Dirty Thieving Santa moniker.
You see, these are the gag-gift cousins of the tamer and more common White Elephant Exchange or Yankee Swap.

The “dirty” implication is associated with the “stealing” portion of these gift exchange events. Gifts are opened by random players and then subsequent players can swap or “steal” from those who have gone before.

The gifts that create the most banter are usually the weird gifts that can be associated with something funny. Gifts that can prompt a conversation will make the party more lively and will pull more guest into the fun.

Many Dirty Santa, Yankee Swap and White Elephant parties are hosted with a theme of some sort.  This way, the conversation can share a common subject line and sets the scene for creative conversation.

Lets assume that you have a fun group of friends and it is time to share gifts among them; It could be Christmas, Valentines Day or St. Patty’s day… Just pick an unusual theme and then let them shop creatively for gifts that would releate.

For example:  Choose the theme   “HOT AIR” and send out the party invitations…

We entered the AlbinoPhant Markets and found a few items that could be associated with HOT AIR…

As you can see, the shopping could be as fun as the actual game, with players planning their explanations as to how the gift  relates to HOT AIR.  Then, these explanations, during the game, will build the banter and the fun conversation into the party.  
It is the conversation, that is built around creative shopping, that makes the Dirty Santa and the White Elephant exchange social explosions.

Now, be creative and bold… Host a gift exchange party with a unique theme and watch what Hot Air blows your way!