Thank you Sally for my cookbook! I LOVE to cook and bake and can't wait to get started on some of the recipes. The Patterns of New Zealand tea towels are gorgeous. They are on display in my dining room!

I was rholmes27's Secret Santa. I read on Elster that you love to read and watch old movies, so I thought the "Hollywood Stories" book would be a fun read. I hope you enjoy it!

I received my gifts. I received a book and the cutest doggy pin.

There are some lovely gifts, very thoughtful indeed!

I was Debbie's Secret Santa, but when I did a search for Debbie on the YLF forum--to get a sense of what she liked--I got Deb's name instead. Hence, the terrier pin, and my hidden shock at Deb's gift of tea! Sorry about the confusion.

I am late to this thread but my gift arrived very early and it is so spot on that I have to think my Secret Santa must be someone who knows me very well! Here are pics of the beautiful gift bag, sweet note, fun skinny velvet scarf, and jewelry holder containing a fab marcasite "scales of justice" pin that is not only appropriate to my legal job, but is also my astrological sign (Libra)! Perfection! I just bought a new coat and once it's back from the tailor (sleeve alteration) I plan to wear my new pin on te lapel of my coat every day! Thank you so much!

And Suz, hang in there! I am your Secret Santa and didn't get your package in the mail on time!! According to USPS tracking it is at your local post office so hopefully you will have it tomorrow! SO SORRY!!

I think there are a couple of gifts close to arriving - for Suz, Chris, Helen and Jane (she has not checked in yet to let us know).

Mary - I know who your Santa is and she did a super job!!

Still waiting for my SS to reveal herself!!!! Can't wait!!

I just checked an my gift hasn't arrived yet. It's dark now and we're leaving quite early tomorrow for the airport so I don't think there is much chance of a UPS or USPS delivery between now and when we leave although I will certainly check in the morning. We'll be gone until the 30th. I hope Santa picked something that can sit outside in very cold weather for a few days..if not then we have a problem. I do have a neighbor coming over to feed the cats, I could leave him instructions on what to look for if Santa sent it by UPS where it will end up on my deck.

If Santa sent it via USPS then I'll get it when we get back since we're having our mail held.

Not quite sure of the best way to proceed...maybe it's time for my santa to PM me ..or maybe Sally/Kiwigal could act as intermediary.I certainly do appreciate the good intentions...

SQUEE!!!

Best Secret Santa ever!!

If you're a long-time veteran on YLF, you will know that this is the second time that Ms. Mary has served as Secret Santa to me. And let it be known -- hear ye, hear ye -- she is the Queen of the Order of the Special Secret Santa Scarf.

In my first YLF Christmas, she sent me an amazing calendar featuring my own outfit photos, along with what I soon came to call the "magic" scarf. It was a true wild card. A real mélange of colours and tones, but with golds, tomato reds, and olives predominating, it looked at first like something I'd never find a way to wear.

Ummm...people, I hardly took it off for four years. Seriously...there are more outfits of me in that darn scarf than any other article of clothing I own!! (See it in photo 7) I loved that thing!! Yet it was something I probably would not have bought for myself.

This year, I finally had to retire it, with sobs, because I had already mended several holes and it just wasn't looking its best any more.

Santa to the rescue!! Not only did she send me some yummy mints in a pretty box and some delicious chocolate, but she also sent another wild card scarf!!

This one is a denim blue with white flecks, a big infinity shawl/ scarf, with lots of fringe. The kind of thing I probably wouldn't have picked up because I would have imagined the fringe would be "too much."

Ha!! No sooner did I try this baby on than I realized that it works with almost every coat I own and is so cozy and warm I will probably leave it on all winter!

Quick try-ons here but I will try to get better pics tomorrow in the light.

Thank you, Santa!!

Thank you, Chris!

You are most welcome, Elly! I am not very good at picking out clothes even when I know the recipient well, so I wanted to try a different angle. I looked at some past postings of yours and read about your work with archeological artifacts and your fairly recent move to Arizona. I spent about 10 years visiting my in-laws in Sedona every year and quickly came to adore the southwestern landscape, especially the beautiful colors of the desert. With you being an artist (another thing I learned in an older posting), and with adult coloring books being so popular, I pulled together my gift idea. There was quite a selection on Amazon I also knew that the "colored pencils" I played with in a few art classes in college had evolved into something more interesting over the years. You'll have to post some photos once you do some coloring!

Absolutely Killer Delightful. Wow! I loved reading through this very thoughtful thread and assortment of gifts. Thank you sooo much for organizing, Sally.

*happy sigh*

My Santa (Debbie) has reached out and we're all set....when I get back from my trip on 12/30 the gift should be waiting in the pile of mail the post office will be holding. I'll give an update then Thanks Santa!

I will also reveal my identity as Deb's Secret Santa.

My trick was order from the US website instead of the Canadian one and to mail the package from the United States instead of from Canada. The downside was there was no pretty wrapping available with this method of sending -- but I did not have to put my name on the box for Customs, as is usually the case when shipping between countries.

Deb, I wanted to get a "style" related gift but searched in vain for something in "our" cranberry red. So tea to the rescue. I hope it's warming and soothing for you!

Suz, your gift is perfect! Thank you so much and the US mailing system worked perfectly.

Suz, I knew you had a new lavender coat and I was hoping the navy scarf would work with it! Yay!!

Sorry, MsMary. I missed this thread -- I was your Secret Santa.

I'm glad you like the pin especially. Funnily enough, I am also a lawyer and a Libra. So I always have an eye out for scales of justice items. I did know you were a lawyer but did not know you were also Libra so that's doubly appropriate.

Also, thank you, CrazyOne, I really liked my gift and have already been putting it to use.

UmmLila! You rocked it so hard! Thanks so much! And so fun about both of us being lawyers and Libras!

I have opened my gifts earlier today and they are perfect. Thank you so much Renah. I have three lovely pairs of long knee socks, in great colours with J embroidered on them. Perfect, as I can keep my feet snug and warm on my commute. So thoughtful. A lovely lip gloss, in a pink, which is perfect for my colouring. Then a lovely colouring book with skylines of cities. Just delightful! Wonderful thoughtful choices and very much appreciated.

My sincere apologies for being late to the party. Long story, but I made it!

Thank you Renah and YLF. Thank you so much to Sally for organising.

Awesome loot peeps

My gift arrived today!
Thank you to Jane, who had been in touch with me to say the parcel would be late. When the postman came today I was expecting something else so it was a lovely surprise.
I had two little helpers who were very excited to see multiple presents in Christmas wrapping come out of the brown paper package.

Will be back to post photos!

So pleased it's finally arrived. So pleased your girls enjoyed opening it with you.

It took me a while to get back, sorry.
Thanks again Jane!